Applications are due no later than February 15, 2024! Apply here
Agricultural production consumes significant amounts of energy. After cotton and rice production, specialty crop production had the next highest average electricity expense ($11,814) among crop producers, due to the use of irrigated water and greenhouse heating. NH ranks sixth in the nation for average electricity costs (US Energy Information Administration).
Through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD), is excited to offer stipends of $2,000 to farms to increase their energy efficiency and renewable energy options, with the goal to lower operating costs, increase viability, and competitiveness.
Eligible applicants must be specialty crop producers in Cheshire County.
Specialty crops are defined in law as, “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture". Read the full definition here.
Eligible projects include but are not limited to: making energy efficiency improvements to farm infrastructure (e.g. coolers, lights, irrigation, electric tractors, etc), due diligence and paperwork needed in purchasing solar shares in net metering opportunities (e.g. Community Supported Solar for Farms in the Monadnock Region), and investing in appropriately scaled on-farm renewable energy projects (e.g. solar).
Stipends can be used to fund project costs, consulting with advisors, communicating with vendors and contractors, and farmer time.
Stipends can NOT be used for construction-related costs and general purpose equipment (equipment not directly related to the energy efficiency/renewable energy goals).
