Farm Energy Working Group
Promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy practices to meet the needs of Iowa's small to mid-sized farm operations.
Farm Service Agency Cooler Program (Storage Facility Loan program) - Farmers apply to the FSA for funding to build/upgrade farm storage/handling facilities to store fruits/vegetables, renewable biomass, and other crops.
Fact sheet on FSA Storage Facility Loan program>
Fact sheet on FSA Cold Storage program for fruits, vegetables, nuts>
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – This USDA program offers grants and loans for energy production and conservation projects in four areas:
Iowa USDA REAP home page>
To find an Iowa Rural Development office near you>
Iowa Energy Center Loans
Eligibility: Individuals and groups who build alternate energy production facilities in Iowa. Application required.
Funding: Up to 50% of financed project cost at 0% interest rate. Applicants apply to a local lender for the other 50% of the loan.
Read about Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program guidelines and case studies>
Grants, Loans for Farm Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy
Farm Service Agency Cooler Program (Storage Facility Loan program) - Farmers apply to the FSA for funding to build/upgrade farm storage/handling facilities to store fruits/vegetables, renewable biomass, and other crops.
Fact sheet on FSA Storage Facility Loan program>
Fact sheet on FSA Cold Storage program for fruits, vegetables, nuts>
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – This USDA program offers grants and loans for energy production and conservation projects in four areas:
- renewable energy,
- energy efficiency,
- feasibility studies for renewable energy,
- energy audits and renewable energy development assistance.
Iowa USDA REAP home page>
To find an Iowa Rural Development office near you>
Iowa Energy Center Loans
Eligibility: Individuals and groups who build alternate energy production facilities in Iowa. Application required.
Funding: Up to 50% of financed project cost at 0% interest rate. Applicants apply to a local lender for the other 50% of the loan.
Read about Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program guidelines and case studies>
EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) On-Farm Energy Initiative
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) uses EQIP to help producers address energy conservation.
- Includes on-farm energy audit plus financial/technical assistance to implement conservation practices recommended in the energy audit.
- Eligible Practices: On-farm energy improvement, no-till, cover crop, conservation rotation
- Eligibility: Producers who grow agricultural commodities on eligible land and have resource concerns which may be addressed by energy conservation practices.
- Payments: Up to $300,000/person or entity for 6-year period.
- Look at the Ranking Tool for FY 2012 – EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative>
Farm Service Agency (FSA) proposed microloans for small farms –
Watch for regulations in late winter 2012 / early spring 2013
- Target audience includes non-traditional farm operations/small specialty producers
- Farms that gross less than $25,000/year
- Cover start-up expenses: hoop houses, tools, irrigation, delivery vehicles, seed, fertilizer, utilities, marketing, distribution expenses, minor improvements to farm real estate (shed/storage structures)
- Modifying regular loan application form, eligible, security requirements, farm assessment.