How sheep are bringing the “farm” to solar farms in Ogden

by Mike Zale, Ogden Town Supervisor

Sheep and solar energy. Until recently, I never would have imagined how these two very different things could be linked. That is, until Town Clerk Noelle Burley, Assistant Building Inspector Sue Duggan and I took an impromptu workday field trip to a local solar site on Whittier Road to meet with a farmer who is revolutionizing the way we utilize land for both agriculture and industrial purposes in the town.

When we arrived at the solar field, we were greeted by Olesya Haze, owner of TIM Farms, and her flock of sheep. Within the confines of the perimeter fences, the flock happily devoured grass and other vegetation growing amid the solar panels, not the least bit concerned by the onlooking spectators.

It’s called solar grazing, also known as agrivoltaics, the practice of simultaneous use of land for solar panels and agriculture. TIM Farms launched in 2018, when the owners moved to Ogden and pur- chased their first sheep. Since then, their flock has grown exponentially, and they have begun selling their stock and whole lamb to the local community and beyond.

With an eye for pasture, they noticed all the unutilized vegetation within solar fields as prime landscape for sheep grazing. They contacted the owners of these solar sites and proposed a collaborative approach that would bring the “farm” to the solar farm. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and their flock now provides vegetation management services at the neighboring solar site on Whittier Road.

Overgrown vegetation can shade and damage solar panels, so these sites must be regularly maintained. The standard mowing approach is both costly and tedious, and the land beneath the panels serves no real purpose.

That’s where the sheep come in. They consume the grass, weeds, tree seedlings and other veg- etation, keeping the panels in peak operation. In turn, the panels provide shade on hot summer days, and shelter from the rain. The sheep also play a vital role in improving the soil, echoing the success of strip mine reclamation programs that restore degraded lands.

TIM Farms solar sheep project is among the first in our region and I’m sure it won’t be the last. It truly demonstrates the potential of combining energy with agriculture and maximizing land use for everyone’s benefit. It’s a win for the sheep, the farmers, and the owners of the solar fields.

Thank you to Olesya for allowing us to come by for a visit and for teaching us about this fascinating method. It’s a good day when you learn something new and get to feed alfalfa to a flock of sheep. We look forward to visiting again soon.

Spencerport CSD teacher arrested

Ian Milam, a math teacher at Spencerport’s Cosgrove Middle School, has been arrested and is being charged with crimes involving the production, receipt, possession of child pornography, and transfer of obscene material to a minor.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that on May 3, 2023, the Greece Police Department received a report that a sexually explicit video was discovered on a 12-year-old girl’s phone. The girl allegedly received the video from her friend, an 11-yearold girl. Subsequent investigation determined that Snapchat accounts with usernames “matteckler” and “mikeywikey37” had been contacting the two minor girls.

Search warrants traced the materials to defendant Milam, who allegedly posed as a high school student in the Spencerport School District and sent sexually explicit photos and videos to the 11-year-old. Milam is also accused of manipulating her into sending a photo via Snapchat of herself in a tank top. Investigators also uncovered numerous sexually explicit conversations between “matteckler” or “mikeywikey37” and other Snapchat users who appeared to be minors. Milam is also accused of coercing a 12-year-old girl to send sexually explicit photos to him.

Milam made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen on August 9 and is being held pending a detention hearing on August 14.

Milam joined the Spencerport Central School District in 2018 and has served as an elementary and middle school teacher. He has been placed

Newsmakers

The following students were named to the 2023 spring presidents list at SUNY Genesee Community College:

•Natalie Utz of Bergen

•Emily Johnson of Bergen

•Kaitlyn Windhauser of Bergen

•Fayth Norway of Hamlin

•Laura Ellsmore of Holley

•Tatum Gagne of Holley

•Olivia Miller of Holley

•Madelyn St. John of Holley

•Melania Towner of Holley

•Sara Kingdollar of Holley

•Brendi Nunnenkamp of Holley

•Erica Sampson of North Chili

•Abigail Algarin of North Chili

•Breanna Fox of Rochester

•Terence Kurtz of Rochester

• Daniel Ziegler of Rochester (14624)

• David Ziegler of Rochester (14624)

•Elena Ford of Rochester (14624)

• Stephanie Dalba of Rochester (14624) on administrative leave and had his access revoked to all district electronic resources and buildings. Further, he has been directed not to have any contact with SCSD students, staff, or families.

•Nina Lacey of Rochester (14624).

In a letter to the district, Spencerport Superintedent Ty Zinkiewich said, “The district was never given any reason to suspect illegal or inappropriate behavior by Milam in any way. A background check and employment screening are required prior to hiring. His screening included a search of the New York State Sex Offender Registry. That screening came through with the approval from the State Education Department.”

The district is working with investigators to determine whether any Spencerport students may be involved, and is encouraging families with students who may have had him as a teacher or advisor to ask about their online activity.

Zinkiewich said the district has launched an internal review, and that any official release of information will come from law enforcement. “Our priority will be to our students and maintaining the integrity of the FBI investigation,” he said.

If any members of the public have information regarding Milam or the Snapchat accounts “matteckler” or “mikeywikey37,” please contact the FBI at 585-279-0085.

The Department of Justice also reminds the community that the fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Fundraiser planned to benefit equine therapy program

A Food Truck Rodeo, Cornhole Tournament and Vendor Fair will be held Sunday, August 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hamlin VFW, 1739 Lake Road, Hamlin. The event benefits Before the Last Call, an equine therapy program for first responders and veterans that is based in Kendall.

Team registration for the Cornhole Tournament begins at 11 a.m. Bags fly and the fair begins at noon. The event also includes a Chinese Auction, 50/50 raffles, pony rides, and more.

All proceeds raised go directly towards helping Before the Last Call provide equine therapy free of charge to our nation’s and community’s heroes.

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Volunteer to transcribe books into Braille

The Spencerport Lions Braille Service will be offering Braille Transcription classes at the Gates/ Spencerport Ambulance building at 116 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport. Classes will start on Thursday, September 14, 2023 and will meet weekly, Thursday mornings, through May.

Olivia Petronio of Spencerport, was named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Brockport High School, she is the daughter of Frank Petronio and Martha David of Spencerport.

Eric Velez of Hilton, graduated in May 2023 with a master of science degree in health, physical education, and recreation from Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas.

The following students were named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at St. Lawrence University.

•Carly Baker of Rochester. Baker is majoring in philosophy. Baker attended Hilton Central High School.

•Keara Conolly of Hilton. Conolly is majoring in psychology and Hispanic studies. Conolly attended Hilton Central High School.

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There is a nominal cost for the course, however the student will be provided with an instructor, instruction materials, Braille Writer and Braille paper. Students should plan on approximately two hours of homework per day as they work towards certification as a transcriber by the Library of Congress. Transcribers can then work at home transcribing requested reading materials for the blind.

Ongoing support and encouragement will be provided at weekly meetings, where volunteers come together to proofread each other’s work.

For more information and to register for the class, call instructor Mary Ann Knapp at 613-5956 or Jean Blasioli at 737-2149.

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