Sheep come to Herbruck's

Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch has implemented its newest innovation, a grass-cutting tool that doesn’t require gasoline or oil changes and that aerates grounds and spreads natural fertilizer: Sheep.

The sheep – Apple, Flopsy, Flora, Patches, Sarah and Wendy (if you’re counting sheep, that’s six total) – will work as lawnmowers at the Herbruck’s Green Meadow Organics facility in Saranac this summer to maintain the vegetation around the 2-acre solar array that will be complete in August.

“Just like our solar array, the sheep will lessen our impact on the environment by cutting down on our fossil fuel usage,” said Cody Herbruck, senior manager of capital expenses at Herbruck’s. “We’re excited these four-legged, fluffy lawnmowers with a good home while implementing a simple tactic that helps us on our mission to make the world a greener place.”

The sheep, which arrived at Herbruck’s in late June, will maintain the greenery around the solar panels which are spread over eight acres. The array will produce enough electricity to meet about a quarter of the power demand for the Green Meadow Organics facility. The facility was launched in 2008 by Herbruck’s to produce premium organic, cage-free eggs and all-natural fertilizers.