Rural Development accepting applications for Rural Energy for America

Rural Development is accepting applications for the Rural Energy For America Program. The next grant application deadline is March 31, 2022. This grant application deadline is for projects which request $20,000 or less and for projects which request up to $500,000.

In brief, this program is designed to assist rural, small, for-profit businesses and agricultural producers install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. These improvements can help eligible applicants control energy costs and improve the overall profitability of their operations. The grant program can cover up to 25% of the eligible project costs while the loan guarantee can cover up to 75% of the eligible project costs. Federal participation cannot exceed 75% of eligible project costs.

Grants can range from $1,500 to $500,000 with loan guarantees up to $25,000,000.

This program has helped farmers replace grain dryers; replace fans and lights for livestock operations; and install solar PV arrays to help offset electrical consumption.

Small businesses have benefited through the replacement of lighting with high efficiency LED lighting; improvements to HVAC systems; and the installation of a renewable energy system to help offset electrical consumption.

Additional information can be found at: Rural Energy for America Program.

Should you be interested in discussing a specific project or in receiving an application for your project, please contact one of the persons listed below:

Danielle Fry, Business Program Specialist, [email protected]
Ann Stahl, Business Program Specialist [email protected]
Jennifer Brown, Business Program Specialist [email protected]
Marcy Lucas, Business Program Specialist [email protected]
Evan Kohler, Business Program Specialist [email protected]

Available scholarships

I'm eternally grateful for the support Ohio Farm Bureau scholarships provided in helping me turn my dreams into reality.

Bethany Starlin

Hocking County Farm Bureau

Available scholarships

Leadership development

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

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development

Growing our Generation

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

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation

Business Solutions

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

Way Farms

Business Solutions

Young Ag Professionals program

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

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience

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Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience

Advocacy

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

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy

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