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Wisconsin Farmers to Share in USDA's Renewable Energy Funds
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/23/2008

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced that 27 individuals and businesses in seven states have been selected to receive $6.9 million in loans and grants for renewable energy systems or to increase energy efficiency in farm and business operations. The funds are being provided under USDA Rural Development's Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. Three Wisconsin farms are included in the funding.

"The Bush administration is committed to providing more energy from within our nation's borders, and these loan and grant combinations announced today will help accomplish this important goal," Schafer said.

The funding will support a variety of energy-production and energy-saving efforts. For example, Bach Digester LLC in Dorchester will receive $800,000 in loans and grants to construct an anaerobic digester on a dairy farm. The gas produced from this digester will be used to power a 250 kW generator onsite and will produce 2,518,500 kWh/year. Grotequt Dairy Farm which will receive a $378,437 grant and a $878,000 loan; and Mapleleaf Dairy, Inc. which will receive a $500,000 grant and a $1,322,025 loan.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency loan and grant program was established under Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill to encourage agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems and energy efficient improvements. The program's funding can support a wide range of technologies encompassing biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, solar, and wind energy, as well as energy efficiency improvements.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.


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