Horizon Organic Dairy in Kennedyville, Maryland. Photographed by Keri Pickett on September 17, 2008.
If Back to the Future had been set in 2010 rather than 1985, would Emmett “Doc” Brown have opted for solar panels over plutonium to power the DeLorean? And if so, how would that minor change affect the movie’s overall plot?
In Marty McFly’s world even the smallest of things can make a giant impact. And here’s proof that things in our world, aren’t so different. A seemingly insignificant step, making a pretty significant impact at our organic dairy farm in Kennedyville, Maryland.
Awhile back Farm Manager Greg Heidemann and crew had solar panels installed on the roof of the farm’s shop… just a small shed storing maintenance tools and gadgets. The panels produce energy needed to heat the shed and provide hot water, taking a first step in reducing the farm’s dependence on fossil fuels. A minor change? You bet. But just like adding solar panels to the DeLorean, it’s led to a larger plot twist. Most notably, a sustainable dam structure designed to keep residue out of a nearby creek leading to the Chesapeake Bay. The dam also enables the farm to utilize runoff water for crop irrigation… about eight million gallons of runoff water. That’s eight million gallons of water not being pulled from wells, not burning electricity… all because someone decided to use solar panels to heat a small shed with tools. Great Scott.
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