WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced Rubingh’s Dairyland in Ellsworth and Home Comfort Farms, LLC in Johannesburg have received grants totaling $27,585 as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

“By helping farms in Northern Michigan become more energy efficient, these grants serve a dual role of saving money and improving the environment,” Stupak said.  “With our farmers today facing higher costs for energy, it is important that USDA continues to promote and provide these rural energy grants.”

Rubingh’s Dairyland received two grants totaling $24,570 to replace pumps and compressors to reduce electrical consumption and to install a wood biomass heating system for daily operations.

Home Comfort Farms, LLC received a grant of $3,015 to install a 1.2 kilowatt wind turbine generator.

REAP loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies and energy audits. More information on the REAP program, which was authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, is at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html. 

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