SWFSFN Announcement: May 6th Workshop of USDA Rural Development Energy Programs

Hello, members and supporters of the SW FL Small Farmers Network (SWFSFN).  I am pleased to send you the announcement of the Thursday, May 6^th, workshop of available USDA grants for renewable energy projects for your farming operations.  The location is Lake Placid.  Please, read the attachment file for all details.

 

Note from Rural Development Agency:  Eligibility varies from program to program, but generally for business and energy programs eligible areas are described as all rural areas other than cities greater than 50,000 population and their adjacent urbanized areas.  Per the 2000 Census, Orlando is not eligible for Rural Development programs, but there are rural areas in western Orange County that are.  Duval County is not eligible.

 

And you can always check your specific location by visiting the eligibility web site at http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do

 

Also, please, read the email below concerning the announcement itself.

 

Thanks,

Robert

 

 

Robert A. Kluson, Ph.D.

Agriculture/Natural Resources Extension Agent II

UF/IFAS - Sarasota County Extension

6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL  34241

(941) 232-3090;     FAX (941) 861-9886

http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/AG/ag.shtml         

 

 

 

 

 

From: Boukari, Ellen - Gainesville,, FL [mailto:ellen.boukari@fl.usda.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 08:29 AM
To: Robert Kluson
Subject: RE: USDA Rural Development Energy Programs
Importance: High

 

Robert,

 

Renewable energy programs provide loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements.

 

Renewable energy systems include those that generate energy from wind, the sun, biomass, geothermal sources, or that produce hydrogen from biomass or water using renewable energy, and ocean and hydroelectric source technologies.

 

Energy-efficiency projects typically involve installing or upgrading equipment to significantly reduce energy use.

 

Energy audits and feasibility studies are also eligible for assistance. Eligible applicants for energy audits include State, tribe, or local governments; land-grant colleges and universities; rural electric cooperatives; and public power entities.

 

Eligible applicants for feasibility studies include rural small businesses and agricultural producers.

 

We apologize for our oversight in not listing ag producers in the meeting notification you received.

 

Ellen Boukari | Public Information & Community Development Coordinator
Rural Development

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Florida & U.S. Virgin Islands
4440 NW 25th Place | Gainesville, FL  32606

Phone: 352-338-3414 |Fax: 352-338-3405

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/fl/

 

"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"