A total of $43,674 in grants will be going to Bloomfield agricultural programs, it was announded Friday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The grants for more than 900 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country are intended to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. Thirty-one of the grants will go to Missouri entities. Vilsack made the announcement as part of President Obama's rural economic bus tour in the Midwest where he highlighted efforts underway to reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil, which will increase the economic competitiveness of rural America and promote job creation.
"These investments enable our farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners to develop renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements that will save them thousands of dollars in energy costs each year," Vilsack said. "This funding is an important part of the Obama Administration's plan to conserve natural resources, create jobs and lead our country on the path to becoming more energy independent."
The grants are being provided through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a 2008 Farm Bill initiative. REAP offers funds for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. These federal funds leverage other funding sources for small businesses. In all, USDA announced more than $11.6 million in energy grants. Missouri's portion of that funding is $402,749.
Included in the grants from Bloomfield are energy efficiency grants in the amount of $9,487 for for Circle Seven Farms, LLC, $10,125 for Brandon Gale Stewart, another $10.125 for Colin Dean Stewart, and $10,125 for Faron Blaine Stewart. A flexible fuel pump grant was awarded to Blue Heron Conservation Design and Printing in the amount of $3,812.