The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $207 million in 42 states for projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP). These projects will lower energy costs for farmers and ag producers who can use that money to create jobs and new revenue streams for people in their communities. 

Locally funded projects include:

  • Brookfield Enterprises LLC received $51,538 from REAP to help it install a 77 kilowatt (kW) ground solar system on its soybean production farm operation near Maquoketa. The project is expected to save $12,691 annually and replace 76,800 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, or 100% of previous business use. This is enough electricity to power 10 homes.
  • Kay Farms Elevator Inc. received $167,440 from REAP to help it install a 176 kilowatt (kW) solar array in Wheatland. The project is expected to save $21,901 annually and replace 137,200 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, or 100% of previous business use. This is enough electricity to power 18 homes.
  • Randy Schoening received $71,514 from REAP to install an energy-efficient grain dryer at his grain production farm facility near DeWitt. The project is expected to save $4,239.84 annually and 59,518 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, or 66% of previous use. This is enough electricity to power five homes.
  • Willimack Farms Inc. received $36,377 from REAP to help it install a 44 kilowatt (kW) solar array at its grain production farm operation near Oxford Junction. The project is expected to save $6,975.09 annually and replace 47,520 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, or 100% of previous use. This is enough electricity to power six homes.
  • Crosstown Enterprises LLC received $32,200 from REAP to help it install a 32 kilowatt (kW) solar array at its warehouse and storage operation in Maquoketa. The project is expected to save $6,443 per year annually and replace 36,748 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, or 100% of previous business use. This is enough electricity to power four homes.
  • Greg T. Paustian received $40,000 from REAP to install a 32 kilowatt (kW) solar array at his grain production operation near Dixon. The project is expected to save $6,004 annually and replace 36,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, or 100% of previous business use. This is enough electricity to power four homes.
  • Midland Golf Club LLC in Kewanee received $147,500 from REAP to purchase and install a 45, 72 and 25 kilowatt (kW) solar array for the golf course. The project will save more than $33,900 annually and replace 197,758 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, enough energy to power 18 homes.
  • Harold’s Furniture Inc. in Rock Falls received $47,480 from REAP to purchase and install a 45 kilowatt (kW) solar array to help power the business, a furniture store. The project saves more than $8,500 annually and will replace 60,220 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, enough energy to power five homes.

To see all the projects funded by the grants, click here. For more information on the Rural Energy for America Program, click here. For more information on the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program, click here.