Conestoga College hiring a group of 'lamb-scapers'
A flock of about ten sheep will join the grounds keeping crew at Conestoga College this spring to maintain the vegetation growing under the solar panels at the Cambridge-Fountain Street campus.
The school said it’s hiring the “lamb-scapers” for a two-year trial period from All Sorts Acres farm in Grey County.
“It presents a unique opportunity to integrate urban agriculture at Conestoga while eliminating the need for herbicides and gas-powered landscaping equipment,” said Samantha Tremmel Lamb, environmental sustainability and energy performance manager at Conestoga, in a news release.
Starting in early June, the sheep will be on-site for a two-week period within the fenced area surrounding the solar field.
An on-site shepherd will accompany them and bring them back to munch on the vegetation a couple of more times before fall.
The first year of this pilot project will focus on setup and implementation, and the second will introduce educational and engagement opportunities, Conestoga said.
The college said there are many benefits to this program.
Vegetation will be controlled under the solar panels where it’s difficult to mow, and the sheep could also contribute to the college by providing fertilizer for campus gardens and green spaces.
The plan is to integrate the shepherds and sheep into educational opportunities.
Conestoga said there are no known solar grazing initiatives in Waterloo Region, making it the first in the region and the first post-secondary institution in Ontario to do this.
The solar field’s 1,800 panels generate about 750,000 kWh of renewable energy per year, which is the equivalent of electricity for 66 homes for one year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.