Sustainability has been a fundamental tenant of the food cooperative movement since it began, and not only in terms of selling organic, sustainably-harvested food. Co-ops around the country are also turning to renewable energy. For the Astoria Co-op on the Oregon coast, that meant finding a way to offset the energy required to keep its products refrigerated. When the co-op began renovating its facility, it presented the perfect opportunity to install solar panels, but the cost exceed its budget.

In Moab, Utah, Community Rebuilds literally takes dirt-cheap sustainable, highly energy-efficient materials to build affordable homes. With assistance from USDA Rural Development’s Mutual Self-Help program, individuals can apply to build a natural self-help home.

After a borrower is approved, Community Rebuilds 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation (CR) instructs individuals in building straw bale homes; allowing the borrower to do sweat equity to lower the overall cost.

People driving through the town of Trenton, North Carolina, are seeing a new building right off the downtown area.

With the assistance of $1 million in grants from USDA Rural Development the town’s new fire station was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in October 2020.

The Trenton Fire department had to evacuate their previous firehouse due to flooding during Hurricane Florence.

In 2017, after years of planning, Sanford and Claire Stone realized their dream and broke ground on Park Cabin Company in Babb, Mont., an unincorporated farming and ranching community in Glacier County.

Their modern cabins are located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and serve as a base camp for folks who are visiting and adventuring in Glacier National Park.

Hunter Solar, LLC proposes to build a solar facility on approximately 571 acres.  The proposed Hunter Solar Project is located along the intersection of E Quincy Ave (Highway 30) and N County Road 129 (N Brickcenter Road), Bennett, Arapahoe County, Colorado.

Hunter Solar Project Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) - Tuesday, July 2, 2021

Environmental Assessment - May 2021

Holocene Clean Energy proposes to build a solar energy facility on approximately 35.7 acres.  The proposed Reams Solar Project is located on the south side of Old Vaughn Road near the town of Dinwiddie, Dinwiddie County, Virginia.

Environmental Assessment - May 2021

The Scuffleton Rural Fire Services Inc. is taking steps to assure they are ready for the next water emergency effecting their area with the purchase of an aluminum rescue boat.

Through a partnership with USDA Rural Development the fire department received a $31 thousand grant in 2020.