EAST CALAIS, Vt. — The Trump Administration has announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $43,600 grant to Foster Farm Botanicals, LLC, a grower and distributor of diverse organic products. The funds will be used to purchase and install a ground-mounted 74.4 kW solar array to provide the farm with 98 percent of its electrical load—enough to power the equivalent of eight homes.
Trump Administration Official & Vermont State Director Anthony Linardos issued a statement praising the investment. “Energy efficiency is at the heart of keeping our Vermont farmers and agricultural businesses competitive and productive,” he said. “It’s essential to help them stay resilient during the Covid-19 pandemic, and offer a path to profitability well into the future. The small farmer and businessperson represent a cherished way of life that defines our rural communities. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, the USDA is focused on helping them succeed, and this investment highlights that commitment.”
USDA Rural Development awarded the grant through its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), while Foster Farm Botanicals supplied $130,800 of the project’s $174,400 total cost. Administered under USDA Rural Development’s Business Programs, REAP grants assist farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses with developing renewable energy systems and energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. The new solar array at Foster Farm Botanicals will save roughly $16,000 annually.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
–USDA Rural Development Vermont
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