USDA is championing farm-based renewable energy on many fronts.(USDA)

Kiplinger Agriculture Letter, The, January, 2006

USDA is championing farm-based renewable energy on many fronts.

It'll award $22 million in grants and guarantee $10 million or more in loans this year for farm and rural projects for clean energy and energy efficiency. Grants or loans can total up to $500,000. USDA will request proposals this spring. Submissions are due by June. But note that Congress has sliced this funding to $3 million for FY 2007. For more information, go to www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html.

Farmers can also get renewable-energy aid in USDA green payments, the Conservation Security Program, a whole-farm conservation approach. USDA has expanded eligibility for green payments to include renewables... solar, biofuel and others. See details at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.