ASI annual convention shines light on flock’s future
Most homes were still illuminated by lanterns and candlelight when the National Wool Growers Association – the predecessor to the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) – held its first convention in 1865.
But 160 years later, sheep producers from across the country shared a renewed excitement for the industry’s future as a panel of solar grazers pointed toward new heights for the American flock and its role in developing clean energy for the U.S.
Solar grazing
Ryan Indart of California, Reid Redden of Texas and Daniel Dotterer of Pennsylvania shared stories of getting their feet in the door of solar grazing in recent years during the 2025 ASI Annual Convention Opening Session on Jan. 16 at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.
They were joined in the panel discussion by Silicon Ranch Corporation’s Loran Shallenberger and David Wen of AES Corporation. Both companies are developing solar assets, while Silicon Ranch has taken the unprecedented step of assembling its own sheep flock as well.
The panel was moderated by Lexie Hain of New York, a solar grazer who founded the American Solar Grazing Association and is now the director of agrivoltaics and land management at Lightsource bp.
Agrivoltaics is the practice of using land for both agriculture and solar energy production, and more often than not, at this point, this agricultural use is the grazing of sheep.
The explosion of solar fields throughout the country has created a whole new job for America’s sheep, and producers like those on the panel welcomed the opportunity to supplement their livestock incomes – from lamb and, in some cases, wool – with grazing fees.
While solar grazing has allowed producers to expand their flocks, it has also welcomed newcomers who often found the lack of land an expensive barrier to getting into the industry.
Targeted grazing
The western wildfires dominating the news in recent weeks have also put a spotlight on grazing and the role it can play in a changing climate. Targeted grazing is a booming industry as well and has long been used in states such as California to reduce fire loads.
“The American sheep industry has definitely seen a resurgence in recent years thanks to these grazing opportunities,” said newly elected ASI President Ben Lehfeldt of Montana. “We wanted to further highlight this opportunity at this year’s convention. But sheep producers have always known the value sheep bring to the lands they graze, whether it’s a solar field, national forest or private land.”
In addition to the discussion on solar grazing at the opening session, ASI introduced a book, “Targeted Grazing 101: Starting and Sustaining a Grazing Service Enterprise,” focused on paid grazing opportunities and how to get started. The book will be available this spring.
Election
As mentioned, the association elected new officers during the 2025 ASI Annual Convention.
Lehfeldt was elected to serve as president, while California’s Joe Pozzi moved into the vice president slot and Tammy Fisher of Texas was elected secretary/treasurer.
Brad Boner of Wyoming will serve as past president after two years at the helm of the association.
Lehfeldt is a fifth-generation rancher, and his family has been involved in the industry for more than 135 years. He previously served as vice president from 2023-25, secretary/treasurer from 2021-23 and is a past member of the ASI Wool Council.
He also served as a director of the Montana Wool Growers Association and on the board of directors for the American Lamb Board and the National Grazing Lands Coalition.
ASI is the national organization representing the interests of sheep producers located throughout the U.S. From east to west, pasture-based flocks to range operations, ASI works to represent the interests of all producers. This article was originally published in ASI’s weekly newsletter, dated Jan. 24.
