bills, however, continued to climb. To help us evaluate how to save energy, we reached out to the Empower Maryland Program through PEPCO to conduct a home energy checkup for free.
After several record-breaking summers, it was clear that our AC couldn’ t take it anymore and at the same time, we recognized that it was nearly time for the furnace to be replaced. Rather than replace them separately and continue burning oil, we upgraded our home to a heat pump to handle heating, ventilation and air conditioning( HVAC) through one system— now fossil-fuel-free. To help us pay for this major improvement, we took advantage of the Empower Maryland program, which offers rebates that can cover a significant portion of the project cost.
n Clean Electricity. Based on our home inspection, we knew a new roof would need to be a part of our plan. So when the time came for the new roof, we also started preparing to go solar. After all
At Bluebird Farmstead, our family gardens together, raises ducklings and chicks for eggs, plants native trees and plants, and tends to a fruit orchard. the changes to our energy use, we waited for over a year before reaching out to companies for quotes for solar power. This allowed us to have at least a year of data to know the right number of solar panels we needed( and to recover from all our large projects!). We researched different companies and different financing options. We decided to purchase our system, added a battery to the design, and took advantage of several offerings from the federal tax credits, state incentives, and financing from the Montgomery County Green Bank. Now as electricity bills continue to go up across the region, we are lucky to be paying a steady monthly rate and when the system is paid off in a few years— it will start to pay us! If you’ re considering solar, now is the time to act. Because of the OBBBA, the residential solar federal tax credit is set to expire on December 31, 2025. Even if you miss the federal tax credit, State and local programs are available and expanding.
“ Greening” our cars, heat, and electricity with clean upgrades has substantially reduced our uses of fossil fuels. But, there will always be room for further action and creativity. We continue to plan how to reduce the need for mowing on our property, for example, by allowing for meadows to grow and provide nourishment for pollinators and homes for wildlife. n Plant trees, grow food, and eat locally. We can pursue climatefriendly lifestyles in the Ag Reserve. But, we can also do something even more special: sequester climate pollution by planting trees and caring for the soil. Living in nature and putting my hands in the dirt is the best part of my life, especially when I am joined by my family. I am incredibly grateful that the thing I love the best— planting and caring for plants— can also help the Earth. When we plant trees at Bluebird Farmstead, we also know we are part of a greater movement. Maryland has committed to plant five million trees by 2031 and has already planted one million trees toward this goal. We continue to expand sustainable practices on our farmstead, including feeding our soil with use of compost, cover crops and crop rotations. This healthy soil feeds us with bountiful harvests that we can share with family and friends.
The first time I stood outside our home, I thought to myself:“ This is going to be my eco-ranch.” We are really on our way, and I can’ t wait to see what will come next.
Allison Tjaden is a co-owner of Bluebird Farmstead LLC, just outside Laytonsville MD, with her husband, Bobby. Allison works at the State of Maryland supporting and promoting environmental action. Learn more and contact them at www. tjaden. design.
24 plenty I autumn harvest 2025