Applications are now being accepted from B.C. producers
who want to incorporate renewable energy technologies into their existing agricultural and agri-food operations.
“The Government of Canada is working hard to provide farmers with opportunities to enhance their competitiveness,” said federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “Adopting renewabl technologies like wind turbines and geothermal heating will help ensure a sustainable future for farming and the environment.”
Funded through the federal-provincial Growing Forward agreement, feasibility assessments will assist farm families and agri-food businesses in applying these technologies to reduce energy costs, become energy self-sufficient, cut greenhouse gas emissions and diversify beyond conventional agricultural-based income sources.
“B.C.’s agriculture industry is a strategic target for renewable
energy technologies as farmers and ranchers are some of the key stewards of the province’s land,” said B.C. Minister of Agriculture Don McRae. “Our farming families have already proven themselves as leaders in innovation, and this opportunity to explore further advances and new ways of doing things provides
for increased economic security.”
Participants will be selected through a call for expressions of
interest and based on several criteria, including commodity type, location and size, viability of technology adoption and transferability to other agricultural and agri-food operations.
Successful applicants will undergo a confidential, in-depth
assessment to determine the technical and financial viability of integrating a specific renewable energy technology into their existing operation. They will receive an implementation plan to follow, should they decide to proceed with installation of the technology being examined at their operation.
Participants will be required to contribute toward the cost of their assessment before it commences, and to consent to the release of their assessment (with confidential information removed) upon its completion. This contribution will be 30 per cent of the costs (up to a maximum of $5,000).
Graphic used from Ag Canada website
.