This site is designed to help Hudson Valley farms reduce energy needs, improve farm profitability and learn about innovative farm energy projects taking place in the region. Information on energy conservation practices, alternative energy options, and funding sources are provided. This effort has been supported by a grant from Cornell Cooperative Extension Director's Grant Program.

Farm Innovations  

Solar electric tractors. (click on www.flyingbeet.com/electricg).
The first version was cool enough that the USDA funded an improved version which got lots of national publicity. Many have been built and are in use around the country with more coming every month. Who needs to farm with biodiesel when you can farm with the sun.

The CoolBot! New invention that took us (Huguenot Street Farm, New Paltz, New York ) 5 years of development, allows small farmers/wineries/even caterers and restaurants to run a commercial sized walk-in cooler (up to 140' feet) on a home air-conditioner! (We've tried it on 7 brands of air conditioner now. It works and no warranty voiding modifications need to be made to the A/C unit). Best yet, it lowers operating electricity costs up to 65% compared to normal walk-in cooler compressor. We run our cooler down to 35 degrees with a $325 air conditioner from Home Depot. Check it out at www.storeitcold.com.

Web Info /Funding Opportunities

ATTRA Farm Energy Website
http://attra.ncat.org/energy.php  

• Find info on 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.
• Includes a search tool that makes it easy to find energy-related equipment, funding, and technical assistance in your state.