Harvesting the sun: Easthampton’s Park Hill Orchards triple solar capacity with state energy grant

EASTHAMPTON — Surging energy costs put a strain on trying to power two large-scale food storage coolers holding $500,000 of pastries and apples — the fruits of Eastampton’s Park Hill Orchards.

But the farm received an energy boost this week as part of a $3.3 million package of funding announced by Gov. Maura Healey for farms across the state, including a half dozen in Hampshire County.

The announcement was made at the State House on Wednesday, Massachusetts Agricultural Day, and during the announcement 2026 was declared to be the “International Year of the Woman Farmer.”

Park Hill Orchards, a private farm producing apples, fruits, berries and an array of classic American pastries, received a $50,000 slice of this money from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

The $50,000 reimbursement grant — which Park Hill will have to make a down-payment of $190,000 — will fund a more than 60-kilowatt, ground-mounted solar array to absorb the farm’s energy costs. Co-owners Russell Braen and Alane Hartley celebrated the gift that will go toward powering the farm over the next 20 or 30 years.

Especially given federal aid reductions for farmers under last year’s Big Beautiful Bill signed into law by President Donald Trump, Braen said state grants grants have “served as such a pat on the back” and have over the years made the “impossible possible.”

“I want to say thanks to the citizens of Massachusetts for supporting our farm,” said Braen.

The array will measure 50 feet by 90 feet parcel behind the barn of their 127-acre farm. “It will be postage stamp sized on an area that wasn’t really farmable,” he said.

In 2014, Park Hill Orchards used $25,000 in state funds for a 25-kilowatt array, but the energy needs of the farm outgrew the source. The new array will more than triple energy produced on the farm while reducing carbon emissions.

But the money isn’t just helping the married farmers, who have owned the land since 2007, in the here and now. Instead of unpredictable stocks, solar is 67-year-old Braen’s retirement investment.

“Solar is good for retirement,” said Braen. “It pays as well as anything in your portfolio.”

The farm, and the state have yet to sign off on the award, but Braen expects work to begin in April and for the array to be functional this year.

“For generations, Massachusetts farmers have cultivated our land, grown our food, and strengthened our communities,” said Healey in a statement issued Wednesday. “As we celebrate the nation’s 250^th birthday, we’re reminded of just how central agriculture has been to our history and our identity. Today, we celebrate that legacy — and reaffirm our commitment to the farmers and growers who carry it forward.”

Money around region

Meanwhile over in Florence, a $47,353 grant will bring wider hay-raking equipment to Vollinger Farm, reducing fuel and labor expenses. The investment also supports a strategic shift toward electric tractor technology.

Mycoterra Farm Inc. in South Deerfield received $9,173, which will fund a handwashing station, a bird deterrent system and shelving to improve sanitation and stay in line with food safety standards.

Plainfield-based Wolf Tree Farm, LLC was awarded $25,543. The money will fund reusable plastic macro bins to harvest and store potatoes, winter squash and other storage crops. The bins will help reduce waste by preventing food rot and improving food safety for expanded production and market access.

After receiving $22,196, Ziomek Farm LLC in Amherst will invest in replacing outdated onion packing and bagging equipment to eliminate food safety risks and maintain their certification.

In Worthington, Kinne Brook Farm will utilize their $19,760 grant to purchase equipment to produce biochar, a carbon rich charcoal that enhances soil health by increasing water retention, nutrients and beneficial microbes as well as sequestering carbon.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, a Deerfield-based organization focused on strengthening farms and engaging the community to build the local food economy, also received $88,000 through the Buy Local Grant Program.

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