VAAFM - Renewable Energy on the Farm

Vermont Agency of Agriculture

Food and Markets

vermont.gov

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Renewable Energy on the Farm - Grant Opportunities

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
	REAP Grants are available to help farms with the planning, research and economic feasibility of renewable energy projects that are on farms or will help farmers. For more detail download: Reap Grant Summary.pdf

	Best Management Practices Grants are available for water quality improvements including manure handling practices that are approved with a standard written by NRCS. For more information contact Rob Achilles, rob.achilles@state.vt.us, (802) 828-6510.

	Alternative Manure Management Grants are available for manure management practices that are not yet in an NRCS standard but show promise in being able to help farmers deal with nutrient issues. Some of these projects have had a renewable energy component. For more information on these contact Rob Achilles, rob.achilles@state.vt.us (802) 828-6510.

Vermont Department of Public Service
	Clean Energy Development Fund is offering a combination of loans and grants to fund renewable energy projects. For more information refer to: http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy/ee_cleanenergyfund.html

	Small Wind and Solar Incentive Program was developed to accelerate and increase market demand for high-quality solar and small wind systems. Farms are eligible for this cost-share program. More information can be found at: http://www.rerc-vt.org/incentives/

United State Department of Agriculture
	USDA Rural Development Grants and Loan Guarantee funding is available from USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program to assist agricultural producers and rural small businesses with costs for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and efficiency projects are eligible. Call 802-828-6031 or visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/vt for more information. Grant funds for feasibility analysis and economic planning activities for projects where energy generated on-farm comes from agricultural commodities is also available through USDA Rural Development's Value-Added Producer Grant program. Call 802-828-6031 or visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/vt for more information.

	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funding opportunities for nutrient management and conservation practices and while they do not fund energy projects, parts of project (i.e. anaerobic digestion of manure) may be eligible. For more information contact your local NRCS Service Center. The location of the centers in Vermont is available at: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=vt

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
	Biomass to Biofuels Grants The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) provides grants and technical assistance to accelerate the development of Vermont’s green economy. Our current efforts focus on the intersection between biofuels, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable forestry. Later in 2008, VSJF will be requesting proposals for a wide range of biomass to biofuels projects through funds obtained through the U.S. Department of Energy. To receive more information about grant opportunities and deadlines, or to learn about our technical assistance program, the Peer to Peer Collaborative, please email us at info@vsjf.org or visit us on the web at www.vsjf.org.