CONNECTICUT FARM ENERGY
PROGRAM
Farm Energy Conference
November 5, 2013
Connecticut Farm Energy
The CT Farm Energy Program (CFEP) began in 2009 to
serve as a resource of information on assistance
and funding opportunities in relation to energy and
agriculture in Connecticut.
•
•
•
•
The CT Farm Energy website www.CTFarmEnergy.org
Publications such as the CT Farm Energy Best Management
Practice (BMP) guide
Workshops & Events
Email Updates & Correspondence
Partnership of Eastern CT RC&D Area, Inc.
& USDA - Rural Development
The CT Farm Energy Program also provides FREE grant
writing assistance to CT Farms and Rural Small
Businesses in Connecticut with applying for USDA
Rural Development REAP Grants.
Connecticut Assistance
STATE:
• Energize CT Programs:
Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund
Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority
(CEFIA)
• ZREC & LREC
• Connecticut Department of Agriculture
FEDERAL:
• USDA Rural Development – REAP Program
• USDA – NRCS EQIP Program
• USDA – FSA (Loans)
Conservation - 1st
Energy Efficiency - 2nd
Renewable Energy - 3rd
An Energy Audit is Your 1st step to achieving these goals.
Eligibility for Energy Initiative Assistance
 Applicant must be Eligible under the Farm Bill Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
 Participant & Land must both be Eligible under EQIP rules
 Contract may only include practices from a recently
completed Ag. Energy Management Plan (AgEMP122 or
124) or a comprehensive on-farm energy audit that meets
ASABE S612 Type 2 Standard
 An approved audit is REQUIRED for



374 Farmstead Energy Improvement
670 Lighting System Improvement
672 Building Envelope Improvement
Agricultural Energy Management Plan
(AgEMP)
• What is an AgEMP?
– An analysis of current farm infrastructure and
management with recommendations about how
to reduce energy consumption on the farm.
– These plans can be done on:
» Farm Headquarters such as dairy, greenhouse,
orchard or maple syrup operations.
» Field crops
– Many of the recommendations from the AgEMP
can be funded through EQIP financial assistance.
Type
AgEMP
2013
Payment
Rates
Livestock
Non-livestock
**2014
Payment
Rates Have
Not been
released
yet**
Mixed Enterprises
Size
Irrigated Crop
Field
EQIP General Rate
Historically Underserved Rate
<70 AU
NO
$1,153.00
$1,383.60
70-300 AU
NO
$1,510.41
$1,812.49
301 - 2500AU
NO
$1,859.81
$2,231.77
>2500 AU
NO
$2,409.81
$2,891.78
Single Enterprise
NO
$1,919.21
$2,303.06
Two Enterprises
NO
$2,440.92
$2,929.11
Three Enterprises
NO
$3,301.20
$3,961.44
Livestock & Non-Livestock
NO
$797.07
$956.48
<50 ac
NO
$1,244.70
$1,493.64
NO
$1,580.09
$1,896.11
500-5,000 ac
NO
$1,928.33
$2,317
>5,000 ac
NO
$2,503.77
$3,004.53
<50 ac
NO
$1,925.14
$2,310.17
50-499 ac
NO
$2,557.96
$3,069.55
500-5,000 ac
NO
$3,308.33
$3,970.00
> 5,000 ac
NO
$3,715.49
$4,458.59
Non-Irrigated Crop 50-499 ac
Field
Unit
2014 Payment Rates will be posted.
Go to: www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov search under Programs > Financial Assistance >EQIP > Conservation Activity Plans
Energy practices to be offered in 2014 include:




Maple Syrup Operations: Reverse
Osmosis, Enhanced Preheaters &
Evaporators (air injected,
parametric control and gasifiers)
High-efficiency Building Heating
Systems
Greenhouse Screens
Wall Insulation – for Buildings and
Greenhouses

Automatic Controller Systems

Variable Speed Drives

Motor Upgrades

Lighting – LED, Fluorescent

HAF Fans

Exhaust Fans

Compressor Heat Recovery

Plate Cooler

Root Zone Heating

Refrigeration Scroll Compressors

Greenhouse Roof Vents
2014 NRCS Conservation Programs Sign-up
Applications for AgEMP or implementation of
energy practices are accepted year-round, on a
continuous basis
NRCS ‘batches’ applications into a Batching
Group for ranking/funding purposes
FY 2014 Batching Group Dates for CT NRCS
Programs:



December 20, 2013
January 17, 2014
February 21, 2014
Questions about NRCS Energy Program?
Contact your local Service Center:
Fairfield & New Haven Counties:
51 Mill Pond Rd; Hamden CT
(203) 287-8038
Hartford & Tolland Counties:
100 Northfield St; Windsor CT
(860) 688-7725
Middlesex & New London Counties:
238 West Town St; Norwich CT
(860) 887-3604
Windham County:
71 Westcott Rd; Danielson CT
(860) 779-0557
Litchfield County:
1185 New Litchfield St; Torrington CT
(860) 626-8258
CT NRCS State Office:
344 Merrow Rd; Tolland CT
(860) 871-4011
Renewable Energy of
America Program (REAP)
What is REAP?
Also referred to as Section 9007 of the Farm Bill
Is a program of USDA Rural Development, Created in 2002 Farm Bill
The program is designed to assist agricultural producers & rural small businesses with energy projects
There is National and State allocations
REAP Grants can…..
• Purchase and Install Renewable Energy Systems
• Make Energy Efficiency Improvements
• Energy Audits
• Feasibility Studies
• Guaranteed Loans for energy projects
REAP Grants can not do.....
• Residential Improvements
• Energy Efficiency Improvements that are related to new construction
that is larger than existing size
• Agricultural Tillage Equipment
• Vehicles
USDA – Rural Development
REAP Eligibilty
AG Producer (50% of gross income must be from Ag production)
OR
 Small Business (Meets the definition of a small business according to SBA)


Project must be located in a Rural Area if a small business

Technically feasible & commercially available (off the shelf)

Renewable Energy projects require 2 separate electric meters if a residence
is on the farm

Energy Efficiency projects require an Energy Audit to be completed prior to
applying

RD Grant Approval required before project begins

Must not be debarred or have federal delinquency
Nonprofit organizations and public entities are not eligible.
REAP Grant Amounts
Energy Efficiency Projects
The minimum grant amount is $1,500 and the maximum grant amount is $250,000
Example $1,500 grant (25% of total project cost) min project cost $6,000.00
Renewable Energy Projects
The minimum grant amount is $2,500 and the maximum grant amount is $500,000.
Example $2,500 grant (25% of total project cost) min project cost $10,000.00
Feasibility Studies
The maximum grant amount is $50,000.
Minimum/Maximum Guaranteed Loan Amounts
The minimum guaranteed loan is $5,000 and the maximum loan guarantee is $25
million.
Grant can not exceed 25% of total project cost. Can apply for a guaranteed loan for up to 50%. The
remaining matching funds 25% must come from non-federal sources including assets, other available
state or local grants, loans or investors.
REAP Grants with CFEP Assistance
Since 2010 CFEP has helped to secure
$643,971.00 in REAP Funds for Connecticut of
which $169,618.00 was 2013 REAP Grants
Examples of REAP Grants Funded











Specialty Plant Grower – Energy Efficiency Project to replace lights in the greenhouses. - $16,141.32
Specialty Plant Grower – Energy Efficiency Project with multiple measures - $12,477.00
Vineyard – Renewable Energy Project to install solar $22,637.00
Dairy Farm – Renewable Energy Project to install solar $77,363.00
Grower & Farmstand – Renewable Energy Project to install solar $41,000.00
Greenhouse Grower- Energy Efficiency Project to replace glass and install shade/heat curtain in the
greenhouse - $18,885.00
Vineyard - Energy Efficiency Project to upgrade refrigeration system and insulate tanks and piping $20,000.
Greenhouse - Energy Efficiency Project to upgrade outdated in-efficient oil burning heater units with
new energy efficient gas powered heater units - $45,218.
Perennial Grower - Renewable Energy Project to install solar for greenhouse use - $20,000.
Historic Mill - Renewable Energy Project to install hydro-electric system - $275,000.
Veterinary Hospital - Renewable Energy Project to install free standing solar panel system - $31,750
in REAP Grant Funds with a $63,500 Guaranteed Loan.
REAP Funding
USDA Rural Development puts out a NOSA (notice of soliciting applications) once a year,
then you have 60 days to submit your application. 2013 NOSA came out in March due in
May and we expect it to be similar this year.
Since we are on a continuation pattern with the Farm Bill it is unclear at this point what
fund allocations will be in 2014.
Next Step…..
Do you meet eligibility requirements?
Have you had an Energy Audit done?
Do you have a project in mind? (CT Farm Energy BMP Guide can help with that)
Have you meet with contractors for cost estimates? (More than 2 estimates is best)
Have you selected a contractor and do you have a budget/funding sources
Connecticut Farm Energy
CFEP Projects & Upcoming Events
Connecticut Farm Energy Best Management Practice Guide is available online at
www.CTFarmEnergy.org
Connecticut Farm Energy Survey is currently open until December 31, 2013 and farms
are encouraged to take it online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/CTFarmEnergy
“This Project was funded in part by matching funds from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture through the
Community Investment Act, 05-228.”
2013/2014 Connecticut Farm Energy Grant Assistance Workshops
Connecticut Department of
Agriculture
Grants & Deadlines
1. Farm Transition Grant (Applications from farmers and agricultural cooperatives )
Deadline is November 8, 2014
Priority will be give to projects involving the following:
 strengthening of agricultural infrastructure
 other adaptations to increases in the number and/or severity of weather events
 operations to follow GAP and/or anticipated FSMA requirements
2. Farm Viability Grant (Applications for Non-Profits and Municipalities)
Deadline is December 9, 2013
3. Farm Reinvestment Grant – Deadline is April 2014 (If Funding is available)
Contact Information for AG Grants
Ron Olsen at Ronald.Olsen@ct.gov 860-713-2550
Applications are available at www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3260&q=419410
CONTACT US
Eastern CT RC&D Area, Inc.
CT Farm Energy Program
Middlesex County Extension Office
1066 Saybrook Rd, Po Box 70
Haddam, CT 06438
(860) 345-3977
www.CTFarmEnergy.org
USDA – Rural Development
David Brown
USDA Service Center
100 Northfield Drive, 4th Floor
Windsor, CT 06095
(860) 688-7725 Ext. 135
This is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Tolland AG Center (TAC)
24 Hyde Ave
Vernon, CT 06066
www.EasternRCD-CT.org