Reducing farm energy costs through energy efficiency

M. Charles Gould<gouldm@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - February 25, 2022

Power company rebates, federal grant dollars, and low interest loans can help pay for recommended energy conservation practices.

for decorative purposes only — LED lights in a Michigan dairy barn. | Photo by: Aluel Go, Michigan State University Extension

Farms are energy intensive with lights, fans, pumps, and motors consuming a significant quantity of electricity. Reducing the amount of electricity used around the farm helps keep them profitable. Dairy farms who have implemented recommended energy conservation practices have seen, on average, a 46% reduction in their energy costs.

A presentation offered during the Michigan Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference will help farmers learn how they can reduce their energy expenses and take advantage of power company rebates and federal grant dollars to implement recommended energy conservation practices. Concepts that will be covered during the presentation include energy efficiency vs. energy conservation, understanding an energy audit, agricultural energy conservation programs, utility perspective on energy conservation and funding opportunities, farmer perspective on energy conservation, and USDA Rural Development perspective on energy conservation and funding opportunities.

The presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 17 at 12 p.m. and last approximately 40 minutes, with time for questions and answers with the speaker until 1 p.m.

The Michigan Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference is the main event offered by Michigan State University Extension during MSU’s Agriculture and Natural Resources month, which occurs each year during the month of March. This month-long program will encompass many aspects of the agricultural industry and offer a full array of educational sessions for farmers and homeowners interested in food production and other agricultural endeavors. This year, over 60 sessions will be delivered via Zoom and available for attendees from any part of the world.

While there is no cost to participate, attendees must register to receive the necessary Zoom links. Registrants can attend as many sessions as they would like and are also able to jump around between tracks. RUP and CCA credits will be offered for several of the sessions. More information can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/miagideas/

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).