Release No. 0374.09
Contact:
Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $15 MILLION IN RENEWABLE ENERGY LOANS AND GRANTS
Projects in 15 States and The Western Pacific Islands Will Help Farmers and Rural Businesses Become More Efficient
WASHINGTON, August 10, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 365 recipients have been selected to receive more than $15 million in loans and grants to install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Dallas Tonsager, Under Secretary for Rural Development, made the public announcement on behalf of Vilsack during a speech today at the Midwest Rural Assembly in Sioux Falls, S.D.
"It is imperative that we secure more self-sufficient energy resources for our country, and these grants will help enable the long-term sustainability that the Obama Administration is committed to developing," Vilsack said. "This funding will also help farmers and rural businesses become more efficient and competitive."
The Midwest Rural Assembly focuses on rural economic and community development issues and opportunities, and gives rural residents a chance to speak directly with policymakers about rural policy priorities. Tonsager said the loans and grants announced today are authorized under the Rural Energy for America Program, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill and is administered by USDA Rural Development. The funds are not part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
One of the recipients, Eugene Bartz, of Sisseton, S.D., has been selected to receive a $62,400 grant and $60,470 loan to replace an outdated grain dryer with a more energy efficient model. He will retire several large-volume, low-temperature drying bins and convert them into storage bins. The new system will use 64.9 percent less energy per bushel in the drying process. The increased drying capacity will allow Bartz to balance harvesting and drying rates while avoiding condensation inside the bins.
Damien Branon of Fairfield, Vt., was selected to receive a $12,300 grant to replace an evaporator on his maple syrup cooker. He plans to purchase and install a new system that will increase syrup production efficiency and reduce annual fuel consumption by 56 percent.
USDA energy efficiency programs often yield double-digit energy savings. The Glen Coble & Sons, Inc. ranch in Mullen, Neb., reduced its electricity draw from the local utility by 30 percent after it received a $14,725 USDA Rural Development grant in 2008 to install five wind turbines. The project has been so successful that Glen Coble & Sons is considering constructing additional turbines for the ranch headquarters.
Additional information on the Rural Energy for America Program may be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/bprogs.htm.
Below is a complete list of the selected recipients. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the agreement.
List of Recipients:
Georgia
Destiny Alpacas; $4,808 grant
John C. Sidwell; $16,170 grant
Edwin Kesler; $8,750 grant
Big Mama's Family Farm; $4,487 grant
Lee Gardner, III; $11,406 grant
Thai Nguyen; $11,444 grant
Idaho
Birch Creek Ranches, LLC; $15,560 grant
Dean Snarr & Sons, LLC; $13,870 grant
Sawtooth Hotel; $13,549 grant
Walker Land & Cattle, LLC; $18,060 grant
Parma True Value, Inc.; $4,295 grant
Illinois
Jeff VandeVoorde; $18,987 grant
Mapes Grain Farms, Inc.; $19,803 grant
Badtke Farms, Inc.; $19,750 grant
Brent Dykema; $12,321 grant
Bruce Zaagman; $15,151 grant
Dennis Asay; $18,037 grant
Deric Shafer; $11,996 grant
Layne Bidlingmaier; $17,324 grant
Mellert Farms, Inc.; $18,499 grant
Richard Runte; $18,678 grant
Roger Smital; $19,984 grant
William Stubbe; $12,162 grant
William Peterson; $44,815 grant; $44,815 loan
Steven Sanders; $49,098 grant; $49,098 loan
Russell Ramsey; $42,187 grant; $42,187 loan
Robert Wieland; $72,304 grant; $72,000 loan
Watershed Foods, LLC; $189,498 grant; $378,997 loan
Gary Dau; $49,855 grant; $49,855 loan
Indiana
William Smart; $12,398 grant
Billy F. Dieckmann; $11,582 grant
Mark Tenbarge; $6,423 grant
Filbrun Farms, Inc.; $12,490 grant
Jeff Myers Farms; $16,201 grant
Middlesworth Farms, Inc.; $20,000 grant
Iowa
Eric Johnson; $11,650 grant
Bruce Nilges; $5,895 grant
Donald Beatty; $3,247grant
Jerry Rochford; $12,464 grant
Dean Darling; $12,460 grant
Douglas Stadler; $12,033 grant
Kix, Inc.; $11,672 grant
Joseph Bullerman; $17,306 grant
Maurice M. Johnson; $12,614 grant
James Rygh, Jr.; $20,000 grant
Myron Krauskopf; $10,581 grant
Leland Hovey; $14,986 grant
Clifton A. Johnson;12,500 grant
Arlin Franzen; 19,561 grant
Kurt Dallman; $12,172 grant
Monte Rogers; $7,411 grant
Kevin K. Kew; $18,754 grant
Andy Faaborg; $7,981 grant
G. Ronald Franks; $15,118 grant
Joe Faga; $8,484 grant
Davenport Farms, Inc.; $12,225 grant
Thomas J. Hoffman; $19,881 grant
Thomas E. Schmidt; $6,400 grant
Larry Toenges; $20,000 grant
Robert Hemesath; $19,751 grant
Gary Dempster; $12,500 grant
Michael Sersland; $16,970 grant
Thomas Shatek; $18,235 grant
Duane Streif; $19,970 grant
Bruns Brothers; $18,138 grant
Douglas K. Arneson; $12,395 grant
John Francois; $14,645 grant
Walter Ruth; $16,441 grant
Heying Firm, Inc.; $16,283 grant
Donald Hatch; $17,256 grant
Harry Moeller; $8,690 grant
Jim Fuelling; $16,506 grant
John Opfer; $5,490 grant
Schulz Farm Enterprises, Inc.; $20,000 grant
Jennings Landscaping & Farms; $17,950 grant
Fox River Mills, Inc.; $17,837 grant
Swigert Farms, Inc.; $20,000 grant
Kent Schultz; $18,491 grant
Jason Zamastil; $19,511 grant
Ro-Den-Cris, Inc.; $18,435 grant
Rex Lawler; $19,965 grant
Reuben Hageman; $19,965 grant
Randy Welton; $16,734 grant
Douglas Petersburg; $16,060 grant
Kerri Langreck; $16,248 grant
Brock Hansen; $18,186 grant
Alan Baumann; $7,949 grant
Fleshner Farms, Inc.; $20,000 grant
Lowell Unruh; $8,965 grant
Mark Palmer; $3,106 grant
Adam Walton; $11,682 grant
Alphs Farms, Inc.; $19,540 grant
Austin Moore; $18,764 grant
Brent Carlson; $19,303 grant
Chad Heim; $19,612 grant
Charles Murphy; $12,500 grant
Clair Hengesteg; $19,847 grant
D & D Kramersmeier; $10,700 grant
Dan Claussen; $7,750 grant
Darin Axline; $19,941 grant
Darrell Thordsen; $17,172 grant
David Patterson; $18,000 grant
David Sachs; $16,945 grant
Dennis Anderson; $19,883 grant
Donald Schmitt; $19,816 grant
Douglas Loeffler; $18,496 grant
Edward Stoen; $3,388 grant
Eric Wemark; $8,645 grant
Galen Tietz; $12,440 grant
Gary Toenjes; $11,978 grant
Glenn Griffin; $12,500 grant
Hayen Farms, Inc.; $19,795 grant
Jody Kasal; $16,705 grant
K & K, Inc.; $16,992 grant
Kelly Christensen; $19,016 grant
Kenneth Ries; $16,920 grant
Kenneth Timp; $11,441 grant
Luther Schutte; $7,690 grant
Matt Herrold; $19,053 grant
Merle Reicks; $18,128 grant
Meythaler Farms, Inc.; $11,687 grant
Nicholas Upmeyer; $8,283 grant
Randy Patterson; $17,002 grant
Richard Recker ; $18,081 grant
Richard Trumbauer; $12,375 grant
Rolin Holst Farm, Inc.; $16,977 grant
Rollin Fink; $10,450 grant
Ronald Chambers; $19,950 grant
Russell Reth; $19,922 grant
S&N Family Farms, Inc.; $17,625 grant
Scott Simons; $11,356 grant
Thunderbird Farms, Inc.; $8,300 grant
Tim Donlon; $12,250 grant
Tom Kriener; $10,080 grant
West Side Acres, Ltd.; $11,964 grant
William Dolan; $19,792 grant
William Palmersheim; $18,938 grant
Steward Farm; $44,018 grant; $44,018 loan
Joel Seglem; $26,065 grant; $26,065 loan
Midwest Land & Cattle, Inc.; $49,093 grant; $49,093 loan
Ronald J. Pedersen; $25,602 grant; $25,602 loan
Russell W. Kress; $32,750 grant; $32,750 loan
Gene G. Grant; $27,250 grant; $54,500 loan
Mark Birchmier; $34,171 grant; $34,171 loan
Mikel Carstensen; $26,151grant; $28,452 loan
Gary Reimer; $46,161 grant; $73,484 loan
John J. Hinners; $42,730 grant; $42,730 loan
Verle D. Batz ; $24,895 grant; $24,895 loan
Scott Langley; $34,629 grant; $34,629 loan
Frank Jones; $39,123 grant; $58,685 loan
Steve K. Martens; $21,802 grant; $15,408 loan
Kenneth D. Lund; $44,305 grant; $44,305 loan
Marvin Young; $28,011 grant; $56,022 loan
Gary Kunde; $47,923 grant; $47,923 loan
William Lofstrom; $26,334 grant; $26,334 loan
Shardo Farms, Ltd.; $37,024 grant; $37,024 loan
Raymond Slach; $42,822 grant; $42,822 loan
Marlyn Murra; $34,531 grant; $69,063 loan
Jon Kaiser; $42,980 grant; $42,980 loan
David Vogeler; $49,494 grant; $49,494 loan
Kenneth Bru; $46,166 grant; $46,167 loan
Christopher Soules; $49,816 grant; $99,632 loan
Meier Farm Corporation; $29,529 grant; $29,529 loan
Robert J. Short; $43,976 grant; $43,976 loan
Niehaus, Inc.; $40,083 grant; $40,083 loan
Philip M. Thoma; $25,799 grant; $25,799 loan
John K. Frey; $45,757 grant; $45,757 loan
Sinclair Elevator, Inc.; $155,863 grant; $155,864 loan
Michael Ries; $28,333 grant; $28,333 loan
Scott Wirth; $38,125 grant; $38,125 loan
Steven Schade; $49,695 grant; $99,390 loan
Carstens & Sons Farm; $48,856 grant; $48,856 loan
Kenneth Fangman; $27,783 grant; $27,783 loan
Grove Grain, LLC; $21,418 grant; $42,836 loan
Jason Ludwig; $29,744 grant; $29,745 loan
Kevin Moellers; $49,802 grant; $99,603 loan
Steve Eastman; $44,452 grant; $88,904 loan
Mike Wibholm; $46,578 grant; $93,156 loan
Leon Zeien; $33,321 grant; $33,321 loan
James Eckenrod; $49,953 grant; $99,907 loan
Knudtson Enterprises, Inc.; $27,277 grant; $27,277 loan
Wiemers Farms, Inc.; $22,578 grant; $22,578 loan
Bruce Copper; $32,153 grant; $32,153 loan
Northern Country Cooperative Company; $127,215 grant; $127,215 loan
James Martin; $33,687 grant; $33,688 loan
Jerry Marolf and Sons, Inc.; $35,349 grant; $35,349 loan
Keith & Gail, Inc.; $33,791 grant; $51,375 loan
DNA Farm Corporation; $38,538 grant; $38,538 loan
James Ries ; $40,177 grant; $40,177 loan
Prairie Ag Cooperative; $160,252 grant; $160,252 loan
Twinam Farms, Ltd.; $31,822 grant; $31,822 loan
Kansas
Marilyn Mavity; $2,642 grant
McCoy V., Inc.; $6,929 grant
Altamont Grocery, LLC; $3,589 grant
Freedom Farms, Inc.; $59,141 grant; $118,282 loan
Massachusetts
Daniel S. Rosenberg; $14,559 grant
Elysium, LLC; $202,790 grant; $405,500 loan
Pine Island Farm; $321,493 grant; $500,000 loan
Minnesota
Jay Eisenmenger; $11,070 grant
Steven D. Bidne; $12,467 grant
Dean Evers; $11,333 grant
James Bendix; $19,023 grant
David Jeseritz; $18,750 grant
Bruce and Rodney Wussow; $19,837 grant
Bob Vercruysse; $9,341 grant
Glenn Kramer; $16,920 grant
Michael Brunner; $16,250 grant
Schwarz Farms; $19,669 grant
Tom Listul; $14,125 grant
BCK Farms; $18,175 grant
Chris Petersen; $19,998 grant
Philip Kramer; $15,745 grant
Knewtson Soy Products; $19,023 grant
John Eilertson; $12,405 grant
Orrin Wilson; $8,619 grant
Todd Risa; $14,300 grant
Lyle Jaenisch; $19,373 grant
Edward Nytes; $16,605 grant
Huntersville Canoe Outfitters; $19,622 grant
Brubaker Farms; $8,436 grant
Darwin Olson; $12,500 grant
Dennis King; $19,974 grant
Elisabeth Dunn; $12,430 grant
Gary Norby; $19,877 grant
Gene Hoeft; $10,121 grant
Greg Romsdahl; $16,401 grant
Ken's Auto & Lockshop, Inc.; $19,399 grant
Leon Schilz; $15,075 grant
Mike Lewandowski; $14,530 grant
New Solutions Consulting, Inc.; $19,050 grant
Patrick Maher; $2,645 grant
Pestorious, Inc.; $11,169 grant
Prairie Sun Bank; $14,219 grant
Robert Dose; $17,387 grant
Root River Hardwoods, Inc.; $6,709 grant
Stephen Romsdahl; $17,827 grant
Steve Bemis; $8,745 grant
Steven Williams; $11,341 grant
Terry Thorson; $12,016 grant
Wallace Bustad Excavation Service, Inc.; $18,245 grant
William Lipetzky, Inc.; $14,500 grant
Worlein Funeral Home, Inc.; $10,167 grant
Bunne Farms; $49,910 grant; $99,820 loan
Carlson Dairy, LLP; $47,909 grant; $47,909 loan
Thomas Behrends; $75,000 grant; $150,000 loan
James Knutson; $47,899 grant; $47,899 loan
Jerome McCabe; $50,000 grant; $50,000 loan
Becker Farms of Park Rapids, Inc.; $122,805 grant; $122,805 loan
Donald Sperr; $40,000 grant; $40,000 loan
James Ludowese; $30,773 grant; $30,773 loan
Douglas Thompson; $38,481 grant; $38,461 loan
Trent Frederickson; $24,385 grant; $24,385 loan
Rainbo Ridge Heifer Camp; $28,931 grant; $57,861 loan
Steven Prahl; $24,043 grant; $24,043 loan
Jay Solum; $37,883 grant; $75,765 loan
Troy Buendorf; $30,225 grant; $30,225 loan
Blane Amundson; $49,500 grant; $49,500 loan
Paul Heers, Jr.; $35,925 grant; $35,925 loan
J-Ace Farms, Inc.; $76,385 grant; $76,385 loan
Mississippi
Spencer Pope Farms, Inc.; $20,000 grant
Tinh M. Le; $17,806 grant
Beverly L. Tucker; $17,715 grant
Craig Thames; $19,991 grant
Malcolm B. Bracey; $16,436 grant
North Carolina
Charles E. Tucker; $14,010 grant
Dennis Lee Trotman; $16,094 grant
Goodwin Farming, Inc.; $20,000 grant
Indian Neck Farms, Inc.; $15,033 grant
J.P. Davenport & Son, Inc.; $12,181 grant
Joseph H. Ward; $16,520 grant
Don W. Brown; $7,500 grant
W. Bunch Farms, LLC; $2,466 grant
W & S Farms; $11,902 grant
James W. Mason; $4,602 grant
Gordon R. Cavenaugh; $2,125 grant
Congleton Farms, Inc.; $16,850 grant
Whitford Farms, LLC; $15,925 grant
Nebraska
Arthur Kramer; $5,424 grant
James Widger; $9,040 grant
Delores Rademaker; $4,603 grant
Don Veseth; $1,525 grant
Robert Kramer; $2,624 grant
Marvion Reichert Jr.; $6,174 grant
Ron McCormick; $8,600 grant
Triangle C Farms & Ranches, Inc.; $13,352 grant
Carl Farms, Inc.; $15,322 grant
Norman J. Funk; $5,475 grant
Loran Wach; $10,184 grant
Jerrod B. Toepfer; $5,412 grant
Daniel and Ronda Babl; $14,568 grant
Annette Frerichs Insurance Agency, Inc.; $3,525 grant
Donovan Ensz; $12,000 grant
D.N. Taylor, Jr. DDS. PC; $20,000 grant
Brad Foote; $16,200 grant
CK Farms, Inc.; $5,263 grant
Clifford Fuchtman; $2,697 grant
Conrad Grothen; $3,773 grant
Dave Weidner; $4,065 grant
Dean & Phylis Shurbert; $12,334 grant
Gerald Stengel; $19,725 grant
Kenneth Brosius; $1,686 grant
Kenneth Stone; $6,313 grant
Kenyon Seim; $9,044 grant
Leo Sylvan; $5,847 grant
Leonard J. Olmer; $9,603 grant
Loren Sylvan; $8,203 grant
Mag Hills, LLC; $6,378 grant
Norman Schultz; $11,268 grant
Orrin Strand; $2,111 grant
Randy Warnken; $7,533 grant
Robert Houseman; $9,370 grant
Robert Wood; $3,683 grant
Rodney Skelba; $17,269 grant
Rubenthaler Farms, LLC; $8,351 grant
S&N Farms, Inc.; $6,877 grant
Scott P. Adams; $3,311 grant
Weitzenkamp Farms, Inc.; $3,222 grant
William Bunger; $5,225 grant
Steven T. Brockhaus; $47,189 grant; $47,189 loan
Harvey Bray, Inc.; $27,020 grant; $27,020 loan
Hill Crest Farms, Inc.; $49,996 grant; $49,996 loan
Jenkins Farms, Inc.; $122,805 grant; $122,805 loan
Daniel T. Scheer; $44,708 grant; $44,708 loan
Webster Brothers, LLC; $37,000 grant; $37,000 loan
Warren Peterson; $11,646 grant; $11,646 loan
Gerald Grass; $23,912 grant; $47,823 loan
Jason Humphrey; $21,256 grant; $42,500 loan
Bruce Tegtmeier; $30,885 grant; $61,770 loan
Pritchard Farms, Inc.; $31,412 grant; $31,412 loan
Riceland Farms, Inc.; $13,644 grant; $13,644 loan
Claude Cappel, Inc.; $30,600 grant; $61,200 loan
Charles R. Ardissono; $27,893 grant; $55,800 loan
H-4 Farms, Inc.; $23,942 grant; $47,459 loan
Dean Smith; $19,368 grant; $19,368 loan
Steven Cappel, Inc.; $25,940 grant; $51,880 loan
Gerald A. Miller; $17,512 grant; $35,024 loan
Suhr Enterprises, Inc.; $43,206 grant; $86,413 loan
C Carlson Farms, Inc.; $33,584 grant; $67,168 loan
M E Weers Farms, Inc.; $24,789 grant; $49,578 loan
WM J. Finch Farms; $47,830 grant; $95,600 loan
Samuel Robinson; $19,500 grant; $39,000 loan
Oregon
Boston Beef House, Inc.; $3,027 grant
Willow Witt Ranch; $20,000 grant
Buchanan Family Century Farm; $20,000 grant
Go Outside Enterprises, LLC; $17,323 grant
Hall Living Trust; $13,712 grant
Howard J. Shipley; $11,748 grant
Mellonia, LLC; $9,994 grant
Pro Electric, Inc.; $19,500 grant
Restoration Farm, LLC; $13,159 grant
Robert Inget; $4,463 grant
Virgil Allen Wilkes; $14,014 grant
South Dakota
Eugene Bartz; $62,400 grant; $60,470 loan
Vermont
Scott Boyce; $2,473 grant
Damian Branon; $12,300 grant
Ridgeview Farm, Inc.; $16,250 grant
Wisconsin
Lightning Ridge Solar, LLC; $16,932 grant
Brew Farms Enterprises, LLC; $19,401 grant
Charles W. Hammer & Nancy Kavazanjian; $20,000 grant
Dean Proper; $15,125 grant
Ken Bauer; $15,000 grant
Kettle View Renewable Energy, LLC; $17,380 grant
Mesmer Solar, LLC; $20,000 grant
Retgen Solar, LLC; $20,000 grant
Western Pacific
Hagen, Inc.; $20,000 grant
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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