Moo Dog Knits

Wind velocity can’t be seen, but it is a force of nature in the Taconic Hills.

A grant from New York State Energy Research & Development Authority funded about half the cost of solar panels at Buckwheat Bridge Angoras six years ago. The 84 solar photovoltaic panels harnessed enough energy to produce 10 kilowatts of electricity – on a sunny day.
“As we upped production selling yarn to people to knit with, we started to specialize in Cormo sheep and Cormo crosses,” said Dan Melamed as he scanned the pastures on his farm. He and Sara Healy began spinning yarn from fiber sheared from their own Angora goats and sheep in 2001. (Part one of this story is linked here.) When solar wasn’t enough to keep up with demands of equipment to create skeins of fine yarn and limited edition quality socks, a residential scale windmill was sought in 2006.
“I always thought what a great place to put a windmill,” he said. (Not a bad place for the 250-plus Angora goats, fine wool sheep and Maremma guardian dogs that protect the herds either.)

“Renewable energy is an important selling point with our products, so I looked at wind power. From building permit and the significant opposition from the town and neighbors – who I think were scared by the idea of an windmill – took two years.”
Pyrus Energy installed a Gaia turbine on a pasture knoll. The 100-foot mill made in Denmark was the first of its kind in the U.S.

Note: For a story of the costs, zoning, obstacles surmounted and technology used to monitor the windmill system – which is pretty fascinating – see this link to Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.
Next, in part three: Glorious yarn, knitting ganseys – and the couple’s involvement in growing the Dutchess Country Sheep and Wool Festival.