Last Updated on July 11, 2025 by Anne Brock
What’s New?
Less mowing. More growing. Soon, you’ll be able to see an example of regenerative agriculture and more pollinator-friendly plantings near the Crawford House Solar+Storage site on Maryville College campus. It’s the latest update since the historic center for outdoor programs added its renewable energy upgrade last year.
In 2024, Solar Alliance designed and installed a 4.8 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) array with 18 kilowatt-hour battery to allow the ability to offset all energy needs at the center for Mountain Challenge and Fit.Green.Happy® environmental programs. Now, this additional greenscaping will enhance the aesthetics while fitting with sustainability efforts. Energy efficiency and a low carbon footprint have long been goals at the facility where programs encourage healthy outdoor experiences along with respect for the natural world.
Why?
“Establishing a native pollinator garden and limiting mowing will both enhance soil quality and provide a pocket habitat for beneficial insects and other small wildlife,” explained Assistant Professor of Environmental Science Dr. Julie Konkel of Maryville College. Dr. Konkel and MC Sustainability Director Dr. Jay Clark are aiming to use conservation practices and including seasonal crops and native plants to show how areas around solar arrays can stay green. Buckwheat will be a blooming late-summer cover crop. Raised beds nearby will feature native wildflowers.
Big Picture
Program founder Bruce Guillaume is pleased with how the garden projects will complement the existing sustainability efforts and LEED-certified facility. They will become another visible example of caring for the environment and the people in it. “This project is important and good on every level,” said Guillaume. “Renewable energy and land use is great for the environment, great for people and it is a good, sound business practice. All aspects of this project are good, good, good!” Guillaume is founder of the outdoor programs based at Crawford House.
The Solar Gardens project around new and legacy solar arrays will involve late-summer plantings now that the area is prepped. Reducing the area for traditional lawn mowing supports sustainability efforts recognized by green building organizations. “This is a great example of an interdivisional project for the college campus,” said Guillaume.
One Year Later
It was fall 2024 when Maryville College cut the ribbon on the new array. You can see the PV system and its story here here on YouTube.
Resources
Maryville College has thriving Environmental Studies and Environmental Science programs, as well as several related courses of science study.
Learn more about Mountain Challenge here.
Find examples of pollinator garden projects here from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Learn more about these gardening practices at the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation and from the Natural Resources Defense Council.