The USDA has sponsored the development of a new series of extension materials designed specifically with new farmers in mind. Called “Energy Answers for the Beginning Farmer & Rancher”, it utilizes farm energy experts from university extension programs across the country to answer hot-topic energy questions. The main product of the project is a series of short, engaging videos and resources that give useful tips and information on-farm energy.
Featured videos include:
- What alternative energy systems can be used in the greenhouse industry?
- How can we improve energy efficiency in greenhouses?
- Are LED lamps better for crop production in greenhouses?
- What is it like to heat with on farm bioenergy?
- How do I analyze the Energy Use Quotient for my farm?
- What are some basics about solar lease agreements?
- How to Use Less Energy to heat a Greenhouse?
- Is a Geothermal Heat Pump Right for Your Farm?
- How is Energy Efficiency Achieved in Indoor, Urban Agriculture?
- How to increase profits making maple syrup?
- Can you lower energy costs for field crop production?
- How to choose a feedstock for pellet making?
- Energy efficient LEDs and long day lighting for dairy
- How to control energy use and cost?
- How to grow greenhouse crops sustainably?
- Can I use biodiesel in farm diesel engines?
- Where can I find money to implement energy efficiency measures?
- How do I make pellets on the farm?
- How to determine pellet durability?
- How can you compare heating costs of different fuels?
- How can I save on the cost of grain drying?
- How to select LED lights for agriculture?
- Why do an energy audit on your farm?
- Is wood heat right for you?
- How can proper livestock ventilation save energy & feed?
- What is it like to apply for farm energy incentive programs like REAP?
- How to choose a heating fuel?
- How to save money by understanding your electric bill?
- How to choose proper livestock ventilation fans?
- How do I size a cooler for on-farm produce storage?
- How to design an energy efficient hydroponic system?
Also, check out our stand-alone series on solar energy!
Solar On a Farm Series
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- Solar On a Farm, 1: Motivation
- Solar On a Farm, 2: Location and Tilt
- Solar On a Farm, 3: System Sizing
- Solar On a Farm, 4: Economics
These videos are posted on the project team’s YouTube channel, Energy Answers for the Beginning Farmer & Rancher. Contributing extension programs include Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech.
Please see the videos below along with other resources that might be helpful.
Video: What alternative energy systems can be used in the greenhouse industry?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: How can we improve energy efficiency in greenhouses?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: Are LED lamps better for crop production in greenhouses?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: What is it like to heat with on farm bioenergy?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: How do I analyze the Energy Use Quotient for my farm?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: What are some basics about solar lease agreements?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: How to Use Less Energy to Heat a Greenhouse?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: Is a Geothermal Heat Pump Right for Your Farm?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: How is Energy Efficiency Achieved in Indoor, Urban Agriculture?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: How to increase profits making maple syrup?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: Can you lower energy costs for field crop production?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: How to choose a feedstock for pellet making?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: Energy efficient LEDs and long day lighting for dairy
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: How to control energy use and cost?
Other Resources:
- Penn State Home Energy Log, Penn State Extension
Video: How to grow greenhouse crops sustainably?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: Energy efficient LEDs and long day lighting for dairy
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: Can I use biodiesel in farm diesel engines?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: Where can I find money to implement energy efficiency measures?
Other Resources:
- EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative website, Natural Resources and Conservation Services, United States Department of Agriculture
REAP Rural Energy for America Program website, Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture
Video: How do I make pellets on the farm?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: How to determine pellet durability?
Other Resources:
- Pellet Fuels Institute, Standards Program website
Video: How can you compare heating costs of different fuels?
Other Resources:
- “How to Compare Heating Fuels” Publication, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Extension
Video: How can I save on the cost of grain drying?
Other Resources:
- Grain Drying Fan Selection Calculator (online format), University of Minnesota Extension
- “Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook” (for purchase), MidWest Plan Service
Video: How to select LED lights for agriculture?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: Why do an energy audit on your farm?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: Is wood heat right for you?
Other Resources:
- “How to Compare Heating Fuels” Publication, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Extension
- EPA’s Burn Wise Website
- Penn State Online Annual Heating Energy Cost Analyzer tool (Excel format), Penn State University Extension
Video: How can proper livestock ventilation save energy & feed?
Other Resources: (None listed)
Video: What is it like to apply for farm energy incentive programs like REAP?
Other Resources:
- The United States Department of Agriculture’s REAP Program website
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative website
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) website
- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Educational Video, USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Virginia Tech Extension
Video: How to choose a heating fuel?
Other Resources:
- Penn State Online Energy Selector tool (Excel format), Penn State Extension
- Penn State Paper Energy Selector (for purchase), Penn State Extension
- Penn State Online Annual Heating Energy Cost Analyzer tool (Excel format), Penn State Extension
Video: How to save money by understanding your electric bill?
Other Resources:
- Example bill from “Understanding On-Farm Utility Costs and Billing,” Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Video: How to choose proper livestock ventilation fans?
Other Resources:
Video: How do I size a cooler for on-farm produce storage?
Other Resources:
- “On-Farm Cold Storage of Fall-Harvested Fruit and Vegetable Crops” Publication, Scott Sanford, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension and John Hendrickson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Video: How to design an energy efficient hydroponics system?
Other Resources:
- Rutgers Ecocomplex website
Farm Energy Answers is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA.
