TEMPLE — The 2008 Farm Bill authorized the Section 9007 Rural Energy for America Program to make loan guarantees and grants to agriculture producers and rural small businesses.
Renewable energy systems using wind, solar, renewable biomass, geothermal, ocean, small hydropower or hydrogen sources may be purchased.
Energy efficiency improvements may include retrofitting lighting or insulation, irrigation systems, grain dryers, or purchasing or replacing equipment with more efficient units in existing or new replacement facilities.
Grants to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy are also available. Some key provisions of the program are:
zx Applicants may qualify for a competitive grant, a guaranteed loan, or a combination of both.
zx Grant request must not exceed 25 percent of the eligible project costs. Renewable energy grants can range from $2,500 to $500,000. Energy efficiency grants can range from $1,500 to $250,000.
zx Loan guarantees can be for up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs. Maximum guaranteed loans are $25 million per project.
Projects can qualify for combined grant and loan guarantee, but the grant portion is still subject to the above limits and combined funding assistance cannot exceed 75 percent of total eligible project costs.
zx Projects under $200,000 total project costs qualify for a simplified application process.
zx No renewable energy system or energy efficiency improvement, or portion thereof, can be used for any residential purpose.
Complete applications must be received by the Texas USDA Rural Development Office, 101 South Main, Suite 102, Temple, TX 76501 no later than 4:30 p.m. July 31.
Neither complete nor incomplete applications received after this date and time will be considered, regardless of the postmark on the application.
For information call 254-742-9780 or visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/tx/section_9007.htm.
Farm and Ranch
Renewable energy grants available
- Farm and Ranch
-
-
Consider bare root perennials in your garden
If you need lots of perennials for an area, an inexpensive alternative could be the bare root stock should be appearing in the big box merchants soon. Bare root stock is also available thru catalog orders.
-
Pruning roses before possible March freezes
Roses are usually pruned in our area around Valentine’s Day, several weeks before they begin their spring burst of growth. We are probably ready to get outside after the winter weather. And as you will read roses are tough and should be just fine even if we have more freezing during the month of March.
-
Stop weeds in your garden before they start
Gardening in Texas is always an adventure. The weather can be wreak havoc on our efforts to have a lovely lawn and garden. The heat and drought of last summer stressed or even killed many North Texas lawns, making them especially vulnerable to a prolific invasion of weeds this spring.
-
Should we get started in the vegetable garden?
The wonderful rain and the multiple days of milder temperatures are probably turning your thoughts to “Should I try a vegetable garden this year?”
-
Tech livestock judging team crowned national champs
Loni Woolley, a senior from Grandview, was a member of the Texas Tech University Livestock Judging Team that was crowned national champions recently at the 2011 North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. The team won the contest by a 31-point margin, posting a total team score of 4,677 points.
-
Prepping for the show
-
Cleburne FFA Jr. Skills team among top 10 at state
The Cleburne FFA Junior Skills team placed among the top 10 at Saturday’s State Leadership Convention.
-
JCLAA sweepstakes winners announced
Ten 4-H and FFA members were announced the winners of this year’s Johnson County Livestock and Agriculture Association sweepstakes certificates.
-
Joyce Block: Recommendations for mowing and grass clippings
With more than 10 days of 100 degree heat in a row, a small break and now more 100-degree days scheduled, our lawns are not growing as fast as they normally do as they do when it is cooler.
-
FSA county committee nominations open
Johnson-Tarrant County USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director CED Kirk Goodman recently announced that county committee election nominations are now open.
- More Farm and Ranch Headlines
-
Consider bare root perennials in your garden


