USDA Invests $2 Million in Clean Energy to Strengthen Farms and Businesses in Rural Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 1, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer today announced that USDA is investing $2 million in 27 renewable energy projects to lower energy costs, generate new income and create jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses.

“USDA is committed to helping farmers, ranchers, and small businesses to ensure that the backbone of this nation, the U.S. supply chain, continues to grow, develop, and prosper,” Landkamer said. “Investments through the REAP program expand access to renewable energy systems, create good-paying jobs and save these industry leaders money that they can then invest back into their businesses and communities.”

Today’s projects are being funded through the Rural Energy for America Program to help increase competition in agricultural markets, lowering costs and expanding clean energy.

Christensen Broadcasting LLC will install a 25-kilowatt wind turbine for their media broadcasting facility near Pipestone. This renewable energy source is expected to save the business more than $11,000 per year and replace nearly 111,000 kilowatt hours of electricity (80% of the business’ energy consumption) per year, which is enough to power 10 homes.

Mark Schull will install a 20-kilowatt solar array for his family farm near Mapleton. This renewable energy source is expected to save the farm $5,400 in annual electrical costs and replace 36,000 kilowatt hours of electricity (93% of the farm’s energy consumption) per year, which is enough to power three homes.

The Goose Bar & Grill LLC will install an energy efficient heating and cooling system and update a walk-in cooler at their restaurant in Watson. These energy efficient updates are expected to save the business more than $400 in annual electrical costs and replace nearly 27,000 kilowatt hours of electricity (3% of the business’ energy consumption) per year, which is enough to power two homes.

Jared Frykman will install an energy efficient grain dryer on his farm near Elbow Lake. This energy efficient update is expected to save the farm more than $18,300 in annual electrical costs and replace 252,000 kilowatt hours of electricity (45% of the farm’s energy consumption) per year, which is enough to power 23 homes.
Rural Clean Energy Production

Through the REAP program, USDA provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs.

These investments will cut energy costs for farmers and ag producers that can instead be used to create jobs and new revenue streams for people in their communities. For a complete listing of today’s investments in Minnesota, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/mn-reap-3282024.xlsx.

Since the beginning of 2020, USDA has invested more than $1.8 billion through REAP in over 6,000 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners’ lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations. This nationwide investment includes more than $73 million in over 600 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements right here in Minnesota.

USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through September 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.

Contact USDA Rural Development

Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mn. Stay current by following @RD_Minnesota on X (formerly Twitter).

USDA Rural Development has 10 offices across the state to serve the 1.8 million residents living in rural Minnesota. Office locations include a state office in St. Paul, and field offices in Alexandria, Baxter, Bemidji, Cambridge, Detroit Lakes, Marshall, Thief River Falls, Virginia, Willmar, and Worthington.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates in Minnesota, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

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