Workshop: Solar Thermal on Farms

/in /by

Hosted by the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program

Evacuated tube solar thermal system at Appleton Farms, a property of The Trustees of Reservations in Ipswich, MA

Evacuated tube solar thermal system at Appleton Farms, a property of The Trustees of Reservations in Ipswich, MA

Come learn about solar thermal technologies, applications and benefits for your farm, as well as funding opportunities!

Two locations:

March 27, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (Click Link for Directions)
101 University Drive, Suite C4, Amherst

Or

April 2, 9:30am – 12:30pm
UMass Cranberry Experiment Station (Click Link for Directions)
1 State Bog Road, East Wareham

Presenters: Gerry Palano, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Peter McPhee, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Topics: Solar thermal technologies, applications for your farm and funding opportunities.

To pre-register or receive further information, please contact Megan Denardo at 413-727-3090 or megan.denardo@cetonline.org

REAP Grants Available for Farmers: Deadlines in April and June

/in /by

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems, and make energy efficiency improvements to non-residential buildings and facilities.

REAP recently announced two deadlines for their annual renewable energy and energy efficiency grant and loan guaranty program. One for April 30, 2015, for projects requesting $20,000 or less, and one for June 30, 2015, for all project sizes. Guaranteed Loan Only Requests are funded monthly and may be submitted at any time.

Learn more about these grants and apply!

Grant Information and Writing Workshops for Farmers

/in /by
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.