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

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.

Partnership of Eastern CT RC&D Area, Inc. & USDA -

Rural Development

Connecticut AssistanceSTATE:• 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

An Energy Audit is Your 1st step to achieving these goals.

Energy Efficiency - 2ndRenewable Energy - 3rd

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.

AgEMP 2013

Payment Rates

**2014 Payment

Rates Have Not been released

yet**

2014 Payment Rates will be posted. Go to: www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov search under Programs > Financial Assistance >EQIP > Conservation Activity Plans

Type Size Unit EQIP General Rate  Historically Underserved Rate

Livestock

<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

Non-livestock

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

Mixed Enterprises Livestock & Non-Livestock NO $797.07 $956.48

Non-Irrigated Crop

Field

<50 ac NO $1,244.70 $1,493.64

50-499 ac 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

Irrigated Crop

Field

<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

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 Plate Cooler Refrigeration Scroll Compressors

Automatic Controller Systems

Variable Speed Drives

Motor Upgrades

Lighting – LED, Fluorescent

HAF Fans

Exhaust Fans

Compressor Heat Recovery

Root Zone Heating

Greenhouse Roof Vents

Energy practices to be offered in 2014 include:

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?

Fairfield & New Haven Counties:51 Mill Pond Rd; Hamden CT(203) 287-8038

Middlesex & New London Counties:238 West Town St; Norwich CT(860) 887-3604

Litchfield County:1185 New Litchfield St; Torrington CT(860) 626-8258

Contact your local Service Center:Hartford & Tolland Counties:100 Northfield St; Windsor CT(860) 688-7725

Windham County:71 Westcott Rd; Danielson CT(860) 779-0557

CT NRCS State Office:344 Merrow Rd; Tolland CT(860) 871-4011

Renewable Energy of America Program (REAP)

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

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

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 ProjectsThe minimum grant amount is $1,500 and the maximum grant amount is $250,000Example $1,500 grant (25% of total project cost) min project cost $6,000.00

Renewable Energy ProjectsThe 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 StudiesThe maximum grant amount is $50,000.

Minimum/Maximum Guaranteed Loan AmountsThe 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

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.

Since 2010 CFEP has helped to secure $643,971.00 in REAP Funds for Connecticut of which $169,618.00 was 2013 REAP Grants

REAP FundingUSDA 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.

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

Next Step…..

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 & Deadlines1. Farm Transition Grant (Applications from farmers and agricultural cooperatives )

Deadline is November 8, 2014Priority 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 GrantsRon Olsen at Ronald.Olsen@ct.gov 860-713-2550Applications are available at www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3260&q=419410

CONTACT USCT Farm Energy ProgramMiddlesex County Extension Office1066 Saybrook Rd, Po Box 70Haddam, CT 06438(860) 345-3977www.CTFarmEnergy.org

Eastern CT RC&D Area, Inc.Tolland AG Center (TAC)

24 Hyde AveVernon, CT 06066

www.EasternRCD-CT.org

USDA – Rural DevelopmentDavid Brown

USDA Service Center100 Northfield Drive, 4th Floor

Windsor, CT 06095(860) 688-7725 Ext. 135

This is an Equal Opportunity Employer