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Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Projects, Including 18 in South Dakota, to Improve Farm and Rural Business Energy Efficiency

Name
Tammi Schone
City
Washington
Release Date

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for 424 projects across the nation that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, and use renewable energy technologies in their operations.

“Today’s Rural Energy for America Program announcements will provide further assistance for agricultural producers and rural small business owners to save energy, promote renewable energy creation, and boost the bottom line for their operation,” Vilsack said.  “By investing in clean, renewable energy created in rural America, USDA is able to provide new income opportunities in our small towns while supporting the Obama Administration’s comprehensive effort to combat the impacts of a changing climate.”  
  
Vilsack noted that today’s funding announcement is another reminder of the importance of Farm Bill programs for the economic vitality of rural America, and a compelling reason why Congress must get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill passed as soon as possible.  A comprehensive new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy, Vilsack added.    
  
The Rural Energy for America Program offers financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. These federal funds leverage other private funding sources for businesses. 
  
Vilsack announced more than $14 million in grants and loan guarantees to business owners in 22 states, the Western Pacific, the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Vilsack announced more than $14 million in grants and loan guarantees to business owners in 22 states, the Western Pacific, the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In South Dakota, eighteen projects were selected for funding as follows:

• GF Buche Co., Inc., of Gregory, has been selected to receive $49,025 to install new freezers and coolers in the grocery store.
• Randy Pierret, of Sherman, has been selected to receive $12,475 to replace an inefficient grain dryer with a new energy efficient NECO dryer.
• Vince Huwe, of Dell Rapids, has been selected to receive $17,570 to replace an inefficient grain dryer with a new, energy efficient Brock dryer.
• Piotter Family Farms, Inc., of New Effington, has been selected to receive $23,094 to replace an old inefficient grain dryer system with a new Sukup dryer and air handling system.
• Mark Mergen, of Del Rapids, has been selected to receive $24,643 to replace an old efficient grain dryer with a new energy efficient NECO grain dryer.
• William Hearnen, of Conde, has been selected to receive $30,024 to an old inefficient grain dryer with a new energy efficient Brock dryer.
• Scott Hanson, of Elk Point, has been selected to receive $47,837 to replace an inefficient grain dryer system with a new NECO grain dryer and Hutchinson air handling system.
• Jacob Zimmerman, of Bristol, has been selected to receive $49,888 to replace an old inefficient grain dryer system with a new NECO grain dryer and Hutchinson grain handling system.
• Doug Roettele, of Columbia, has been selected to receive $17,720 to install a geothermal system in the farm workshop.
• Doug Sombke, of Groton, has been selected to receive $35,486 to replace an inefficient grain dryer system with a new Brock dryer and Hutchinson grain handling system.
• Ochsner Real Estate, LP, of Aberdeen, has been selected to receive $250,000 to replace an inefficient grain dryer system with a new Zimmerman dryer and Schlagel grain handling system.
• Locken Farms, of Bath, has been selected to receive $25,640 to install a geothermal system in the farm workshop.
• David Pierce, of Wilmot, has been selected to receive $27,559 to purchase a 20 kilowatt Jacobs wind turbine, which is expected to replace 46 percent of the farm energy consumption.
• David Severson, of Lennox, has been selected to receive $43,513 to replace two conventional fuel dispensers with two Encore flex fuel blender pumps.
• Locken Oil, LLC, of Isabel, has been selected to receive $49,754 to replace an existing fuel dispenser with a new Ovation flex fuel blender pump.
• Ronald R. Tschetter, of Carpenter, has been selected to receive $49,999 to purchase a 65-kilowatt hour re-built Windmatic wind turbine.
• Corner Market, Inc., of Corsica, has been selected to receive $12,479 to install new grocery store coolers.
• Brent Kleinsasser, of Huron, has been selected to receive a $49,925 to replace an inefficient grain dryer system with a new more efficient grain dryer.
  
Under REAP, up to 25 percent of an eligible renewable energy system or energy efficiency improvement project can be funded through a grant, and additional support can be provided in the form of a loan guarantee.  Since the start of the Obama Administration, REAP has helped fund more than 8,250 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide. 
 
View the list of recipients announced today under the Rural Energy for America Program.  Each award is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant or loan agreement.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities.  Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.