NRCS RC&D Councils Host Energy Conservation Conference for Farmers

December 13, 2006 - Sheraton Annapolis Hotel Annapolis, Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 28, 2006) --- Maryland farmers and conservation officials can learn about new trends in “Energy Conservation Opportunities on the Farm” during a day-long conference scheduled for Wednesday, December 13, 2006 in Annapolis, Maryland. The conference is sponsored by the National Association of Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Councils, Delaware and Maryland RC&D Councils and Maryland and Delaware Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

“This conference will be a good opportunity for farmers and NRCS, Soil Conservation District (SCD) and Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) field staff to learn about farm energy usage and the Farm Energy Audit program currently being implemented within the Conservation Security Program (CSP) counties in Maryland, “ said Mark Rose, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs for NRCS Maryland.

“Thomas Jefferson said that …“Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens.” He knew the important role farmers played in our great Nation. With America’s energy sources no longer as secure as they once were, it is time to promote sustainability of our resources.”

This training conference will help you better understand how energy (specifically electricity) is used on farms, and how to identify efficiency improvements. The conference will show you practical examples of energy savings on farms. Real world examples and case studies will be used and each participant will receive a packet of handout materials.

The Conference is an opportunity to learn about Energy Conservation Opportunities on the Farm and what is involved in the performance of a Farm Energy Audit. This event is designed to demonstrate how partnering among private, local, State, and Federal organizations can foster the sharing of ideas. In addition, the conference will serve as an opportunity to network with key organizations that deal with energy and natural resource issues. (more)

“These are exciting times to be involved in both conservation and renewable energy. We hope you will join us in Annapolis for this conference”, added Rose.

Agenda items at the conference include:

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Registration and Morning Refreshments

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Opening & General Session

Welcome and Introductions

Keynote Speaker Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., (Invited)

General Session: Part I
Managing Electricity Use on All Types of Farms
Presented by: Richard Hiatt of the National Food and Energy Council (NFEC)
This session will describe how electricity is used on U. S. farms, and offer insight into efficiency improvements and cost savings. This first segment of a two-part session begins with an overview of energy consumption on American farms as a whole. Focusing then on electric energy, attendees will learn how to group major on-farm processes into categories as part of an energy audit. Each category, such as lighting, ventilation, crop drying, feed handling, irrigation and heating will be discussed.

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Break

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
General Session General Session: Part I (Continued)
Managing Electricity Use on All Types of Farms
Presented by: Richard Hiatt of the National Food and Energy Council (NFEC)
This is a continuation of the earlier session, to look further into on-farm electricity consumption. Additional processes that are common to U.S. farms will be described in terms of energy use, including crop drying, materials handling (feed, manure, etc.), and major dairy farm loads. Examples from actual farms will be used to clarify key concepts, and identify the best opportunities for energy improvements.

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM LUNCHEON
Remarks by Partner Organization Leaders
Sharon Ruggi, President, National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
General Session General Session: Part II
Putting what we’ve learned to work: Overview of Farm Energy Audits
Presented by: Craig Metz of EnSave, Inc.
This session will offer a general overview of a farm energy audit. The session will begin with a brief presentation by a Maryland poultry farmer and his personal experience with an energy audit. The session will continue with a presentation by EnSave who will provide a step-by-step walk through of an on-farm energy audit. EnSave will provide copies of a sample poultry farm audit report to the audience.

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM Break

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
General Session General Session Part III
Funding Opportunities for Implementation of Energy Conservation Measures Recommended in a Farm Energy Audit.
The session will focus on funding opportunities that may be available to implement energy saving recommendations made in an on-farm energy audit.

2:30 PM – 2:40 PM
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

2:40 PM – 3:00 PM
USDA Rural Development (RD)

3:00 PM – 3:10 PM
Maryland Energy Administration (MEA)

3:10 PM – 3:20 PM
Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO)

3:20 PM – 4:00 PM
Panel Discussion
This session will host an open panel discussion. Panelists will include: a Maryland poultry grower, EnSave, NFEC, Resource Conservation & Development and General Session Part III Funding Opportunity Speakers NRCS, Rural Development, MEA and MARBIDCO. The panelists will discuss the main issues raised during the day and take questions from the audience.

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
General Closing Message

4:15 PM Adjourn

For more information on this conference please contact Andrew Gordon, Director of Programs, with the National Association of RC&D Councils at 202-434-4863 or visit the NARC&D Council’s Website at www.rcdnet.org.

NRCS is USDA’s lead conservation agency and has worked hand-in-hand with farmers and landowners for more than 70 years to conserve natural resources on private lands.

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