Massachusetts Farm Energy Program
Application to Receive Grant Proposal Writing Assistance from the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program
The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program, through Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D, is providing technical assistance for applying to USDA-Rural Development's annual Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant Program. Farmers and (agricultural) rural small businesses who are planning to purchase renewable energy systems and/or energy efficiency improvements are encouraged to apply for our grant proposal writing assistance. The grantwriting assistance to complete the USDA/RD application is for any project under $200,000 and for a limited number of projects over $200,000. Applicants who are eligible to apply to the RD grant program, can demonstrate some level of readiness, and can show the technical merit of their project will receive favorable consideration. Information on the RD energy programs can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html. Application packages are available from your local Rural Development Area Office at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ma/Massachusetts.htm.
Completed applications must be received by Charles Dubuc, USDA Rural Development, 60 Quaker Lane, Suite 44, Warwick RI 02886 by close of business on April 15 (Round 1) or by June 16 (Round 2).
Requirements for the USDA-RD energy grant program:
1. Your project must be in a rural eligible area
You should first check your property address to ensure that you are in an eligible rural area. Visit the USDA Rural Development website, and enter the property address of the proposed project location.
2. You must be an agricultural producer and/or a rural small business
Agricultural producer
An agricultural producer is an individual or entity directly engaged in the production of agricultural products, including crops (including farming); Livestock (including ranching); forestry products; hydroponics; nursery stock; or aquaculture, whereby 50% or greater of their gross income is derived from the operations.
Provide the gross market value of your agricultural products, gross agricultural income, and gross non-farm income of the applicant for the calendar year preceding the year in which you submit your application.
| Line 1 __________________ | Schedule F - line 3 and 4 (gross market value of agricultural products) |
| Line 2 __________________ | Schedule F - line 11 (gross agricultural income) |
| Line 3 __________________ | Line 22 of IRS form 1040 + line 28 and 30 from Schedule C (gross non-farm income) |
Line 1 divided by (Line 2 + Line 3) must be 50% or greater.
Rural Small Business
In order to determine that you qualify as a small business, you must also meet the same standard definition used by the SBA (Small Business Administration). Please look up your 6 digit NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code in the Table of Small Business Size Standards (dial up users, please be patient when downloading this 42 page document). Your NAICS code can often be found on page 1 of your tax return listed as business code number. View and print the limitations page for future verification. Determine that your income and number of employees are within the limits established by your SBA classification.
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If you meet these two requirements (rural eligible area and an agricultural producer or rural small business) and are interested in applying for grant proposal writing assistance from The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program, proceed with this application. Please note that we plan to offer application assistance until the end of the grant period and as long as resources are available.
If you are unclear whether you meet these two requirements, please contact your local Rural Development Area Office at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ma/Massachusetts.htm