Mass. farmers to get grant money

BOSTON (AP) - The state is distributing $455,000 in grants to promote the use of renewable energy in agriculture.

The Department of Agricultural Resources says the grants will go to 32 farms, cranberry bogs and maple syrup producers in Massachusetts. The money will be used for renewable energy projects such as photovoltaic systems for fruit and vegetable growers, variable speed vacuum pumps for dairy farmers and thermal blankets for greenhouses.

Gov. Deval Patrick says the systems will allow farmers to save on energy and help the environment.

The largest grants, $25,000 each, will go to the Clarkdale Fruit Farm in Deerfield and Stow Greenhouses.

Officials say 89 green energy grants totaling $1.2 million have been distributed to agricultural interests since 2009.