U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, was among state and federal officials who were at the farm Thursday to celebrate the award. She said there has been a recent increase in interest in sustainable and organic farming and buying local products, and programs like REAP help farms become more sustainable while bringing farming into the future.
“We love our rural communities, and we’d like to see more people be able to move back to rural communities … and raise their families,” Pingree said.
Ellen McAdam, who owns McDougal Orchards with her husband Jack, expects the panels will provide power for almost all of the energy needs of the family business.
The total cost of the project is expected to be $60,000, said Jack McAdam. The REAP grant, federal tax incentives and depreciation could bring the cost to the family down to $20,000. The estimated savings over 25 years is $91,000, he said.
The farm sells fruit at its farm stand, at the local farmers’’ market, and to wholesalers and customers who come to the farm to pick their own apples. It is one of 13 Maine businesses and farms that have received a total of about $108,000 in REAP grants to assist in the implementation of renewable energy systems.
Another recipient in York County is Fat & Happy Inc., a coffee roasting company in North Berwick, which received about $15,000 to install ground-mounted solar panels.
USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah said over the past five years, REAP grants have helped thousands of small businesses and farms across the country.
Helping small businesses and farms install renewable energy systems helps the businesses improve their bottom line and its good for the environment, she said.
“We really get a two-fer,” said Mensah.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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