Links and Resources

Ag Energy Solutions
This website is designed to help farmers save money and reduce environmental externalities from their farms. AgEnergySolutions promotes the long term sustainability and longevity of a family based rural community and agricultural market throughout the United States. AgEnergySolutions is an effort of Vermont Law School’s Institute for Energy and the Environment. Site has publications, cost saving tips, and links to other resources.

American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACE3)
ACE3 held their second national Forum on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture (Food and Energy from the Ground Up: Efficiency's Role in Sustainable Agriculture) on Februrary 20–22, 2008 in Des Moines, Iowa. Site gives forum’s program and contact information.

American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
ASES is the non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. This website has a lot of information everything from green jobs and technical specifications to publications and an event calendar.

American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
AWEA is a national trade association of individuals, organizations, and businesses involved in the wind industry. The website features news, research information, education materials, answers to technical and policy questions, and access to wind energy publications. New online information is posted regularly. Other online resources provided by AWEA include WindNet, a discussion mailing list for wind energy researchers and enthusiasts, and other mailing lists devoted to wind and renewable energy.

Biodiesel
The National Biodiesel Board’s website contains almost everything you would ever want to know about biodiesel.

EnSave
Since 1991, EnSave has been providing agricultural producers and food processors with cost-effective ways to reduce operating costs while saving energy and conserving our nation's natural resources.

Farm Energy
This website provides information on the Energy Title programs of the Federal Farm Bill and energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities that benefit farmers, ranchers and rural communities. This site is sponsored by the Environmental Law & Policy Center

Idaho Office of Energy
A variety of information is available on renewable resources (solar, wind, geothermal, bioenergy), conservation, and financial assistance. The site is also home to Idaho’s Strategic Alliance that is working to develop a sound energy portfolio for the state.

Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Energize Montana provides information on conservation, energy events, publications, and renewable energy. The renewable energy section contains information on biomass/biofuels, solar/geothermal, wind, net metering as well as available alternative energy loans and tax credits.

Motor Decisions Matter
Motor Decisions Matter is a national public-awareness campaign sponsored by a consortium of motor manufacturers, motor service centers, trade associations, electric utilities and government agencies. This site contains information you can use to develop a motor management plan that meets your company’s needs. It has tools such as a motor planning kit and a motorslide calculator, an event calendar, case studies, and links to other helpful resources on motors.

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Offers publications, success stories, and links that explain how to make farm buildings more energy efficient, use the sun's energy to heat greenhouses and pump water, choose and put up wind turbines, make and use biofuels, and much more.

Nebraska Tractor Test Lab
The University of Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory is the officially designated tractor testing station for the United States and tests tractors according to the codes of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

North Dakota State University Extension Service
The North Dakota State University Extension Service has a new publication to help crop and livestock producers make their operations more energy efficient. The free publication, “Farmstead Energy Audit,” (PDF/587K) is meant to be a reference guide and starting point to look at ways to save money and resources on the farm and ranch. Topics include tractor and field operations, grain drying, indoor and outdoor lighting, irrigation, livestock watering, livestock buildings, farm shops and the home. Each section contains simple tips to reduce costs and more involved management suggestions that farmers and ranchers can try in their efforts to get more money out of their energy budget.

Oregon Department of Agriculture
The Department’s website covers energy and agriculture, including types of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, and incentives for energy projects.

Oregon Department of Energy
The Department’s website has information about all types of renewable energy, including solar, wind, geothermal, biomass/biofuels, hydro and ocean wave technology as well as conservation and financial assistance programs. It also explains how Oregon is meeting the challenge of climate change.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Since 1988, the SARE program has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The site features recent publications, project reports, event calendars, and grant resources.

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services
Four on-line energy estimator tools help reduce costs and usage in animal housing, irrigation, nitrogen fertilizer and tillage.

Washington Department of Agriculture
The website focuses on energy efficiency in agriculture, energy freedom loans and bioenergy.

Washington State University Energy Extension Service
This site contains a specific section on energy and agriculture including an agriculture listserv that highlights agricultural news, events and resources. The site is also home to the State’s Climate Change and Rural Development Center and a full-service library dedicated to energy-related research. The library houses a specialized collection of thousands of books, hundreds of trade journals and newsletters, and a wide assortment of commercial electronic databases.

In addition to using the resources listed above, you can also contact:

• Your local electric/gas utilities to see what programs and financial assistance maybe available.
• Universities and extension services