By M. Charles Gould
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.