Sign Up this week for Farm Energy Planning Cost Share

This week is the deadline to sign up for Natural Resource Conservation Service(NRCS)  EQUIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Plan) cost share. The Clayton County Clean Energy District highly encourages Clayton County farmers with high energy inputs to consider completion of a Farm Energy Plan.  Eligible farmers could qualify for a significant cost share for energy audits and plans conducted by a registered Technical Service Provider (TSP).  Applications for  farm energy audits are likely to be funded and applicants usually find out in January.  Next year, once contracts have been obligated, recipients can contact the Clean Energy District, TSP/ Energy Planner, Joel Zook at 319-640-9006.

Based on complexity, energy plans can run up to $1000; so cost share maybe a great advantage for Clayton County farmers.  After a plan has been completed by a TSP then farmers can apply for cost share on energy saving projects such as barn renovations, insulation, LED lighting transitions, energy efficient equipment, HVAC systems, grain drying
and much more!

In our area, it is estimated over $100 million is spent per year on agricultural energy inputs. One thing is for sure energy efficient practices lead to an expanded bottom line.  Less money spent on energy leads to more dollars to invest in the local economy and a bonus, positive impact on climate change!

Interested applicants should stop in to the NRCS office, in Elkader, by Friday, October 20th.