Farmers Project Planning Resources
This page starts out by showing you the most recent content from across the CERTs website. Jump to detailed resources.
Farming is a major industry in Minnesota, and one that has many opportunities for saving energy and producing renewable energy.
Farmers Blog Posts
Kristi Loobeek
Thu, 06/06/2013 - 11:27am
Are you interested in doing your own solar project? Let the Clean Energy Project Builder and CERTs help you get started with 4 steps!
Step 1: Do your research! Knowing information about solar (what it is, how it works, how to get it) is a...
Joel Haskard
Wed, 05/29/2013 - 12:37pm
On some level, everyone is connected to agriculture. That simple fact is at the heart of KSMQ’s local series, Farm Connections, now in its fifth season. Joel Haskard and Fritz Ebinger with the Clean Energy Resource Teams joined Farm...
MN Dept. of Commerce
Wed, 05/08/2013 - 10:37am
The following is a sample of new energy-related funding opportunities being promoted by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.
RFP for Conservation Applied Research and Development Grant Program – Seeks...
Farmers Case Studies
Since 2000, the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) has been serving low income communities in Central Minnesota by developing, manufacturing, and installing solar hot water and air heaters to help families reduce their heating fuel dependence and lower their energy bills.
As residents of the Midwest know, the growing season is painfully short. When it’s twenty below, what else can you do besides go to the supermarket and buy tomatoes shipped from thousands of miles away? Whitewater Farms in Altura, Minnesota has found a solution. The farm, owned and operated by Sandy and Lonny Dietz, contains a geothermal greenhouse...
Norm and Mary Erickson of Hazelnut Valley Farm retired and started a hazelnut farm in Lake City, MN. Their nutty adventures into the business of growing, harvesting, and processing the crop led them to install a solar-heated greenhouse with many innovative features. They look forward to a future where hazelnuts can be profitably converted into...
Upcoming Farmers Events
Farmers Event Highlights
Farmers on CERTs TV
Funding & Financing Opportunities
There are various opportunities for funding and financing any clean energy project. CERTs offers a list of funding opportunities currently available in the fields of energy and the environment. Start exploring now! Learn more
Looking for technology resources?
If you’re looking to learn more about a specific technology, like energy efficiency, solar, or wind, we have what you’re looking for. Our technology resources include everything from basic introductions and frequently asked questions to CERTs case studies to recent reports and organizations that can help you go deeper. Learn more
CERTs Supported Projects
CERTs awards mini-grants to community groups for energy efficiency and clean energy projects across Minnesota. We awarded grants in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. The average amount is $5,000. We have descriptions and maps of all of the projects that we’ve funded. Check them out to see what folks are doing! See projects
Detailed Resources for Farmers
Improving Farm Energy Efficiency: A Guide to Navigating the Process – The Minnesota Project
This guide will help farmers navigate the steps implementing an energy efficiency project would likely take. The guide provides advice on how to become most knowledgeable about the energy use and potential for savings on your farm and how to use this knowledge to cut costs and save energy. The guide also includes a compilation of the best tools and resources for evaluating energy efficiency opportunities.
Energy Efficient Farms: Identifying the Proper Improvements – The Minnesota Project
This guide delves most directly into identifying the types of technologies and conservation practices farmers can use on their operations to help save them money. The document discusses energy efficiency opportunities common to all types of farms, and also includes specific advice for specific types of farm operations. In addition to advice on the best practices, the guide also provides a rundown of analytical tools and utility rebates likely available to interested farmers.
Farm Energy Efficiency Fact Sheets – The Minnesota Project
Farm Energy Efficiency Resource Center – The Minnesota Project
The Minnesota Project’s Farm Energy Efficiency Resource Center contains a collection of the most relevant informational materials relating to on farm energy efficiency. From specific information concerning the most efficient milking pump technology, to do-it-yourself farm energy audit tools, this database can be your one-stop location for all educational documents and technical resources concerning on farm energy efficiency.
Farm Efficiency Service Providers Map – The Minnesota Project
This map features energy auditors, utilities, and grant writers serving Minnesota that can help you with energy conservation and efficiency on your farm.
Clean Energy Resource Teams