The Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection’s Energy Programs Office is offering an Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program for farmers.

Rebates are being offered for the following energy upgrade categories:

Rebates will pay up to 50% of equipment purchase costs — up to $5,000. Applicants may apply under all three technology categories, but the maximum rebate is $5,000 per applicant. Up to $500 in installation costs may be included in the total project costs for each technology category, to be reimbursed at up to 50%.

The program is open on a first-come, first-served basis as funding remains available, or through June 30. You must apply to obtain a rebate voucher before installing equipment. All applications must be submitted online through eGrants/Electronic Single Application. 

More information can be found on the Department of Environment website, along with a link to step-by-step application instructions and a link to the online application at dep.pa.gov/agricultureenergy.

Questions on the program may be directed to Michelle Ferguson at 570-327-3783 or email R[email protected]

Rodale crop symposium set

Rodale Institute’s first specialty crop symposium will be held March 28 at the institute’s Pocono Organic Center in Long Pond, Pa.

The daylong program will include presentations on organic specialty crop production in a variety of agroecosystems in the Northeast.

It will also include tours of Pocono Organic Center research projects; presentations by leading speakers from Rodale Institute, University of Vermont and Penn State on topics such as saffron, CBD, fiber hemp and ginseng; and discussions about integrated pest management and UV-light treatment.

A question-and-answer session with speakers will be included after every presentation. Lunch is included.

The cost is $75 to attend.

The Pocono Organics Farm was started by the Mattioli family, founders of Pocono Raceway. This thriving regenerative organic operation not only provides unprecedented access to organic foods to the region, but also more than 60 jobs for military veterans and members of the local community.

In 2022, Rodale Institute announced the creation of the Rodale Institute Pocono Organic Center at the site of Pocono Organics, a regional resource center for farmers in Pennsylvania that promotes and enhances access to regenerative organic farming resources and research.

For more information on the symposium, visit rodaleinstitute.org.