On Friday, May 23, 2025, members of the Heartland Farm Sanctuary community gathered at their pastoral property in Stoughton, Wisconsin, to celebrate a milestone moment—the completion of a 50.22-kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar energy project that will help the nonprofit bridge compassion for animals with care for the planet.
This installation, spread across three rooftops at the sanctuary, is expected to produce over 60,000 kW-hours of clean electricity each year, offsetting about 62 percent of the organization’s annual electricity use. More than just a reduction in emissions, the solar project embodies Heartland’s mission to inspire compassion for animals, the earth, and each other.
A Sanctuary Rooted in Compassion and Sustainability
For 15 years, Heartland Farm Sanctuary has offered a safe, welcoming space where people and rescued farm animals come together to experience growth, healing, and connection. The sanctuary provides high-quality, specialized care for animals recovering from abuse and neglect, offers inclusive humane education for learners of all ages, and facilitates experiential therapy.
By embracing solar power, the sanctuary is modeling the type of sustainability and care for the planet it teaches through its programming. It’s a powerful example of how organizations can use clean energy to put their core values into action.
“Going solar not only helps us greatly reduce our Scope 2 emissions but also serves as a tangible means of inspiring action by Heartland’s visitors, program participants, volunteers, and donors,” said Heartland board member Eric Sundquist at the ribbon-cutting event.
A Community Effort to Power a Compassionate Mission
The ribbon-cutting event brought together an array of partners, supporters, and advocates. Heartland Executive Director Jen Korz opened the ceremony with words of gratitude for the many hands that helped bring the project to life. She was joined by Sydnie Zimmerman, Heartland’s Development Specialist; Deiter Dettling, Project Manager at Full Spectrum Solar, who installed the system; and Jackie Harrison-Jewell, Executive Director of the Couillard Solar Foundation.
The project was made possible by a mix of creative financing, generous grants, and community support. Heartland financed the bulk of the $87,192 cost through Legacy Solar Co-op, with additional funding from a Focus on Energy rebate and a forthcoming clean energy tax credit, made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Direct Pay provision. Legacy Solar Co-op also provided a bridge loan, the cost of which is being covered by two committed donors.
Thanks to the Solar for Good program, Heartland received 46 solar panels—a contribution valued at $11,178. Solar for Good, a program of the Couillard Solar Foundation administered by RENEW Wisconsin, supports mission-driven nonprofits across the state in transitioning to renewable energy.
Investing in Impact: From Energy Savings to Animal Care
The solar installation is projected to save Heartland over $8,000 annually—funds that will be redirected into the organization’s life-changing programs. These savings will help support:
- Farm Animal Rescue & Care: Heartland is nationally recognized for its expertise in providing lifelong rehabilitative care for farm animals who’ve experienced trauma and neglect.
- Humane Education: Through camps, classes, field trips, and clubs, Heartland empowers learners to become advocates for people, animals, and the planet.
- Experiential Therapy: Using nature, animal interaction, and evidence-based practices, Heartland provides therapeutic experiences tailored to each participant’s needs.
With more resources flowing into these programs, the sanctuary can expand its reach and deepen its impact, proving that sustainability and mission-driven work are compatible and can reinforce each other.
Looking Ahead: Building a Brighter, Greener Future
Heartland’s solar installation is just one piece of a larger vision for environmental stewardship. The sanctuary installed its solar arrays on a recently constructed barn with extra insulation to reduce heating needs. As part of ongoing decarbonization efforts, they plan to install a heat pump to serve the unfinished portion of the barn and assist with heating currently provided by propane. They’re also undertaking an emissions inventory, with an eye toward full decarbonization in the future.
These actions are grounded in Heartland’s sustainability commitment: to honor ancestral Ho-Chunk land, conserve biodiversity, and engage in practices that benefit all beings—human and non-human alike.