Grant Information and Writing Workshops for Farmers

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Photo by Jess Cook

Photo by Jess Cook

Interested in grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy for your farm? The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program is conducting information sessions about the Rural Energy in America Program (REAP) this month. Please let us know if you are interested in attending – or have any other questions about solar power for your farm.

We hope to see you there! To pre-register or receive further information, please contact Megan Denardo at the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program (MFEP) at 413-727-3090 or megan.denardo@cetonline.org

REAP Information Session and Grant Writing Workshops:

  • February 11 (snow date February 12) – 10 am-3 pm, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 101 University Drive Suite C4, Amherst, MA 01002
  • February 18 (snow date February 19) – 10 am-3 pm, UMass Cranberry Station, 1 State Bog Road, East Wareham,  MA 02538

Anne Correia of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a two-part information session about the REAP grant and loan programs at MDAR’s Amherst office on February 11, and another at the UMass Cranberry Station Library/Conference Room in East Wareham on February 18. REAP recently announced two deadlines for REAP’s annual renewable energy and energy efficiency grant and loan guaranty program, one for April 30, 2015 one for June 30, 2015. All grant requests of $20,000 or less need to apply by the April 30, 2015 deadline. These information sessions intend to educate farmers, project developers and grant writers about REAP’s offerings and application process which has recently changed.

Agenda:

Part 1 – Information Session: 10 am – 12 pm. An overview of REAP grant guidelines and application requirements for farms, developers and grant writers interested in applying for assistance with installing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.

Part 2 – Grant Writing Workshop: 1-3 pm. Training to enable interested individuals and organizations to provide REAP grant-writing services for farms.

MA Farm Energy Program – Transition

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MA Farm Energy Program – Transition

The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program was launched by Berkshire-Pioneer Resource Conservation & Development (BPRC&D) in 2007 and operated for more than six years with funding and program support from several partners. As of March 2014, BPRC&D is stepping down and handing over the reins to the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) to lead the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has awarded CET grant funding to administer the MA Farm Energy Program (MFEP). Through one-on-one consultations, workshops, energy audits, financial incentives, and collaboration with other agencies CET will work closely with farms to identify and help leverage funding for energy efficient and renewable energy improvements.

For more than 35 years, the Center for EcoTechnology has helped people and businesses–including farms–in Massachusetts save energy and reduce waste. Our 75 staff operate out of offices in Pittsfield and Northampton, and from EcoBuilding Bargains Springfield and field staff are located throughout Massachusetts.

CET thanks BPRC&D for their ongoing support, and specifically Jess Cook and Layla Hazen for their dedication and hard work in helping farms across the state these past several years. We look forward to working with partners and funding agencies to provide information and resources for farms across the state.

To find out more about how you can improve your farm’s operations, reduce your energy use and save money, contact us at info@massfarmenergy.com or call 413-727-3090. We look forward to hearing from you!

New Funding for Greenhouse Heating

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New Funding for Greenhouse Heating

The Mass Clean Energy Center and Department of Energy Resources have announced a new grant program for qualifying projects implementing biomass boiler technology, ground source heat pumps and/or qualified district energy systems. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 3 p.m., March 28, 2014, or until funds are depleted.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their projects with MassCEC and DOER staff prior to preparing an application. Call (617) 315-9379 or email renewablethermal@massscec.com with questions. Application materials can be found on the MassCEC website.