(Bird Island MN-) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Colleen Landkamer announced today that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

Today’s announcement includes these investments in Minnesota:

David J. Scheibel in Bird Island will use a $122,500 grant to install a 25-kilowatt wind turbine. This project is expected to save the farming operation $11,870 in annual electrical costs and will replace 98,750 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power nine homes.

Brad and Larry Baumgardt Buffalo Lake will each use a $245,000 grant to install a total of four 25 kilowatt wind turbines. This project is expected to save the farming operations $41,000 in annual electrical costs.

Dierks Bros Inc. in Chokio will use a $62,075 grant to install an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save the farming operation $8,870 in annual electrical costs and will replace 204,253 kilowatt hours (41 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power 19 homes.

“As drivers of our economy, farmers and rural business owners deserve affordable energy,” Landkamer said. “That’s why I’m proud to announce over $1 million in REAP grants that will lower energy costs for farmers and small business and help them expand their operations, all while tackling climate change. These investments showcase the variety of people and businesses in rural Minnesota using programs like REAP to cut energy costs.”