Conservation has always been important to us. Turning this scarred farmland into a productive and scenic landscape is no easy task.

• The first step was to plant cool-season pasture grass on most of the acreage.  The open acreage to the west of the creek was planted with warm-season prairie grasses, whose roots descend 20-25 feet and do an excellent job of securing the soil. 
• The second step was to develop a rotation plan for the horses (and keeping their numbers small) to prevent the pastures from getting worn out. 
• We are currently developing a system to rotate other animals through the pastures as well, to mimic natural grassland cycles. We will use goats for weed control and chickens to scatter the horse manure. Goats will provide us with milk and fiber. Chickens will provide us with farm fresh eggs.

Other Conservation Efforts

• Staff recently began an ambitious composting program, which will recycle a mix of aged manure and sawdust to the areas where the horses graze and provide great compost for avid gardeners.
• In 2008 Sand Hill Stable was awarded an Ohio Alternative Energy Grant, which provided a bit less than 50% of the cost of installing two large photovoltaic arrays on the south-facing roof of the west stall wing. The output of these solar panels is tied into the Ohio Energy’s grid and generates roughly half of the power the stable currently needs for heat and light. 
• The electrobraid fencing separating summer pastures is powered by solar generators. The winter paddock troughs are solar heated. 
• A bat box and several Bluebird boxes have been put up to encourage these insect eating critters to live on the property.
• In 2010 Sand Hill Stable installed a rain barrel on the west end of the stable.  The water obtained within will help to water the community garden.