Green Help For Farmers

These days it can be tough to make a living as a farmer. Energy costs are high and most farms use a lot of power.

But, a workshop being held at the end of this month aims to help farmers learn ways to go green and save at the same time.

"With energy costs going up particularly with gasoline, natural gas and even electric its more important than ever to reduce those costs and make the best use of the energy that you get," says Bob King, Ph.D. Director of MCC's Agriculture & Life Sciences Institute.

The event is being hosted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and MCC. "We need to provide expertise to the agricultural community so they can also take advantage of these programs and help reduce their carbon footprint," King adds.

MCC's greenhouse is a good example of efficiency. But they also want those in the agriculture business to go beyond the small steps and implement big changes.

King says, "we'll also have expertise from mcc about how to implement green and environmentally friendly energy sources such as biofuels, solar, wind, geothermal."

And there is help for those who want to make "green" upgrades. "The New York State Research and Development Authority has grants available to offset the cost of an audit, up to 1500 dollars for a farm energy audit as well as incentives 75 percent of the cost of updating and upgrading equipment that relates to either electric or natural gas usage," King says.

The event is being held on March 30th at the VFW Post 6105 on Peck Road in Hilton. It goes from 7:00 p-m. until 9:00 p.m.

For more information contact Bob King at rking@monroecc.edu.