A new report from the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) unearths the stories of farmers and rural small businesses that are making clean energy their newest cash crop. From a Pennsylvania syrup maker that cut its energy costs in half, to an Illinois dairy that generates electricity from manure, to a Montana brewery that runs on solar power, clean energy is improving the bottom line for rural America. Farm Energy Success Stories highlights clean energy projects that were made possible with grants and loan guarantees from the Farm Bill’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

“With the help of farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses, America can make great strides toward solving its energy problems.” said Andy Olsen, Policy Advocate for ELPC. “REAP is creating economic development, energy independence and a cleaner environment one farm at a time.”

Since 2003, REAP has made over 3,000 clean energy projects possible, jumpstarting wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, energy efficiency and other technologies in all 50 states. Jim McBratney, who used a REAP grant to install a wind turbine at his Massachusetts nursery, says REAP is “…the right thing to do. It spurs industry and allows new, better technology to reach the market.”

The success of REAP has led Congress to increase the program’s funding in recent years, but USDA still receives applications for more than 3 times the amount of funding available. The success stories in the report illustrate how REAP leverages billions in private investment, reduces pollution, builds interest and awareness about the benefits of clean energy. For example, after Glen White slashed his energy costs by installing a solar water heating system on his Indiana farm, he began selling and installing solar energy systems on other farms and homes in the area.

In keeping with its mission to promote solutions that combine economic development and environmental progress, The Environmental Law & Policy Center has worked to promote REAP since 2003. As Representative Colin Peterson (D-MN) said, “This is the kind of common sense program that will help transform rural America into an energy resource for the entire nation.”

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