The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Thursday (11.14) announced investments of over $18 million in 195 projects across Iowa to ag producers and rural small business owners through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Several projects will reduce energy usage by 75 to 100% over a year.
Theresa Greenfield, Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield says, “All these projects funded today shine a light on how to fulfill the promise of reliable, renewable clean energy for Iowans, while lowering costs for ag producers, small businesses, and families in Iowa.”
Among the REAP grants approved in Iowa include over $650,000 for Gold-Eagle Cooperative to install a 650 kilowatt (kW) solar array at its livestock feed manufacturing, grain marketing and agronomy operations in Woden and Hutchins in Hancock County. This project will reduce use by nearly 900,000 kilowatt hours (kWh), enough electricity to power 83 homes.
Over $365,000 for Nate Hansen to install an energy efficient grain drying system at his production operation near Hampton, Franklin County; saving over 330,000 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power 30 homes.
Over $280,000 to help Fahr Beverage install a 225 kilowatt (kW) solar array at its beer and ale merchant wholesaler operation in West Union, replacing 268,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, enough electricity to power 26 homes.
Almost $260,000 to Bottlebrush Swine to install a 250 kilowatt (kW) solar array at its hog production farm operations near Garner and near Ventura, replacing almost 340,000 kilowatt hours per year, enough electricity to power 31 homes.
Almost $130,000 for Alvin Marth to install two 57 kilowatt (kW) solar arrays at his oilseed and grain combination farm near Rockford, replacing over 150,000 kilowatt hours per year, enough electricity to power 14 homes.
Nearly $100,000 to help Brady Reicks and Eastern Holdings LLC install a 110 kilowatt (kW) solar array at its non-residential building leasing business in Charles City, a 150,000 kilowatt hours per year reduction, enough electricity to power 14 homes.
A link to the complete list of projects: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/ia-usda-rd-reap-program-list-20241114.pdf
