Spring 2026
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KEEP Launching New Wisconsin AgriSolar Curriculum
From our partners at KEEP (Wisconsin’s K-12 Energy Education Program)
KEEP, Wisconsin’s K-12 Energy Education Program, connects formal and non-formal K-12 educators in Wisconsin with quality energy education opportunities and materials.
KEEP Resource Specialist Gina Smith has been working with Chippewa Falls School District Agricultural Educator Jeanna Burgan and other partners to develop five agrivoltaics lessons specific to Wisconsin. Agrivoltaics (AgriSolar) is the practice of using the same land simultaneously for both solar energy production and agriculture.
The lessons will be available for free in Google format prior to the next school year, making it easy for educators to use and adapt. Topics include:
- Lesson 1: What is AgriSolar?
- Lesson 2: AgriSolar Photovoltaic Systems – Students examine how PV panels work and terms of solar development leases.
- Lesson 3: AgriSolar Plant Systems - Students explore plant-based agriculture and solar.
- Lesson 4: AgriSolar Animal Systems - Students explore grazing and animal-based agriculture and solar.
- Lesson 5: AgriSolar System Design - Students create a scale model of an AgriSolar system.
Lessons can be used independently or used in sequence, culminating in the final AgriSolar system design project. Each lesson includes an educator guide, a slideshow of presentation, and student sheets or texts. Lesson 4 also includes a 10-minute video that KEEP created as part of this project, Sheep + Solar: Rotationally grazing sheep in a solar array. The video features Olivia Halbur and her sheep at Halbur's Heavenly Hill and is from the farmer/grazer’s perspective.
The AgriSolar lessons are currently being reviewed by a team of agricultural educators throughout Wisconsin. If you would like to preview the lessons or provide lesson feedback, please contact Gina Smith at gsmith@uwsp.edu.
MGE Delivers Clean Energy and More with Solar Grazing
See how sheep are helping manage vegetation at local MGE solar facilities.
Learn more
About KEEP
KEEP is a program of the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. For the past 30 years, KEEP has been working with teachers, administrators, and energy resource managers to increase and improve energy education in Wisconsin schools. KEEP is funded by six utility partners in Wisconsin, including Madison Gas and Electric.
To learn more about KEEP, including other energy education resources, trainings and hands-on energy kits:
- Visit uwsp.edu/keep
- Call 715-346-4770 or
- Email keep@uwsp.edu
