Secretary Vilsack announces $13 million for renewable energy projects

Nashville company makes the list

September 2, 2009 - DECATUR, Ill.– Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the department is providing more than $13 million in loans and grants for 233 renewable energy projects in 38 states under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), including one in Nashville, Tenn. Dallas Tonsager, Under Secretary for Rural Development, made the announcement on behalf of Vilsack during a speech at the Farm Progress Show.

"Under President Obama's leadership, USDA is working to increase the availability of renewable energy, which not only will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but also strengthen our national economy," Vilsack said. "The funding announced today will help expand renewable energy in America, which is a key part of the nation's long-term strategy for continued economic prosperity and energy independence."

The loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies and energy audits. These funds are not part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. For more information on the REAP program, which is authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, please visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html.

Nashville Natives Nursery, LLC, of Fairview, Tenn., was selected to receive a $17,077 grant to help fund installation of a solar power system. The photovoltaic panels are expected to generate 8.28 kilowatts of electricity, enough to offset 100 percent of the company's average annual energy demand. The company specializes in native wildflowers, grasses and trees and is a Live Roof licensed grower. More information is available at www.nashvillenatives.com/.

An announcement regarding additional REAP grant applications pending from Tennessee is expected in the near future.

Terrydale Farms, Inc., in Charleston, Ill., was selected to receive a $20,000 grant to replace a 25-year-old grain dryer that uses a labor-intensive process that often results in under- or over-dried grain. The replacement dryer will use technology that automatically adjusts the burner temperature to produce evenly dried grain in a shorter period of time. The new system is expected to reduce energy consumption by nearly 37 percent annually – or 125 million BTUs – and lower Terrydale Farms' annual energy bill by more than $8,500.

REAP funding is already contributing to increased renewable energy production. For example, in 2003, USDA Rural Development approved a $300,000 renewable energy grant to Lincolnland Agri-Energy, LLC., in Palestine, Ill. The 453-farmer cooperative operates a livestock feed production plant and a 49-million-gallon-per-year ethanol plant. The grant enabled the cooperative to by a $1.4 million thermal oxidizer to control plant emissions. This critical piece of equipment removes 75 percent of the emissions from the dryer exhaust without reducing plant performance. The oxidizer has another benefit: the heat it produces is captured in a steam recovery system and turned into energy. Lincolnland's USDA grant produced 37 local jobs.

Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant or loan agreement.

The following is a complete list of REAP projects announced today.

Alaska

• Alascon Precast Shop, $3,700 grant
• Heavenly Ridge, $3,800 grant
• Bear Creek Winery, $4,500 grant
• Alaska Power and Telephone Company, $50,000 grant

Arkansas

• Winds of Change Leaseholding, LLC, $41,085 grant

Arizona

• Sun Valley Roofing Company, $13,281 grant
• Mantere, LLC, $10,000 grant
• Sulfur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, $99,750 grant

Colorado

• M&M Land Management, LLC, $45,882 grant
• Gunnison County Electric Association, Inc., $73,890 grant

Connecticut

• Emery Nemeskay Plumbing & Heating, LLC, $24,600 grant
• Historic Cargill Falls Mill, LLC, $5,000 grant
• Putnam Green Power, LLC, $50,000 grant
• Logee's Greenhouses, Ltd, $195,650 grant; $391,310 loan

Georgia

• Garland Theodore Cowan, Jr.,$11,232 grant
• Hanson H. Hudson, Jr.,$16,092 grant
• Boyd Hagerson, $7,924 grant
• Susan Holt, $7,195 grant
• Norman C. Fussell, $19,958 grant
• Bart Bradley, $15,642 grant
• T & T Sumner Farms, $13,815 grant
• J. Paul Wallace Farms, $12,798 grant
• University of Georgia, $100,000 grant

Idaho

• Arkoosh Hydroelectric, Inc., $12,500 grant
• Innovative Energy, LLC, $50,000 grant
• Murphy Flat Wind, LLC, $50,000 grant
• Preston Whitney Irrigation Company, $12,500 grant

Illinois

• Steven Haas, $20,000 grant
• Terrydale Farms, Inc. $20,000 grant
• Saddle Club Farms Corporation, $19,665 grant
• Merritt & Merritt, Inc., $20,000 grant
• Jo-Carroll Energy, Inc., $100,000 grant
• Ron Schlesinger, $23,799 grant; $23,799 loan
• Daryl Sondgeroth, $49,833 grant; $49,833 loan
• JB Hunter, $42,857 grant; $50,000 loan
• Matson Farms, Inc., $47,566 grant; $47,566 loan
• Nolan Henert, $49,604 grant; $49,604 loan
• Owens Brothers Farms, $22,500 grant; $45,000 loan
• Thad Bramm, $26,906 grant; $26,906 loan
• Gene Kruse, $25,625 grant; $25,625 loan
• James Daehler, $22,740 grant; $22,740 loan
• Fawn Midwest, Inc., $47,693, grant
• Thacker Farms, $40,679 grant
• F&F Farms, $49,615 grant
• Kelso Brothers, $30,804 grant
• David Damhoff, $25,933 grant
• Bell Enterprises, Inc., $34,415 grant
• Frank Hopkins Jr., $46,352 grant
• Devin Henkel, $49,400 grant

Indiana

• Larry Peacock , $13,998 grant
• Brookview Farms, $19,840 grant
• Pioneer Wind Energy, LLC, $50,000 grant
• Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., $100,000 grant

Iowa

• Christopher J. Schwarck, $19,902 grant
• Jason Meester, $18,450 grant
• Joe Duwe, $10,533 grant
• Ted Becker, $12,280 grant
• Kevin L. Pietig, $12,252 grant
• Kurt Steinbronn, $20,000 grant
• Keith Franck, $20,000 grant
• Milford Helgeson Farms, Inc.,$20,000 grant
• Deutmeyer Farms, Inc., $6,750 grant
• Roger Schmitt $20,000 grant
• Neumayer Farm Partnership, $20,000 grant
• Michael L. Haubrich, $20,000 grant
• Bruce Schultz, $20,000 grant
• Boshart & Sons, $20,000 grant
• Jason Wiebers $15,995 grant
• Oldham Farms, Inc., $19,784 grant
• Neil Kruger, $19,874 grant
• Daniel Bockenstedt, $20,000 grant
• Leslie Clampitt, $20,000 grant
• Bates Family Farms Corporation, $19,992 grant
• Buskohl, Mark, $19,836 grant
• 3Fueled, LLC, $50,000 grant
• LincolnWay Energy, LLC, $10,000 grant
• Market Management Services, LLC, $18,000 grant
• Consumers Energy Cooperative, $100,000 grant
• Hawkeye Tri-County Electric, $100,000 grant
• Alan Laubenthal, $38,722 grant; $77,444 loan
• Ronald Bowman $23,681 grant; $47,363 loan
• Klover Pork, LLC, $34,302 grant; $68,604 loan
• Garry Anstoetter, $24,320 grant; $24,320 loan
• Dale Zhorne $38,349 grant; $38,349 loan
• McCool Bros., LLC, $30,971 grant; $31,141 loan
• Steven Mummelthei, $39,313 grant; $78,625 loan
• Jack D. Moulds, $49,982 grant; $99,964 loan
• Dean & Sandra, Inc., $27,388 grant; $27,388 loan
• Michael Blake $49,121 grant; $49,121 loan
• Danny Newell $41,559 grant $41,559 loan
• Jay R. Clasing $155,794 grant; $311,588 loan
• Steve Robinson, $27,500 grant; $27,500 loan
• Milford Wind Energy, LLC, $500,000 grant; $1,831,820 loan
• Seuntjens Farm, Partnership, $37,240 grant; $37,240 loan
• Daniel Lonnevik, $31,912 grant, $63,824 loan
• D J Keehner Farms, Inc., $25,678 grant; $25,678 loan
• Franzen Brothers, $50,000 grant; $66,750 loan

Kansas

• Galen L. Neher, $9,240 grant
• Danken Energy, LLC, $38,800 grant

Kentucky

• EffENERGY, LLC, $50,000 grant
• Genesis Development of Kentucky, LLC, $44,577 grant

Louisiana

• St. Landry Land Holdings, LLC, $3,750 grant

Massachusetts

• Allen Farm, Inc., $10,000 grant
• Barnstable County, $100,000 grant

Maryland

• Cascia Vineyards, $2,500 grant

Maine

• State of Maine, Public Utilities Commission, Efficiency Maine, $100,000 grant

Michigan

• Beebe Community Wind Farm, LLC, $50,000 grant
• Michigan State University, $100,000 grant

Minnesota

• Larry Hoffman, $19,987 grant
• Bruce Kesteloot, $12,393 grant
• Gary Engelby $16,691 grant
• Nancy Schumacher, $12,225 grant
• Gregory Guetter, $13,948 grant
• Kriene Kramer, $13,624 grant
• Peter and Paul Wendinger, $19,850 grant
• David Efta, $18,435 grant
• Mark Sikkink, $19,975 grant
• Lyndon Kunkel, $17,435 grant
• Robert Schmidt, $19,464 grant
• Paul Gergen, $18,005 grant
• Mark Parker, $7,056 grant
• Colleen Lamon, $7,203 grant
• Allen Weckwerth, $17,685 grant
• Farm Boys, LLC, $20,000 grant
• Harland E. Nelson, $18,040 grant
• Ronald Marzinske, $12,408 grant
• Cletus C. & Dennis C. Gregor, Partnership, $12,902 grant
• Dan Pettis, $11,658 grant
• Dennis Preuss, $20,000 grant
• Alan Scheuer, $20,000 grant
• Scott Ryan, $19,396 grant
• Blake T. Webster, $18,187 grant
• Craig and Kathy Damstrom, $18,750 grant
• Eagle Crest Wind, LLC, $21,250 grant
• Heron Lake Bio Energy, $20,000 grant
• J & L Hennum, Inc., $7,173 grant
• Joseph Schaffer, $24,350 grant
• Larson Products, Inc., $25,000 grant
• Rocky Top Wind, $21,250 grant
• Frederic Hiniker, $35,908 grant; $35,908 loan
• Gary Sonstegard, $43,455 grant; $43,455 loan
• South Branch Farms, $32,943 grant; $32,943 loan
• Connelly Farms, $33,215 grant; $33,215 loan
• Marquette Farms, $46,948 grant; $46,948 loan
• Thomas F. Lorenzen, $32,899 grant; $32,899 loan
• McCue Farms, Partnership, $44,831 grant; $44,831 loan

Missouri

• Show Me Green Coal Management, LLC, $12,500 grant
• Grundy Electric Cooperative, Inc., $100,000 grant
• Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., $100,000 grant

Mississippi

• Lisa Rushing, $4,910 grant

North Carolina

• C.E. McSwain & Son, Inc., $10,045 grant
• Joseph F. Baker Farms, Inc., $13,850 grant
• Wiley B. Gillam, III, $19,888 grant
• David Parker, $4,679 grant

North Dakota

• W-E Wind, LLC, $8,750 grant

Nebraska

• Paul Corkle, $3,628 grant
• John Kraye, $8,757 grant
• Wray Wanches, Inc., $8,000 grant
• Lyle Spangler, $9,054 grant
• Michael Freeman, $5,625 grant
• Phillip Merrill, $12,857 grant
• Cottonwood Land & Cattle, LLC, $7,877 grant
• Ruggles Farms, Inc., $14,743 grant
• L & M Farms, $10,279 grant
• James J. May, $20,000 grant
• Malleck Farm and Wind Ventures, LLC, $15,025 grant
• Renewable Biomass Energy of Nebraska, LLC, $5,437 grant
• Nebraska Public Power District, $100,000 grant
• Omaha Public Power District $100,000 grant
• Daniel Kohle, $6,709 grant; $13,418 loan
• Donald Fling, $9,796 grant; $19,592 loan
• Ruggles Land, LP, $17,822 grant; $35,600 loan
• Doug Witte, $7,601 grant; $15,200 loan
• McClung Farms, Inc., $28,976 grant; $55,000 loan
• Raymond Keogh, $6,008 grant; $12,016 loan
• David Kuszak, $12,579 grant; $25,157 loan
• Michael R. Danhauer, $49,818 grant; $99,636 loan
• Klute, Inc., $41,724 grant; $83,449 loan
• Paul Holt, $23,653 grant; $47,305 loan
• Bryan Nitchie, $12,500 grant; $25,000 loan
• Bullet, Inc., $6,446 grant; $12,893 loan
• Dennis Wrage, $20,154 grant; $40,307 loan
• Mark Scott, $32,622 grant; $32,622 loan
• SYS, Inc., $48,693 grant; $97,386 loan

New Hampshire

• Gale C. Howland Revocable Trust, $5,855 grant
• Lanciano Wind Energy, LLC, $50,000 grant

New Mexico

• Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc., $100,000 grant

Ohio

• America Municipal Power – Ohio, $100,000 grant

Oregon

• Stephen Sturdivant, $20,000 grant
• Redband Resources, LLC, $20,000 grant
• Richard Schaeff, $12,441 grant
• Glenn Cavender, $7,438 grant
• Willow Springs Guest Ranch, LLC, $3,875 grant
• Grizzly Peak Winery, LLC, $20,000 grant
• Kunert Electric, LLC, $20,000 grant
• A3 Energy Partners, Inc., $25,000 grant
• Biogreen Sustainable Energy Company, $18,000 grant
• Black Cap Solar, LLC, $20,000 grant
• Empirical Solar, LLC, $20,000 grant
• Sage Renewables, LLC, $20,000 grant
• Sprague River Renewables, LLC, $20,000 grant
• Tongue Point Investors, LLC $50,000 grant
• Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon Renewable Energy Center, $99,991 grant
• Oregon State University, Energy Efficiency Center, $100,000 grant

Pennsylvania

• John K. Davin, Forever Greene House, $7,268 grant

South Carolina

• Carr Farms, Inc., $6,750 grant
• Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., $100,000 grant

South Dakota

• William Becking, $17,600 grant
• Darrel Muser, $3,319 grant
• Harvest Wind, LLC, $50,000 grant
• East River Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., $100,000 grant
• Allen G. Siefkes, $30,480 grant; $30,480 loan
• Anita M. Hilliard, $32,940 grant; $29,500 loan

Tennessee

• Nashville Native, LLC, $17,077 grant

Texas

• Aongus McManus, $10,000 grant
• LoneStar Wind Power Company, $10,276 grant

Utah

• West Hills Wind Farm, $10,000 grant
• Wind-E Ranch, LLC, $42,500 grant

Virginia

• Unaka Forest Products, Inc., $435,271 grant; $435,271 loan

Vermont

• Wayne Fifield, $4,710 grant
• Rodney and Glenda Paradee, $3,316 grant
• David L. Steinhour and Norman Fecteau, $7,928 grant
• Joseph A. Jordan, $3,459 grant

Washington

• Pacifica Marine, Inc., $15,000 grant

Wisconsin

• William Erdenberger, $20,000 grant
• Habeck Homestead Farms, LLC, $6,025 grant
• Arndt Farms, Inc., $20,000 grant
• Dunn Energy Cooperative, $4,548 grant
• Utility Building Corp., $5,246 grant
• O'Brien Farms, Inc., $24,725 grant
• Durand Energy Alternatives, LLC, $11,245 grant
• Dairyland Power Cooperative, $100,000 grant

West Virginia

• West Virginia University Research Cooperation, $100,000 grant

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