'26 Autumnal Equinox Newsletter

On our Blog

Watts and Wool: A Pilot Solar Grazing Project with Three Creeks Farm at NH Solar Shares

In July, at PAREI’s Plymouth Solar Shares site, 16 local sheep from Three Creeks Farm in New Hampton made Plymouth history. They became the first sheep in the area to participate in solar grazing, a new agrivoltaic initiative of PAREI. Soon after, a partnership formed between PAREI and Three Creeks Farm, where we provide solar grazing services to local households and businesses. Again in August, the horned dorsets made a multi-day visit to Plymouth Solar Shares to clear the vegetation for the newly approved Solar Shares expansion.

The Plymouth Solar Shares

Expansion is Approved!

On June 17, the Governor and Executive Council approved a grant from the New Hampshire Department of Energy to expand our Plymouth Solar Shares site. The grant targets community solar photovoltaic (PV) projects that provide direct benefits to low- and moderate-income (LMI) residential electric customers.

With this grant, we are adding an 8.9 kW DC array to the existing 28.8 kW DC system. This new addition will provide on-bill credits monthly to five additional families, bringing the total to 15 local families in need of support that will receive monthly bill credits based on the production at the Plymouth array. In addition, this 8.9 kW will contribute 11,613 kWh annually in clean energy to our local grid.

Pictured below, the Three Creeks Farm sheep gently clear the site for the new array.

Local Foods Plymouth Celebrates 20 years!

Local Foods Plymouth is turning 20! For two decades, this PAREI program has supported local farmers, shared fresh food, and brought our community together.

We marked this big milestone with a special "Music in the Mountains" night featuring the New Hampshire Music Festival brass quintet. Guests enjoyed great music, cake, and wonderful company!

Local Foods Plymouth thrives thanks to our amazing staff, volunteers, local producers, and community. Celebrate our 20-year anniversary by making a $20 donation here to help us keep fresh food flowing.

Try a Local Foods Plymouth Recipe!

The LFP BLT

Ingredients:

Romaine Lettuce (Longview Farm)
Bacon (DRC Ranch, Forage Farm, Huntoon Farm, Mt. Breeze Farm)
Tomato (Owens Truck Farm)
Sourdough (Pattee Hill Farmstand, Soul Kitchen Bakery, Sunnyfield Brick Oven Bakery)

Spice it up with these add-ons:

Roasted Garlic Yo-Cheese (Huckins Farm)
Maple Buffalo Sauce (Dandelion Eatery)

Instructions:

Cook your bacon using your favorite method to your preferred level of crispiness.
Cut tomato into 1/3-inch thick slices – blot to remove moisture & season w/ salt & pepper to taste.
Tear the romaine lettuce leaves into hearty-sized pieces.
Slice your sourdough – if you prefer toasted bread, send the slices into a toaster or give them a quick sear on your stovetop in a tablespoon of butter.
Spread the Yo-Cheese, Maple-Buffalo sauce, or condiment of choice onto your sliced sourdough.
Assemble your sandwich and enjoy!

See more Local Foods Plymouth recipes

Volunteers needed! - Local Foods Plymouth

Passionate about local foods and like working in a hands-on setting? Local Foods Plymouth is looking for volunteers available from 1:30 pm to 3 pm on Thursdays. Volunteers will help pack food orders that come in from local farmers and producers. If you are interested, please reach out to jada@plymouthenergy.org.

It's that time of year: Let's talk Energy!

With dropping temperatures and higher electricity rates, efficient and cost-effective energy solutions are needed more than ever. PAREI is here to lend a hand with:

Solar installations
Heat pump water heater installations
Energy audits and in-office energy consultations
Solar repairs and checkups

If you are interested in PAREI's energy services, email owen@plymouthenergy.org with inquiries or questions!

Join us for our upcoming events

Walk & Talk Tour of Natural Burial Ground

Saturday, Sept. 12 | 10:00-11:30 am

Oliverian Everlasting Burial Ground

63 Boucher Road, Benton Flats, NH

NH’s first independent natural burial cemetery, Oliverian Everlasting Burial Ground, addresses conservation of intrinsically valuable land while providing space for environmentally responsible after-death disposition.

Oliverian Everlasting welcomes all who are looking for a place to rest in nature. Offering natural burials—simple, authentic, affordable—on 28.9 acres of woodland, stream, and meadow that abut the White Mountain National Forest and State of New Hampshire and other conserved land, an essential part of the area’s ecological picture. Many PAREI members have been part of this journey to create New Hampshire’s first natural burial cemetery, and we hope that others will become involved.

Join us for a tour of the land where representatives will share the vision for its future use as a burial ground, natural sanctuary, and recreational destination.

Business After Hours with PAREI & the Central NH Chamber of Commerce

Tuesday, Sept. 15 | 5:00-7:00 pm

PAREI & Local Foods Plymouth Pavilion

14 Fairgrounds Rd., Plymouth

Join PAREI and the Central NH Chamber of Commerce for a business meet-and-greet. Learn more about PAREI’s mission, services, and programs- including the Plymouth NH Solar Shares Expansion! Come meet and network with our business community.

October Energy Exchange

Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 5:00-7:00 pm

Pease Public Library

1 Russell St, Plymouth, NH

Ready to talk clean energy and connect with your community? Join us for the October Energy Exchange! We’ll explore practical solutions like plug-in solar and heat pump water heaters, plus open the floor for neighbors to share their energy stories and challenges. Bring a simple dish for the appetizer potluck and stick around for some great conversation! The number of attendees is limited, so please register on our website.

Pumpkin Smash

Saturday, Nov. 7 | 1:00-3:30 pm

Three Creeks Farm

774 Dana Hill Rd, New Hampton

Don’t toss it, smash it! Join us for a pumpkin smash in the pasture and let the solar-grazing flock chomp on your leftover jack-o'-lanterns, cornstalks, and gourds! While you’re there, hear about Three Creeks Farm, its solar array that PAREI installed, and the Belknap County Conservation District grant that made it happen!

Did You Know?

DAF Day is Oct 8, the third annual national giving day for donor-advised funds! If you have a DAF, it's a great day to give.

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