opens IMAGE file Mountain View Farm in Easthampton, MA was awarded $30,000 through an MDAR grant to obtain their solar panels.
The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program (MFEP) is a joint project of the Center for EcoTechnology and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) that offers a range of services to Massachusetts farms to help them reduce energy use and produce renewable energy.
Staff from the MFEP recently hosted a webinar on the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Agricultural Energy Grants. The webinar covered:
- Who is eligible for each grant
- The requirements
- How to apply
- How the applications are scored
For farms and small businesses that were unable to attend, the webinar was recorded and is available below.
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP):
opens IMAGE file Little Brook Farm in Sunderland, MA was awarded $27,085 between MDAR and REAP grants for their solar project.
USDA’s REAP grant is a federal program that provides funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the country. Information about the Massachusetts REAP program can be found here. Grants cover 25% of the total project cost, up to $250,000 for efficiency projects and $500,000 for renewable projects.
The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program is available to help farms understand if this grant is right for them, line up all required documents ahead of the deadline, and fill out the application.
If you are interested in the REAP grant, please contact info@massfarmenergy.comcreate new email to obtain the application. Older versions you may find on the web are out of date, and may not include all the required forms. MFEP staff have the most recent and fully complete version.
The REAP deadline is April 2nd, and applications must be submitted in person or via mail to any Rural Development office in MA by 4:30 on that date.
MDAR’s Agricultural Energy Grant:
MDAR’s Agricultural Energy grant is a competitive program that funds energy efficiency and renewable energy projects implemented by Massachusetts farms. Grants of up to $30,000 are available for most projects, with additional funds for state identified ‘Special Projects’ such as Zero Net Energy Greenhouses and Heat Recovery for Anaerobic Digesters. (Click here for a full list of Special Project Categories and funding amounts).
The MFEP is available to help farms understand if this grant is right for them, as well as assist with answering questions about the application and making sure all necessary requirements are fulfilled.
Agricultural Energy Grant applications can be obtained here. The deadline is April 25th, and applications must be submitted in person or via mail by 3:00 on that date.
