Energy Help for Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded a program that helps local farmers improve their overall energy efficiency, saving money while also benefitting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

On-farm energy audits tailored to each agricultural operation’s primary energy uses may be available to Island farms through the department’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. The audits help farmers determine the amount of energy used by the entire operation and also identify short and long-term measures farmers can implement to conserve energy and achieve greater energy efficiencies.

The audits must be conducted by certified technical service providers. Farmers who have had an energy audit conducted that meets or exceeds the program’s criteria may apply for technical and financial assistance to implement the audit’s recommendations.

Interested Vineyard farmers should contact the department’s Barnstable field office in Hyannis at 508-771-6476 for more information.