Posted: 05.17.2010

Ivan Dozier, Acting State Conservationist for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wisconsin today announced that Wisconsin will receive $60,000 in funding for an initiative designed to help agricultural producers transition to more energy efficient operations.   Applications for Ag Energy Management Plans are due by June 18 at NRCS offices located at USDA Service Centers statewide.

Funding for the farm energy audit evaluations will be through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The energy audits will be individually tailored to ensure coverage of each farm's primary energy uses such as milk cooling, ventilation of livestock production facilities, manure collection and transfer, grain drying, and similar common on-farm activities.

"Farmers use a large amount of energy during the normal operation of a typical farm. This initiative will make funding available for individual on-farm energy audits. This audit will save both money and energy not only for the farmer but for the community as a whole, when fully implemented," said Dozier.

Other participating states include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Implementation will occur in stages beginning with the short-term immediate goal of providing the on-farm energy audits to help identify how the operations can become more energy efficient. Longer term goals will involve implementation of the recommendations provided in their on-farm energy audits.

EQIP payments will range from $750 to $1500 for most operations to cover the cost of developing an AgEMP that meets NRCS standards. Eligible producers may apply at their local NRCS office. EQIP payments are made directly to program participants for development of an AgEMP by a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP) http://techreg.usda.gov/CustLocateTSP.aspx  .

Information about how to apply for an AgEMP is available at http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip.html  Livestock, crop and other agricultural operations are included in this energy efficiency initiative.

For information about other NRCS conservation programs, online visit: www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov , or contact the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center serving your county.

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