Eric Bronson,
Sheep Producer (VA)

Eric Bronson is a first-generation sheep producer based in Charles City, Virginia. After studying at Montana State University in Bozeman and gaining experience managing a cattle operation in Goochland, Virginia, Bronson began building his own sheep operation from the ground up.

Facing intense competition for agricultural land in a corn- and soybean-heavy region, he turned to sheep as a more adaptable and profitable fit for the smaller, varied parcels he was able to lease.

Over time, Bronson found a natural opportunity in solar grazing, using sheep to manage vegetation on solar sites. He began exploring the field around 2015, when the practice was still unfamiliar to many utilities and developers, and eventually secured his first contract after persistent outreach and learning from peers in the industry. Today, he is a full-time sheep producer.

For Bronson, solar grazing has provided a more stable year-round cash flow while creating a high-welfare environment for his flock, with solar panels offering valuable shade during Virginia’s hot, humid summers. His experience has required learning not only sheep management in a challenging climate, but also the language, safety practices, and operational demands of active power-generation sites. Through persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to navigate a new industry, Bronson has helped demonstrate the practical value of integrating sheep grazing with solar energy production.