USDA Rural Development State Director Patty Clark announced that the Agency is investing $237,000 in 12 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Kansas.
“USDA is committed to assisting small businesses and agricultural producers invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts,” said Clark. “The investment by the federal government and the 12 grant recipients will save approximately 660,000 kilowatt hours and create 139,000 kilowatt hours of energy in rural Kansas that will help stabilize future energy costs for the businesses.”
Funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP was created by the 2008 Farm Bill and was reauthorized by the recently passed 2014 Farm Bill.
Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), and geothermal.
USDA REAP grant recipients in Kansas include:
Renewable Energy Projects
- ISI Farms
Wichita, Kan.
$8,625 Grant
Funds will be used to install solar panels.
- Wayne C. Larson
Oberlin, Kan.
$49,875 Grant
Funds will be used to install a 30-kilowatt wind turbine to generate electricity for farm purposes.
- William Segebartt
Hepler, Kan.
$11,800 Grant
Funds will be used to install a biomass burner to heat an agricultural machine shop.
Energy Efficiency Projects
- Ned G. & Teresa Bergkamp
Garden Plain, Kan.
$5,957 Grant
Funds will be used to convert a diesel powered irrigation system to electric, and to install a variable frequency drive.
- BLI Rentals, LLC
Emporia, Kan.
$46,600 Grant
Funds will be used to upgrade lighting systems and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit for a small rural business.
- Haverkamp Grocery, Inc.
Centralia, Kan.
$30,988 Grant
Funds will be used to replace existing refrigeration and freezer cases at Haverkamp Grocery with more energy efficient models.
- Johnson Farms, Inc.
Bendena, Kan.
$36,872 Grant
Funds will replace an old inefficient grain dryer with a more efficient 350,000 bushel grain dryer.
- Marilyn J. Salmans
Hanston, Kan.
$8,378 Grant
Funds will be used to convert a diesel powered irrigation system to electric, and to install a variable frequency drive.
- McGinn Land Co., LLC
Sedgwick, Kan.
$20,000 Grant
Funds will be used to convert three diesel powered irrigation systems to electric.
- Spinning Pies, LLC
Independence, Kan.
$3,864 Grant
Funds will be used to replace an old heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit in a restaurant.
- Wiens Family Irrevocable Trust
Lyons, Kan.
$5,454 Grant
Funds will be used to convert a diesel powered irrigation system to electric, and to install a variable frequency drive.
- Willard’s Inc.
Osawatomie, Kan.
$8,561 Grant
Funds will be used to replace an old heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit in the Humboldt, Kan., grocery store.
Since 2009, REAP has supported more than 8,800 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide. During this period, USDA has provided more than $276 million in grants and $268 million in loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business owners.
For information on how to apply for REAP funding, contact a USDA Rural Development Business Program Specialist in Kansas:
- Doug Bruggeman, Hays Office, 785-628-3081, Ext. 1435, doug.bruggeman@ks.usda.gov
- Katie Casper, Iola Office, 620-365-2901, Ext. 1427, katie.casper@ks.usda.gov
- David Kramer, Topeka Office, 785-271-2700, Ext. 2736, david.kramer@ks.usda.gov
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $204.5 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.