NOTE: 2017 Grant Deadlines: April 21, 2017 and October 16, 2017

The Agricultural Energy program provides grants to agricultural businesses in the state to improve their energy efficiency and promote adoption of renewable energy technologies. 

Eligibility

Only agricultural businesses are eligible to apply for the program. The agricultural operations may include horticulture, viticulture, floriculture, forestry, stabling or horses, dairy farming, aquaculture, raising of livestock, poultry, bees, or all such operations. The business must have produced at least $2,500 in annual income from farming operations. 

The program funds both energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Energy efficiency projects may include technologies to improve efficiency of the farm. Eligible renewable energy sources include photovoltaics, wind, solar thermal, geothermal heat pumps, and renewable energy advancing urban food gardens. Any other farm related energy efficiency and renewable energy projects will be considered. 

Program description

The program provides grants up to $20,000 to help with direct cost associated implementing the project. Although there is no maximum percentage of the total project cost funding that can be requested, projects that demonstrate other sources for funding are more  likely to be funded. 

Higher priority will be given to non-utility scale, or non-large scale commercial projects that demonstrate predominately agriculturally related renewable energy use. 

The farm operation must have performed or initiated an energy efficiency audit prior to the submittal of the application.