Are you a rural small business owner, dairy producer or an individual involved in sustainable agriculture or energy? If so, you may want to sign up to attend this one-time workshop hosted by the National Center for Appropriate Technology to learn more about the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) program.

REAP is part of the Energy Title of the 2008 Farm Bill. It provides grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to make energy efficiency improvements, help purchase renewable energy systems and perform renewable energy feasibility studies. For more information on REAP, visit http://farmenergy.org/tools/reap-faq and http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/bprogs.htm.

What: A workshop to learn more about USDA grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy

When: Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where: AR Tech University, Dean Hall 121, Russellville, AR

We will be sitting down with a representative of USDA Rural Development to take an in-depth look at the proposal process, what types of projects are eligible, and where you can find assistance if you decide to apply. Our focus will be on understanding how to develop a successful REAP proposal for those in the small business and sustainable agriculture sector who would like to make energy efficiency improvements as well as install small renewable energy projects.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP before May 6th to Leif Kindberg at leifk@ncat.org or by phone at (479)575-1380 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (479)575-1380      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (479)575-1380      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.