One of the biggest names in candy unwrapped a new green way to power its factory.

Mars Chocolate North America showed off the new solar garden for the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson Thursday. The garden is acres of solar panels that generate enough energy to power the factory in peak hours. The solar garden features more than 2,000 ground-mounted solar panels on 4.4 acres of land behind the Ethel M Chocolate Factory. The change to green energy offsets 825 tons of greenhouse gas every year, which is like taking 113 cars off the road.

“Turning one of the desert’s greatest assets into energy is in complete alignment with Mars’ Principles in Action, our core business values,” said Mack Phillips, site director of the Henderson plant.  “Two years ago we unveiled a similar solar project at our North American headquarters in Hackettstown, NJ, and its impact on our operations has been substantial.”

A local farm is asking people not to throw out their old jack o' lanterns but instead recycle them into pig feed.

R.C. Farms is taking in pumpkins to feed to its hogs and cattle. This is the 19th year the farm has taken in jack o’ lanterns. The pumpkins can be dropped at the farm at 555 E. El Campo Grande Avenue, near the corner of Ann Road and North 5th Street.

There will be other drop off points around the valley:

• 1383 American Pacific Drive, Henderson
• 0405 S. Eastern Avenue, Henderson
• 9892 W. Flamingo Road
• 7335 S. Rainbow Boulevard
• 6400 SE Centennial Center Dr.

People should look for the large light blue containers with the R.C. Farms logo. Last year, the farm collected 15 tons of pumpkins. Pumpkins will be collected through November 5.