With nearly half the planet’s inhabitable lands used for agriculture, Earth Day and farming go hand in hand. Over the last 100 years, reliance on larger machinery and agrochemicals have not yielded long-term benefits for farmers, the environment, or consumers. Change is happening.
Farmers, land managers, and Monarch Tractor are in the dirt with sleeves rolled up, working together to overcome many of the challenges farmers face in their efforts to be good stewards of their lands. This Earth Day, see what Monarch’s MK-V electric tractor customers are doing to support a healthier future for all.
Renewable Energy
As the farming equipment ecosystem becomes increasingly electric, farmers are finding that investing in renewable energy provides faster payback and can save them fuel costs while strengthening both energy independence and farm resilience in the face of fuel prices and power grid shutdowns.
Since 2008, Peter Michael Winery has been integrating electric farm equipment into its agribusiness and now meets 85% of the estate’s electric demands with solar. Castoro Cellars is the largest grower of organic grapes on California’s Central Coast and offsets all its energy use with solar. Bringing an MK-V electric tractor to their operation underscores their on-going dedication to sustainable farming and renewable energy.
Our tasting room, our vineyards, and our winery are all paired with custom solar installations designed to specifically offset the energy needed to run those operations.
Luke Udsen, Director of Marketing and Events, Castoro Cellars
Expanding Sustainability
Farm sustainability pertains to both a fiscal and environmental outlook for long-term viability. Increasingly, more farms are taking intentional steps to expand their sustainability programs for a better future for their agribusiness and farm workers.
Monarch’s first customer, Constellation Brands, has been working with its fleet of MK-V electric tractors for over a year. Not only is Constellation committed to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, but its vineyard managers are on the front lines of many farming challenges — extreme weather, safety, and consumer demands for sustainably-raised food.
Constellation Brands is deeply committed to its ESG goals and a fleet of MK-V tractors is a big part of that.
Blake Wood, Director of Vineyard Operations, Constellation Brands
As the caretaker of some of California’s oldest, most historic vineyards, Beckstoffer Vineyards appreciates what sustainability brings to a farm. In early 2023, Beckstoffer’s Las Amigas location became a no-till operation. By investing in MK-V electric tractors, the increased mowing passes required by no-till farming do not equate to increased diesel costs and emissions.
It’s an honor to work on these historical vineyards, and bringing new technology to see how it can improve them and keep them around longer is awesome.
Conner Berken, Assistant Vineyard Manager, Beckstoffer Vineyards
Zero-Emission Farming
Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) contribute to extreme weather fluctuations and low-level ozone pollution, which increases poor air quality and harms vegetation during the growing season by reducing photosynthesis, bad news for human health and farmers. Zero-emission farming is one strategy to negate a farm’s GHG emissions.
For Gloria Ferrer, purchasing an MK-V moved it closer to its goal of zero net carbon emissions by 2050. It’s also an advocate of regenerative farming practices and the MK-V helps it there, too.
In New Zealand, Forest Lodge Orchard is the world’s first 100% electric, zero fossil fuel orchard and the MK-V electric tractor was the linchpin that allowed Mike Casey, owner of this high-density cherry orchard, to put all the pieces together. A solar array covers about 40% of the orchard’s energy use and the rest is provided by New Zealand’s highly renewable energy grid.
Healthier Communities
In addition to smarter farming strategies, Monarch’s customers are using the MK-V to support healthier, more vibrant communities.
An MK-V is giving El Jardin del Pueblo the means to serve and engage Sonoma County’s farmworkers, many of whom are migrants and experience food insecurities. The MK-V gives El Jardin’s farmworker and family volunteers a place to practice their generational farming knowledge of growing cultural foods, connecting with one another in an active, supportive environment, and gaining experience working with advanced ag technology.
Meanwhile, the City of Berkeley is Monarch’s first municipal customer. Lowering air emissions is one of California’s strategies to save residents $200 billion in healthcare costs due to air pollution. By deploying an MK-V electric tractor for its municipal grounds maintenance, the City of Berkeley is doing its part to lower emissions and reduce its operating budget.
Collective Efforts Yield Real Results
Engineering high-tech equipment that solves significant issues is a challenging endeavor. Success can only be realized with the collective efforts and support of ag customers and communities. The determination and willingness to take action is having a measurable impact. In 2023 alone the MK-V fleet offset 740,000+ pounds of CO2 and working together, that number continues to grow. This Earth Day 2024, we applaud all our customers and supporters.
