A meeting on the Farm Energy Efficiency Project (FEEP) is scheduled for Thursday, November 19 at 7pm at the Mountain Horticulture Research and Extension Center, 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC.
The North Carolina FEEP originated from a grant awarded to North Carolina Farm Bureau by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. The project's goal is to provide educational and technical support for farmers regarding agricultural energy use and efficiency. Farmers may also apply for low cost energy audits that will evaluate way to save farm energy costs.
"As farmers continue to face increasing costs, the data from energy audits and implementing energy saving plans can result in substantial, long-term savings," said Paul Sherman, air and energy programs director with North Carolina Farm Bureau.
The United State Department of Agriculture's Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) can provide grants and loans on projects that meet the criteria to save energy or implement new energy programs. FEEP will also provide matching funds that will improve a farmer's ability to obtain funds from REAP.
The funds will provide technical support needed to analyze proposals, perform energy audits, and prepare competitive applications for REAP loans and grants.
USDA Rural Development personnel will also be at the meeting to further explain how farmers can benefit from the REAP grant and loan program.
By the end of 2010, the project will have facilitated 200 on-farm energy audits and implemented at least 60 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Visit the FEEP web site http://www.ncfarmenergy.org/ for more information.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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