Ashfield farm debuts 'solar smoothies'

[ Originally published on: Monday, June 15, 2009 ]

ASHFIELD -- Two years ago, Sidehill Farm was gearing up to turn milk from its small herd of Normandy cows into the region's first homemade organic yogurt.

Now, they're using that yogurt to make Sidehill Solar Smoothies, which they're making with the help of two homemade solar photocell arrays.

The solar collectors, each less than 2 square feet in size, are powering their blenders at the Amherst and Ashfield farmers markets, respectively.

''It makes kids so happy,'' said Paul Lacinski, who makes the smoothies with yogurt from the dozen cows he milks with his wife, Amy Klippenstein. This week, when the 20-watt panel makes its debut in Ashfield, they'll feature fresh strawberries from Upinngil Farm and Sidehill maple yogurt.

He said the smoothies, which require less than half of a sunny day's energy, stored in a 12-volt battery, were actually conceived of as a way to power him and Klippenstein through hours of selling at the farmer's markets, where all they had been eating was pastries.

Farm tour set for Saturday

Sidehill will also host a farm tour Saturday at 3 p.m. at 137 Beldingville Road, sponsored by Green Fields Market, with advance registration required. For information, call (413) 625-0011 or e-mail info@sidehillfarm.net.

The farm has also begun producing paneer -- a fresh Indian-style cheese made by pressing the curds -- and selling it at the farmers markets, as well as to restaurants like Hope & Olive in Greenfield, Ollie's Down Under in Shelburne Falls and Elmer's Store in Ashfield.

The paneer, which can be used in cooking, is made from what had been a waste product in the yogurt-making process, said Klippenstein.

 

---