Program helping farmers save on energy

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - In an effort to develop energy conscious projects in rural areas, one local non-profit is helping farmers stay on the grid and save money.

The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program recently developed a series of free guidebooks outlining cost-effective upgrades

Jeremy Barker-Plotkin of Simple Gifts Farm in Amherst told 22News that he has benefited from energy efficiency improvements.

“Our electricity bill was around four to five hundred dollars a month in the past, and it's down maybe to two to three hundred dollars a month,” he said. “We use energy in a lot of ways, we have a walk-in cooler here at the farm, a greenhouse that's got fans.”

“Last couple of years working with farmers, we've leveraged four and half million dollars in other state and federal farms, so farmers can use those four and half million dollars to implement projects on their farms,” said Jessica Cook of the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program.

Each guidebook is organized by sector, from dairy farming to maple sugaring. To access those guides, log on to berkshirepioneerrcd.org.

Simple Gifts Farms will host its annual Harvest Festival this Sunday, September 23rd from Noon-5PM.