Today, in honor of Earth Day 2024, Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding 19 clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to domestic biofuels and create jobs and new market opportunities for Wisconsin farmers, small business owners and agricultural producers.
“Today’s announcement showcases the variety of rural people and businesses using programs like the Rural Energy for America Program to save money on their energy costs that can then be reinvested in their operations,” said Lassa. “This not only strengthens their business but helps sustain and build the local economy.”
Rural Clean Energy Production in Wisconsin
Lassa announced more than $2.8 million in grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) during a visit Tuesday to David Blashe’s cabinet manufacturing company in rural Shawano County.
Recipients in Wisconsin include:
Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. Inc. in Wausau will use a $793,450 grant to install a solar electric array. The project is expected to save $70,770 per year. It will replace 1,263,753 kilowatt hours (kWh) (31 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 116 homes.
Associated Milk Producers, Inc. in Jim Falls will use a $500,000 grant to install more efficient steam boilers. The project is expected to save $146,508 per year. It will save 9,052,798 kilowatt-hours (kWh) (Nine percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 835 homes.
Clover Hill Dairy LLC in Campbellsport will use a $361,556 grant to replace existing diesel-powered feed mixing and moving equipment with more efficient electrically powered equipment. The project is expected to save $88,033 per year. It will save 1,097,060 kilowatt hours (20 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 101 homes.
Daigle Brothers Inc. in Tomahawk will use a $341,850 grant to install a small solar electric array. The project is expected to save $24,463 per year. It will replace 437,991 kilowatt hours (100 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 40 homes.
Boilini Farms Inc., in Burlington will use a $143,516 grant to install a new, more energy efficient grain dryer. The project is expected to save $9,122 per year. It will save 370,414 kilowatt-hours (68 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 34 homes.
Robert Helbach Jr. in Wittenberg will use a $122,539 grant to install an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save $4,615 per year. It will replace 37,783 kilowatt hours (kWh) (32 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.
Winter Cooperative in Bayfield will use a $84,162 grant to install more efficient refrigeration equipment and controls in their store. The project is expected to save $15,954 per year. It will save 161,152 kilowatt hours (39 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 14 homes.
Turnip Rock Farm in Clear Lake will use a $74,198 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the farming operation $7,882 per year. It will replace 71,653 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.
Rice’s More Than Floors LLC in Marshfield will use a $73,015 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save $7,358 per year. It will replace 80,571 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power seven homes.
Town and Country Stables in De Pere will use a $70,995 grant to install a roof mounted solar electric array. This project is expected to save the small business $6,898 per year. It will generate 62,711 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough to power five homes.
Horstmann Homestead Farm and Events LLC in West Salem will use a $63,982 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save $4,539 per year. It will replace 39,886 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.
Ackwood Lodge LLC in Hayward will use a $49,200 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the small business $2,826 per year. It will replace 21,708 kilowatt hours (100 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.
Anna Bonilla in Fennimore will use a $44,083 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the small business $4,627 per year in electrical costs. It will replace 41,999 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power four homes.
Foley’s Forest Products LLC in Tomahawk will use a $29,880 grant to install a small solar electric array. The project is expected to save the small business $3,637 per year. It will replace 30,060 kilowatt hours (31 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.
Northland Farms LLC in Rice Lake will use a $23,290 grant to replace a diesel irrigation pump motor with a more efficient electric pump motor. This project is expected to save the farming operation $2,973 per year. It will save 40,354 kilowatt hours (82 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.
Andy Pagel Ginseng Farms LLC in Merrill will use a $16,072 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the rural ag producer $2,008 per year. It will replace 11,261 kilowatt hours (kWh) (64 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power one home.
David Blashe in Marion will use a $13,166 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the rural cabinet maker $981 per year. It will replace 7,377 kilowatt hours (kWh) (89 percent of the company’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power one home.
The REAP program helps agricultural producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal, and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families.
Since FY 2021, USDA has announced in Wisconsin more than $14.5 million through REAP in 140 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners’ lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through September 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
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