Farm Energy Working Group

Promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy practices to meet the needs of Iowa's small to mid-sized farm operations.

UNI's Center for Energy & Environmental Education facilitates the development and coordination of a state-wide “Farm Energy Working Group." The Working Group consists of key state organizations, energy practitioners, and farmers throughout the state. Participants exchange insights, learn from one another’s expertise, network, support implementation of efficiency and renewable energy on Iowa farms, and learn from existing examples in Iowa and around the nation.

We meet 3-4 times per year. Meetings are open to anyone interested in reducing energy use and/or exploring alternative energy use for small to mid-size farms in Iowa. Meetings consist of presentations by leading practitioners to share their insights and expertise on specific topics such as small wind turbines for farm use, solar hot water for farm, efficient agricultural buildings, solar-powered livestock watering systems, farm energy audits, bio-gas systems, farm energy calculators, and more.

The group offers small seed grants to assist with energy efficiency and alternative energy implementation on the farm and provides free webinars throughout the year. Join our email list to keep up-to-date on meeting and webinar dates and times.




Farm Energy Working Group webinar -
Farm Service Agency Micro-loan Program
Join the Farm Energy Working Group for a free webinar on Thursday, February 21st from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
 
Join us as Brian Gossling presents on Iowa State Farm Service Agency's recently launched Microloan program. Microloans are designed for beginning and small farmers with traditional, niche and specialty operations. The loans are limited to $35,000 with the intent of requiring less paperwork and financial analysis than our traditional loan programs. The application process will be streamlined for the applicant and FSA and the program is designed to allow more flexibility, thereby allowing more operations an opportunity to use the program. Click here for more information and to register.


"One Stop Shop" featured in Leopold Center newsletter
Check out the Farm Energy Working Group's One Stop Shop and read more in the Leopold Center's fall newsletter.