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The Farm Energy Efficiency Project (FEEP) is a program initiated by North Carolina Farm Bureau. The primary goal is to provide low-cost energy audits for farmers. These audits will highlight energy saving alternatives. The energy audits performed can be used to leverage United States Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Section 9007 grant. FEEP will provide 200 on-farm energy audits across NC.
To apply for FEEP, an Interest Form needs to be completed by March 31st. The Interest Form is a simple 1-page front and back form. The sooner you can get these forms in the better. March 31st is the absolute latest to get these forms in. To find out more about FEEP, you may contact Scott Welborn (scott.welborn@ncfb.org) 919-782-1705 x8209, NC Farm Energy
Again, with the energy audit, you can apply for a USDA-REAP grant. REAP is a program to assist farmers and rural small businesses with energy projects. This program provides grants and guaranteed loans for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects. Typically, projects must show a 20% savings in energy audit to score well enough to receive funding.
REAP projects
- must be located in a rural area.
- must be for a pre-commercial or commercially available and replicable technology.
- must be technically feasible.
- must have sufficient revenue to provide for operation and maintenance.
- the applicant must be the owner of the project and control the operation and maintenance of the proposed project.
The find out more about REAP, David Thigpen (david.thigpen@nc.usda.gov) 919-873-2065.
Three workshops will be held across North Carolina to help producers understand how to apply for the USDA-Rural Development's Value-Added Producer Grants. This grant is targeted to producers planning to add a value-added enterprise to their farm. The grant Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2009 cycle is expected to be announced by USDA in early 2009. More information can be found at www.ncvalueadded.org and at www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm.
The workshop date and times are:
Monday, Dec 8, 1-5 pm, Burke County Extension Center, 130 Ammons Drive, Suite 2, Morganton
Wednesday, Dec 10, 1-5 pm, Lee County Extension Center, 2420 Tramway Road, Sanford
Thursday, Dec 11, 9 am -12 pm, Craven County Extension Center, 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern
The workshops are free and registration is not required. The workshops will provide valuable information to aid the application process. Attendance is not required to apply for a grant.If you have questions, email Bruce Pleasant, USDA-Rural Development, Bruce.Pleasant@nc.usda.gov or Blake Brown, Blake_Brown@ncsu.edu
