23-04-2025
PHOTOS: Sheep graze under solar panels at Mount St. John
BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (WDTN) — Some wooly weed-whackers were set loose this week, with the hope that their appetites will keep vegetation under control.
About 50 sheep have arrived in the grassy field surrounding Mount Saint John's solar array on Shakertown Road.
The center first installed hundreds of solar panels two years ago, with the goal of powering their entire campus with sustainable energy. Now, some sheep will join the green initiative.
The Catholic community of brothers and priests say the late Pope Francis inspired Mount Saint John to 'care for our common home,' something he encouraged in a book he wrote, 'Laudato Si.'
'This was one of the things the Marianists were kind of looking at, what can we do to live up to those challenges in 'Laudato Si,'' said Jeff Bohrer, Mount St. John facilities director. 'This came out to be a big way really for our campus to do that, and so we're very appreciative of the Marianists supporting, caring for the earth and really trying to follow up on Pope Francis' call for us.'
Tell Me Good News: Mount St. John goes green, installs hundreds of solar panels
Bohrer says energy usage for Mount Saint John and the Bergamo Conference Center is now net zero, meaning on an annual basis, they generate all of the electricity they need from their renewable sources.
The sheep are expected to continue grazing for the next week or so.
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