August 30, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, made a stop at the 2023 Farm Progress Show in Decatur Wednesday to announce a $266 million investment in loans and grants aimed at improving renewable energy accessibility and general energy efficiency.
“Creating opportunity for rural communities means investing in farmers, ranchers, and small businesses,” Secretary Vilsack said during his presentation at the show. “These once-in-a-generation investments in renewable energy, like wind and solar, and energy-efficient technologies create new markets and deliver real cost savings for our small and mid-sized agricultural operations and Main Street businesses, building and keeping wealth in rural America.”
Earlier this year, the USDA made $1.3 billion available for farmers, ranchers and rural businesses to invest in future energy efforts through the Rural Energy for America Program, which will be responsible for awarding today’s announced investment. The funding is made possible in part by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which is a pillar of Biden’s Investing in America economic agenda.
“Instead of just having one way for producers to make money, small and mid-sized producers can essentially create opportunities to showcase how they’re using their land and invest in a renewable energy plan to sell their energy,” Vilsack said.
The new investment will benefit over 1,300 energy projects in nearly all 50 states, in addition to Guam and Puerto Rico. Funding that has already been granted to agriculture professionals across the nation has purchased solar energy systems, offset coal and carbon emissions and is expected to generate thousands, if not millions, in revenue in the coming years.
“This isn’t just about agriculture—it’s about the fate of small towns in rural America,” Vilsack remarked. “This farm bill is one tool, but it’s not the only tool.”
During Secretary Vilsack’s time at the Farm Progress Show, he met with Illinois Rep. Nikki Budzinski’s Agriculture Advisory Council, alongside Illinois Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and other local elected officials, to hear firsthand from local ag producers about the state of the industry in Illinois. Vilsack announced the new REAP investment at the main Farm Progress Show stage, highlighting the program’s importance to President Biden’s economic agenda. Stratton underscored her commitment to expanding agriculture education across the state, including increasing FFA membership by 100% by eliminating membership fees.
“I am a proud champion of agriculture in our state,” Lt. Gov. Stratton said at the opening of Vilsack’s talk. “We are all connected by ag!”
Rural small businesses and agricultural producers are eligible to apply for REAP funding on the USDA’s website, and as a part of The White House’s Justice40 initiative, 40% of the investment is intended to reach historically marginalized and underserved communities as well as those underfunded or overburdened by pollution. The USDA is particularly interested in projects that will create good-paying jobs and build a clean energy economy that will combat the ongoing climate crisis.
Rep. Budzinski joined Byers & Co. live from the show this morning to talk about Sec. Vilsack’s visit and the newly announced investment. Listen to the podcast HERE.
