USDA seeks to fund business, ag energy projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in its continuing efforts to strengthen rural economies. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program.

REAP, authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and meet the nation’s critical energy needs.

USDA is accepting the following applications:

• Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications until April 30, 2013

• Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications until July 15, 2013

• Renewable energy system feasibility study grant applications through April 30, 2013.

For more information, contact Vermont’s USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator, Cheryl Ducharme, at 89 Main St., 3rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828–6083, cheryl.ducharme@vt.usda.gov.