Wisconsin Agriculturist Logo

Organic Valley launches clean energy loan fund

Cooperative partners with Clean Energy Credit Union to roll out $1 million fund to finance farm energy efficiency improvements.

March 23, 2021

2 Min Read
solar panels in a field
Stocktrek Images/ThinkstockPhotos-

Organic Valley is partnering with Clean Energy Credit Union to launch the Powering the Good Loan Fund to provide the best loan terms for farmers seeking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels with renewable energy and efficiencies. The program is first of its kind for both cooperatives, pioneering a unique clean energy loan fund for more than 1,700 farmers across the country.

Organic Valley and Clean Energy CU will roll out a $1 million fund with plans to expand.

“Organic Valley leads on renewable energy. We have been 100% renewable powered in our owned facilities since 2019, and now we are going a step further,” said Bob Kirchoff, Organic Valley CEO. “We are focused on a whole systems approach to renewable energy, and I’m excited to debut this energy loan fund. From the farm to the shelf, I see renewable energy playing a bigger role in organic food. We are providing farmers a means to reduce their energy costs and become more self-sufficient and sustainable. Farmers who participate in this loan fund contribute to a healthy, regenerative future for the next generation.”

Loans supplied to Organic Valley farmers through Clean Energy CU will be used for:

  • Solar electric systems to offset farm energy consumption.

  • Farm energy efficiency improvements such as plate coolers, VFDs, LED lighting, insulation, ventilation and more.

  • Geothermal systems and ground-source heat pumps for farm heating and cooling.

“This is a great example of cooperation among cooperatives to pursue our aligned missions,” said Blake Jones, volunteer board chair of Clean Energy CU. “Organic Valley is already helping to protect the environment through regenerative and organic farming practices, and now they’re going one step further by supporting the installation of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for their farmer-members. In addition to the environmental benefits, we’re also excited about helping family farmers throughout the USA to lower their energy costs and improve the bottom line of their independently owned farms.”

Source: Organic Valley, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. 

Read more about:

Solar
Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like