The Rural Energy For America grants issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are designed to provide guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

Michael Behringer, northern sales manager with Olson Solar Energy, based in LaCrosse, is trying to spread the word about the availability of this funding and how quickly this investment can be paid off.

Behringer says that they will assist any farms and agribusinesses interested in this opportunity by paying for a specialized grant writer to solicit the funds.

Some of the guidelines for farms and agribusinesses include these definitions.

• Agricultural producers
  • An entity directly engaged in production of agricultural products where at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations.
• Small businesses
  • Must be located in eligible rural areas and one of the following:
    • Private for-profit entity (sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation)
    • A Cooperative [including those qualified under Section 501(c)(12) of IRS Code]
    • An electric utility (including a Tribal or governmental electric utility) that provides service to rural consumers and operates independent of direct government control)
    • A Tribal corporation or other Tribal business entities that are chartered under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 USC 477) or have similar structures and relationships with their Tribal entity without regard to the resources of the Tribal government.
  • Must meet the Small Business Administration size standards in accordance with 13 CFR 121.