Regeneration, Sheep, and Shade
The sheep at Birdsfoot Farm in Stony Brook, New York, have a big job to do. Tasked with clearing overgrown fields, establishing silvopasture, and restoring soil health, these woolly workers are part of a regenerative master plan. And two Shade Haven mobile shade systems keep them comfortable while they work. Birdsfoot Farm is part of the Avalon Nature Preserve, a […]
The sheep at Birdsfoot Farm in Stony Brook, New York, have a big job to do. Tasked with clearing overgrown fields, establishing silvopasture, and restoring soil health, these woolly workers are part of a regenerative master plan. And two Shade Haven mobile shade systems keep them comfortable while they work.
Birdsfoot Farm is part of the Avalon Nature Preserve, a 216-acre nonprofit established in 1997. The preserve, which is free and open to the public, embraces the motto Protect, Restore, Inspire. The same focus drives Birdsfoot Farm, a 46-acre parcel of adjacent farmland purchased in 2018.
“Because it was part of the county’s Farmland Preservation program, we were obligated to farm it—so I guess you could call us accidental farmers,” quips Executive Director Katharine Griffiths. “But we knew what we were getting into.”
Since acquiring the land, Griffiths and her team have worked to restore the once-productive farmland, fallow since the 1980s and overtaken by forest and invasive species. Named after the legume birdsfoot trefoil, the farm now practices regenerative agriculture focused on rebuilding soil health and biodiversity.
Livestock play a key role in the farm’s regeneration plan. The team started with ten Babydoll sheep for orchard restoration, later adding a dozen goats to assist in clearing brush and establishing silvopasture. More recently, ten Wensleydale sheep joined the Babydolls to graze 20 acres of open pasture.
“We rotate our sheep through the pastures, followed by our layer hens and broilers,” Griffiths explains. “The soil was incredibly acidic, so we’re using the animals to help rebalance it naturally.”
No shade, no problem
The open pastures offered little protection from New York’s hot, humid summers. That’s when Birdsfoot Farm discovered Shade Haven mobile shade systems, recommended by agricultural consultant Chad Adams of Ground Plan Studio.
“We were using portable shelters before, but the airflow was terrible,” says Griffiths. “When I first stepped under the Shade Haven, I could not believe the difference in temperature. It’s remarkable.”
The farm purchased its first SH600 in June 2025. Moving the Shade Haven once or twice daily, the team quickly saw the benefits—improved animal comfort, longer grazing times, easy setup, and effortless mobility. “One person can deploy it and move it with a small UTV, or even by hand,” Griffiths says. “For a small staff, that’s a huge advantage.”
Just two months later, they added a second SH600 for the Wensleydale sheep. “When we got the new flock, we knew we needed another Shade Haven,” Griffiths adds.
Looking ahead
Birdsfoot Farm markets its products through a farmstand and CSA, offering vegetables, flowers, eggs and chicken. The team recently processed its first batch of sheep wool and plans to offer felting kits, yarn, and finished goods soon.
Griffiths plans to grow the sheep flock and eventually connect the farm to Avalon’s public trail network. For now, the restoration continues – all while keeping the operation manageable and pesticide-free.
“Our goal is to keep chipping away at the master plan for the farm,” she adds. “The sheep and the two Shade Havens are a big part of that.”
