A farm energy audit, or Agricultural Energy Management Plan (AgEMP), can identify opportunities to save between 10% and 35% of current energy use in farming operations. The AgEMP will also prioritize the most cost-effective ways to save energy on the farm.

 

Some common areas of energy inefficiency:

 

• Pumping Plant;

 

• Lighting;

 

• Irrigation Water Management;

 

• Heating/cooling;

 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can assist with getting an AgEMP on your farm operation. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. 

 

Through EQIP, agricultural producers receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on the land.  This means agricultural producers can receive this valuable service at a reduced cost, as well as unlock additional funding opportunities for implementing the energy efficiency recommendations and valuable technical assistance.

 

Applications for EQIP are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application deadline dates for evaluation and ranking of eligible applications.  The application deadlines for fiscal year 2019 are Jan. 18 and April 19, 2019.  Please contact the Elk River Field Office (763)241-1170 ext. 3, or stop in to 14855 Highway 10, to discuss this energy savings or other conservation options on your farm.

 

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