energy

The USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) can provide grants and/or loan guarantees for rural businesses and farmers to install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. These types of improvements can help control energy input costs and improve overall profitability of operations. The grant program can cover 25% of the eligible project costs, while the loan guarantee can cover up to 75% of the eligible project costs. Grants can range from $1,500 to $500,000 with loan guarantees up to $25 million.

Those who qualify must be either an agricultural producer (at least 50% of gross income coming from agricultural operations) or a small business in areas with populations less than 50,000. A “small” business is defined by Small Business Association guidelines.

To apply

The next deadline for this program is Oct. 31. Application materials can be found at ofb.ag/reapenergy under the “To Apply’ tab.

For more information about REAP, contact Randy Monhemius, business programs specialist, at [email protected] or 614-255-2424.

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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