The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced an initiative to help California agricultural producers transition to more energy efficient operations.
The initiative will make funding available for individual on-farm energy audits designed to save money and energy when fully implemented.
“Helping California’s farmers and ranchers reduce energy use helps everyone’s bottom line,” said Ed Burton, NRCS state conservationist for California. “More efficient energy use will help our agricultural producers, and Californians, become more energy independent.”
California is one of 29 states receiving funding for on-farm energy audits in fiscal year 2010 through the 2008 farm bill’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Up to $225,000 is available in California to assist up to 150 farmers and ranchers with audits.
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