By Blake Jackson
Eastern Kentucky farmers may be eligible for funding to improve energy efficiency through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF).
The KADF On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Program offers financial support to farm families seeking to enhance the energy efficiency of their existing equipment or facilities.
Lazy Eight Stock Farm in Garrard County, for example, received over $23,000 to install a wood-fired boiler, with $10,000 from the On-Farm Energy Efficiency Program and the rest from the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
This investment is saving the farm an estimated $3,160 annually in energy costs. The Mountain Association assisted in coordinating the third-party energy audit and application process for this project.
In addition to Lazy Eight, the Mountain Association has helped other farms secure funding for solar energy projects. Southdown Farm, a maple syrup producer in Letcher County, also received $10,000 for solar energy improvements, along with $150 for the required energy audit.
Other farms benefiting from this program include Sustainable Harvest Farm in Laurel County, HomeGrown HideAways in Madison County, Salamander Springs in Rockcastle County, and Tree of the Field in Madison County.
Eligible projects for reimbursement cover a wide range of energy-efficient upgrades, such as energy-efficient building components (e.g., lighting, insulation, windows), renewable energy systems (e.g., solar-powered watering systems, biomass boilers), and equipment upgrades (e.g., energy-efficient grain drying systems, low-pressure irrigation).
Farms can receive up to 50% reimbursement for the cost of approved energy-saving items, with a maximum reimbursement of $10,000 per project.
Applicants must have a gross farm income of at least $25,000 or earn 20% of their income from farming over the last two years.
The program has deadlines in 2025: April 25, August 29, and December 19. Farms can submit one application per calendar year, even if they have received funding previously.
A third-party energy audit is required as part of the application process, and the Mountain Association offers free energy audits thanks to funding from the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy.
For more information or to schedule an audit, farmers can contact Liz Howard at liz@mtassociation.org or (859) 880-3904.
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: Kentucky, Energy, General