California Ag Network

Category: Technology

  • Can Growers Store Carbon by Changing their Water?

    What if Central Valley Farmers could sequester carbon in their soil by only changing how they treat their irrigation water? That is the question driving a new $500,000 study at Fresno State. If 400,000 acres — 10% of the irrigated acres in California — adopted this practice, over 30 million tons of CO2 could be stored in soil through the water every year, as estimated by the research study’s hypothesis. Currently, less than 1% of the acreage in California is using it.

    “Soil health is what brought me to California, and this study is exactly the kind of work I came here to do. A simple change to water treatment could have a meaningful impact on soil health and carbon sequestration, and this research will help us understand that potential,” said Dr. Sangeeta Bansal, assistant professor of plant science at Fresno State and the principal investigator.

    The study is the largest and longest farm-scale investigation of CO2 in water treatment ever conducted, spanning three years on six working pistachio farms in California’s Central Valley. The California Energy Commission provided primary funding, with support from F3 Innovate.

    ECO2MIX, a Fresno-based agriculture company, is providing the water treatment for the study. Their equipment dissolves CO2 into irrigation water to produce carbonic acid, primarily to adjust water pH.

    “I started ECO2MIX because I saw the damage sulfuric acid was causing to farms and people, and I knew there had to be a better solution, and carbonic acid was exactly that. This study will finally help us understand the additional benefits after water treatment. If this can sequester carbon across the Central Valley through the water, that is a big deal for California sustainability,” said Waldo Moraga, CEO and President of ECO2MIX.

    High-pH irrigation water is common throughout the Central Valley and affects the health of soil and plants. Correcting water pH addresses many problems simultaneously. Carbonic acid also offers a safety advantage over current practices. Other acids are corrosive to equipment and require specialized handling and safety. On the other hand, carbonic acid, the same compound that gives sparkling water its bubbles, is safe to handle.

    “We are always evaluating what tools are available to us as farmers and what they can do for our operation. If the water we are already using can do more for the soil and increase profitability, we want to know about it,” said Joe Coelho, a farmer participating in the research and the Director of Sustainability and Member Outreach for American Pistachio Growers.

    About ECO2MIX

    ECO2MIX provides water pH control as a service by dissolving CO2 in water. The company designs, installs, and operates on-site reactors that treat irrigation water, which supports nutrient availability and efficient irrigation with additional soil health and sustainability benefits. ECO2MIX serves production agriculture and golf customers across high-pH water regions of the United States. For more information, visit www.eco2mix.com. For interviews or farm visits, contact Waldo Moraga at cherbert@eco2mix.com or call 559-321-7917.

  • Propane Council To Unveil Innovative Soil Steam Weeding at World Ag Expo

    The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is excited to introduce the first propane-powered soil steam unit for commercial use at the 2025 World Ag Expo February 11-13 in Tulare, CA. At the Western Propane Gas Association Booth (West Street WS20 and WS22), attendees can learn about propane’s pivitol role as a clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy source in agriculture production.

    In addition to viewing a variety of propane-powered equipment, including irrigation engines, a mower, generator, and more, PERC will be hosting a press conference at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11 to present the new propane-powered soil steamer. This groundbreaking new technology is designed to eliminate weeds and nematodes without the need for pesticides or herbicides—offering growers an eco-friendly solution to critical farming challenges.

    “Propane is already an excellent choice for modern agriculture—naturally reducing emissions without compromising efficiency—but this new technology is really a game-changer when it comes to organic and more sustainable food production,” said Michael Newland, director of agriculture business development at PERC. “With this soil steam unit, growers can maintain the optimal crop production necessary to have a successful operation, while also satisfying consumer and regulatory demands for lower emissions and reduced chemical reliance. It’s a win-win situation for both farmers and consumers.”

    This innovation is ideal for California’s high-value crops, including strawberries, carrots, lettuce, and cabbage. Using shallow steaming, the soil steamer applies steam to the top 1-2 inches of soil—the critical zone for weed seed germination—to ensure energy efficiency while achieving optimal results. Studies show that steam treatment can increase lettuce yields by 25% in areas affected by lettuce drop.

    The use of propane for soil steaming also offers growers a more reliable, low-emission energy source that is critical in California’s continuous growing season, without the risk of sudden power interruptions. Increasing demand on the electric grid system and system failures are no issue when it comes to the anytime, anywhere energy access available with propane.

    Stop by the Western Propane Gas Association booths (WS20, WS22) at World Ag Expo or visit www.Propane.com/SoilSteamer/. To explore propane’s benefits for agriculture and see how this innovative technology is shaping the future of sustainable farming overall, visit www.Propane.com/Agriculture.

    About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com.

  • Harnessing the Power of Hydrogen to Support California Agriculture

    California leads the nation in the adoption of renewable energy. Significant investments have been made in solar electricity generation and biogas digesters in its agricultural industry, but what about hydrogen power? The State of California was recently awarded $1.2 billion from the Federal Dept. of Energy to invest in hydrogen power as a renewable energy source and offers much promise to the agricultural processing and trucking industries. Neil Navin from SoCalGas met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share some of the possibilities, and explain how hydrogen power compares with electricity in its sources for sustainable generation and its ability to serve the needs of trucking and large equipment. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Malcolm Media’s agricultural publications.

  • USDA Scientists Develop Technology to Reduce Pathogens in Intact Eggs

    Radio Frequency unit. (Photo by Joseph Sites, ARS)

    CDC estimates Salmonella bacteria causes about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year. Despite their appearance in everyday meals and snacks, the truth is that raw eggs and egg products can carry Salmonella and cause foodborne illness and outbreaks, and even death, in some circumstances. But researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently found a way to combat this through Radio Frequency (R.F.) technology.

    A simple solution to foodborne pathogens in eggs would be to pasteurize all raw eggs before they are consumed; however, less than 3 percent of commercial eggs are pasteurized in the United States. Conventional thermal pasteurization of intact eggs is usually a long process that involves submerging eggs in hot water for more than 57 minutes to inactivate Salmonella cells. Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service’s (USDA-ARS) Eastern Regional Research Center in Wyndmoor, Pa., used a novel thermal technology that pasteurizes eggs and inactivates Salmonella cells with a short processing time.

    During the study, the water molecules inside the egg rotate and align with the RF instrument’s electric field. This molecular friction causes the liquid inside the egg to heat up quickly and subsequently reduce Salmonella by 99.999 percent within 24 minutes. The R.F.-processed eggs were transferred to the refrigerator and kept at 7°C for seven days to simulate the commercial cold chain temperature.

    “After treatment with the system, no intact Salmonella or sub-lethal Salmonella cell remnants were recovered, and no cell recovery was found in the R.F. – treated eggs when stored at retail refrigerated temperature,” said USDA-ARS Research Food Technologist Daniela Bermudez-Aguirre. “The egg quality, such as the color and other parameters, were also preserved through the processing.”

    This technology has shown several advantages when used in food, all without a negative effect on food quality. Statistics also show that Americans consumed a total amount of 93.1 billion eggs in 2023. So, this is a promising advancement for small farmers or egg processors and can ensure food-safe eggs while minimizing Salmonella. Consumers will also benefit from this technology since it preserves the quality of the eggs that can be used for special markets such as nursing homes, hospitals, or schools.

    ARS researchers will continue to develop this technology’s capabilities and expect it to be commercially available in the near future.

    The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in U.S. agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.

  • RNAi Technology: Another Biological Tool in the IPM Arsenal

    As the food production faces the persistent threat of endemic and invasive pests, researchers continue to develop new technologies and strategies for protecting crops from these threats.  One such new technology is RNA interference (RNAi) with targeted mechanisms towards specific pests.  RNAi can be used as a trait in a crop or as a sprayable product against the target pest.  Before delving further into this here are a few basic details of this biological process that will help understand the RNAi mechanism.

    Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the chromosomes of most living organisms contains genetic code for making proteins that are essential for various biological processes.  Ribonucleic acid (RNA) carries the genetic code from DNA to the protein-making factories within the cell known as ribosomes.  DNA has two strands of nucleotides (sets of deoxyribose sugar with nitrogenous bases connected by a phosphate group) whereas RNA has only one strand of nucleotides.  RNA also differs from DNA in having ribose sugar, instead of deoxyribose, and a different kind of nitrogenous base.  The purpose of RNA is to transfer the genetic code from DNA as amino acids are made in ribosomes.  A chain of amino acids makes a specific protein.  Examples of proteins in insects include juvenile hormone responsible for development and reproductive maturation, ecdysone responsible for molting and metamorphosis, digestive enzymes like amylases, glycosidases, lipases, and proteases, and esterases that are important in metabolizing various compounds that regulate behavior, development, insecticidal resistance, and other processes.

    RNAi involves silencing the expression of a specific gene by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) pieces (either small interfering RNA or microRNA each containing about 21-23 nucleotide pairs) attaching to messenger RNA (mRNA) carrying the code from DNA and thus interfering with the production of a specific protein.  RNAi is also known as post-transcriptional gene silencing because the silencing is done after the DNA code is transcribed to mRNA.  RNAi is a natural phenomenon that helps organisms to defend against infections or regulate gene expression.  For example, when there is a viral infection, cells activate RNAi to destroy virus particles.  RNAi-based therapies are currently used in the medical field to treat cancer and neurological issues and to regulate oxalic acid in urine or the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in blood.

    RNAi can be used in agriculture for improving yield or quality, imparting abiotic stress tolerance or pest resistance, and incorporating other desirable traits or as biopesticides in crop protection (Bharathi et al., 2023; Chaudhary et al., 2024).  Many research studies have been exploring the RNAi potential in agriculture for decades (Fletcher et al., 2020).  Modifying plant height in apple (Zhao et al., 2016), rice (Qiao et al., 2007), and tomato (Cheng et al., 202); imparting drought, salt, and heat tolerance in cotton (Abdurakhmonov et al., 2014), abiotic stress tolerance in cereal crops (Dubrovna et al., 2023), and cold tolerance in tomato (Jiao et al., 2024); imparting resistance to blast (Magnaporthe grisea) and leaf blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) in rice (Jiang et al., 2009), citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri) in citrus (Enrique et al., 2011), late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in potato (Eschen-Lippold et al., 2012), Fusarium head and seedling blight (Fusarium graminearum) in wheat (Cheng et al., 2015), soybean mosaic virus in soybean (Kim et al., 2016); imparting resistance to bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) in cotton (Mao et al., 2007 and 2011) and resistance to brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) in rice (Zha et al., 2011); and imparting resistance to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in tomato (Dutta et al., 2015) and soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) in soybean (Guo et al., 2015) are some of the examples of improving crop traits.

    The first RNAi crop in the United States is corn (SmartStax® PRO) against the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) containing both Bacillus thuringiensis toxins and RNAi technology (Head et al., 2017).  With its ability to resist both below- and above-ground lepidopteran pests, this hybrid is an important IPM tool.  This hybrid is also available in Canada for cultivation, and grain and products from the hybrid are approved for consumption in the European Union.  RNAi-based crops are not considered genetically modified organisms (GMOs) because they do not contain a foreign gene to express a particular protein like GMOs but use a natural mechanism to silence a particular gene.

    In addition to adding desirable traits to crops, RNAi has also been explored or developed for treating plants against pests and diseases.  While RNAi crops use the host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) method, RNAi biopesticides use the spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS).  SIGS has been explored for controlling Fusarium graminearum in barley (Koch et al., 2016), sucking and/or stem-boring insects in multiple crops (Li et al. 2015; Hunter and Wintermantel, 2021; Jain et al., 2022), hawthorn spider mite (Amphitetranychus viennensis) in fruit trees and woody ornamentals (Yang et al., 2023).  The first sprayable formulation of RNAi-based biopesticide is CalanthaTM from GreenLight Biosciences against the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Rodrigues et al., 2021).  The active ingredient is a dsRNA molecule known as Ledprona (Leptinotarsa decemlineata-specific recombinant double-stranded interfering Oligonucleotide GS2).  It belongs to a new class of insecticides under group 35 as an RNAi-mediated target suppressor.  Applied as a foliar spray, Ledprona suppresses the gene that produces proteasome subunit beta type-5 (PSBT5) in CPB and arrests insect feeding within 2-3 days after it is ingested leading to the death of the pest.  PSBT5 is an essential protein important in maintaining cellular protein quality by degrading damaged or misfolded proteins or proteins that are no longer needed.

    RNAi can also be used to protect honey bees from the Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (Hunter et al., 2010) and the Varroa mite (Garbian et al., 2012).  In field studies, honey bee populations and honey production increased when bees were fed dsRNA for the virus in the presence of virus in the colonies (Hunter et al., 2010).  The ectoparasite Varroa mite is a major threat to the honey bee colony health and its management is a significant challenge.  When honey bees ingest the mite-specific dsRNA that silences the calcium ion-binding protein known as calmodulin, the dsRNA is transmitted to the Varroa mite feeding on the hemolymph of the bees resulting in mite mortality (Garbian et al., 2012).

    As with any new technology, it is important to consider the impact of RNAi on the environment and non-target organisms.  Environmental risks and regulatory aspects of RNAi-based products have been reviewed in various reports (Liu et al., 2021; De Schutter et al., 2022; Christiaens et al., 2022).  Microbial activity, UV radiation, and other environmental conditions degrade dsRNA and they are generally less stable in the environment, especially under the field conditions where they are used (Bachman et al., 2020).  Studies showed that dsRNA degraded within two days in soil and 1-3 days in the aquatic environment (Dubelman et al., 2014; Fishcer et al., 2017).  Chen et al. (2023) reported that while an RNAi-based biopesticide was highly effective against the 28-spotted ladybeetle (Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata), a pest of solanaceous crops, it had no non-target effect on the predatory lady beetle Propylea japonica.  Similarly, studies showed that the dsRNA developed for controlling Varroa mite were safe for honey bees (Tan et al., 2016; Vélez et al., 2016) and the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexxippus) whose calmodulin mRNA has a slight match to the Varroa-active dsRNA (Krishnan et al., 2021).

    With regards to Ledprona, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that it has minimal human and environmental risks due to low application rates, rapid microbial degradation in the environment, and physiological barriers and degradation mechanisms in mammals.  EPA also gave Ledprona a “No Effect” determination according to the Endangered Species Act.

    Environmental instability is one of the concerns for SIGS but formulation technology can address this problem.  Instead of spraying naked dsRNA, formulating it with layered double hydroxide clay nanoparticles known as BioClay significantly extended the stability of dsRNA.  Spraying dsRNA in BioClay provided protection against pepper mild mottle virus and cucumber mosaic virus at least for 20 days and dsRNA was detected on the leaves 30 days after application (Mitter et al., 2017).  Similarly, spraying BioClay-formulated dsRNA 5 days before exposing to virus-containing green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) offered protection against the bean common mosaic virus in cowpea and benth (Nicotiana benthamiana) (Worrall et al., 2019).  In a more recent study, BioClay-formulated dsRNA against gray mold (Botrytis cenerea) increased disease protection from 1 week to 3 weeks on leaves and 5 days to 10 days on fruit (Niño-Sánchez et al., 2022).

    Arthropod pests and pathogens are resilient and rapidly evolving organisms and can develop resistance to RANi technology just like they develop to pesticides or transgenic crops.  Whether it is HIGS or SIGS, avoiding heavy reliance on one tool and adopting integrated pest management (IPM) and resistance management strategies is crucial even when using RNAi.  An IPM strategy that takes advantage of multiple tools will minimize the risk of resistance development while achieving desired pest suppression. — By Surendra Dara, Oregon State University Extension Entomologist

    References

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    Backman, P., J. Fischer, Z. Song, E. Urbanczyk-Wochniak and G. Watson.  2020.  Environmental fate and dissipation of applied dsRNA in soil, aquatic systems, and plants.  Front. Plant Sci. 11: 508351. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00021.

    Bharathi, J. K., R. Anandan, L. K. Benjamin, S. Muneer, and M.A.S. Prakash.  2023.  Recent trends and advances of RNA interference (RNAi) to improve agricultural crops and enhance their resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses.  Plant Physiol. Biochem. 194: 600-618.

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    Kim, H. J., M. J. Kim, J. H. Pak, H. H. Im, D. H. Lee, K. H. Ki, and Y. S. Chung.  2016.  RNAi-mediated soybean mosaic virus (SMV) resistance of a Korena soybean cultivar.  Plant Biotechnol. Reports 10: 257-267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11816-016-0402-y.

    Koch, A., D. Biedenkopf, A. Furch, L. Weber, O. Rossbach, E. Abdellatef, L. Linicus, J. Johannsmeier, L. Jelonek, A. Goesmann, V. Cardoza, J. McMillan, T. Mentzel and K.-H. Kogel.  2016.  An RNAi-based control of Fusarium graminearum infections through spraying of long dsRNAs involves a plant passage and is controlled by the fungal silencing machinery.  PLoS Pathogens 12: e1005901. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1005901.

    Krishnan, N., M. J. Hall, R. L. Hellmich, J. R. Coats and S. P. Bradbury.  2021.  Evaluating toxicity of Varroa mite (Varroa destructor)-active dsRNA to monarch butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) larvae.  PLoS One 16: e0251884. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251884.

    Li, H. R. Guan, H. Guo and X. Miao.  2015.  New insights into an RNAi approach for plant defence against piercing-sucking and stem-borer insect pests.  Plant, Cell & Environment 38: 2277-2285. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.12546.

    Liu, S., S. Geng, A. Li, Y. Mao and L. Mao.  2021.  RNAi technology for plant protection and its application in wheat.  aBIOTECH 2: 365-374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42994-021-00036-3.

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    Niño-Sánchez, J., P. T. Sambasivam, A. Sawyer, R. Hamby, A. Chen, E. Czislowski, P. Li, N. Manzie, D. M. Gardiner, R. Ford, Z. P. Xu, N. Mitter and H. Jin.  BioClayTM prolongs RNA interference-mediated crop protection against Botrytis cinerea.  J. Integrative Pl. Biol. 64: 2187-2198. https://doi.org/10.1111/jipb.13353.

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  • Milk Sustainability Center to Launch this Summer, Supporting Dairy Producers Across the Nation

    Sustainability is more than just a buzzword. In farming, it encompasses responsible stewardship of land and resources, while maintaining economic viability, so that farmers can continue feeding the world for generations to come.  John Deere and DeLaval have joined forces to create a new (free) tool to help dairy farmers measure the efficiency and sustainability of their operations.  California Dairy Editor Matthew Malcolm met with James Peterson from John Deere at the World Ag Expo to gain some insights on how the launch of the Milk Sustainability Center will serve the dairy industry. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Dairy Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.

  • New Technologies Featured at World Ag Expo That California Farmers Should Know About

    Boasting over 100,000 attendees from 49 States and 81 countries, the World Ag Expo was another big hit this year.  With  a sea of vendors to navigate across the International Agri-Center grounds in Tulare, it’s hardly feasible for attendees to see it all.  Check out this brief video featuring several companies that Malcolm Media visited with during the event that shared some novel technologies and equipment to support and sustain California farmers needs well into the future.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.

  • Hands-On Support to Help Ag Producers Applying for Renewable Energy Funding

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is inviting grant applications from organizations to provide hands-on assistance to agricultural producers applying for Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding, which will lower energy costs and make energy efficiency improvements in rural areas.

    This assistance is made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act “President Biden and USDA are ensuring farmers, ranchers and small businesses get a fair chance at grants that make energy more affordable,” Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Farah Ahmad said. “We are giving them the know-how and support they need to be a vital part of the clean energy economy. Through these efforts, people in rural areas will be able to lower their energy costs, increase American energy independence and strengthen the resilience of their business operations.”

    Since December 2022, USDA has made up to $1.3 billion available in REAP funding through the Inflation Reduction Act. To support the staff on the ground making this historic effort a success, the Biden Administration worked with USDA Rural Development State Offices to provide them with more flexibility to award new technical assistance grants through the REAP Technical Assistance Grants Program (REAP TAG), hire additional staff support, and bolster their outreach and customer service efforts.

    Today, USDA is making $16 million available through the REAP TAG Program to provide additional support to farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners seeking REAP funds.

    Eligible recipients for these grants include state, Tribal or local governments; colleges and universities; electric cooperatives and utility companies; and for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Recipients may use the funds to:

    • Help rural agricultural producers and small business owners apply for REAP funding.
    • Provide information on how business owners and agricultural producers can improve the energy efficiency of their operations and use renewable energy technologies and resources.
    • Conduct required energy assessments and audits.
    • Help agricultural producers and small business owners with planning construction and development of renewable energy or energy efficiency projects.
    • Assist with the completion of environmental reports and/or documentation required for submittal of applications.

    Applications must be submitted by March 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For additional information and submission details, see page 12815 of the Feb. 20 Federal Register.

    Background

    The Biden-Harris Administration championed the Inflation Reduction Act to help provide new funding and unprecedented incentives to expand clean energy, transform rural power production, create jobs and spur economic growth. It is the largest single investment in rural electrification since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

    Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Administration is delivering on its promise to fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across America.

    It provides funding to USDA Rural Development to help eligible organizations invest in renewable energy infrastructure and zero-emission systems and make energy-efficiency improvements that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    For instance, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants and loans to help farmers and small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families.

    REAP is part of the Justice40 Initiative, which is working to ensure that 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments reach communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.

    The REAP Technical Assistance Grants Program provides funding to organizations that support farmers and small businesses owners applying for federal funds for wind, solar and other renewable energy systems. This program works alongside REAP to create new economic opportunities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make energy more affordable for American families.

    Together, these programs will boost the long-term resiliency, reliability and affordability of renewable energy systems.

    For more information on the Inflation Reduction Act, visit: https://www.rd.usda.gov/inflation-reduction-act.

    To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.

    USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

  • $207 Million Announced for Clean Energy and Domestic Fertilizer Projects to Strengthen American Farms and Businesses

    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are being funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis.

    The announcement was made by Secretary Vilsack at the 105th annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. This funding advances President Biden’s Investing in America and Bidenomics agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle-out and bottom up, create jobs and spur economic growth in rural communities by increasing competition in agricultural markets, lowering costs and expanding clean energy.

    “President Biden and USDA are ensuring farmers, ranchers and small businesses are not only a part of the clean energy economy, but directly benefitting from it,” Secretary Vilsack said. “The investments announced will expand access to renewable energy infrastructure and increase domestic fertilizer production, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money on their energy costs that they can then invest back into their businesses and communities.”

    The Department is awarding $207 million in 42 states for projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP).

    The REAP awards total $157 million for 675 projects in 42 states, including more than $94 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The REAP program delivers on the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. These investments will cut energy costs for farmers and ag producers that can instead be used to create jobs and new revenue streams for people in their communities. For example:

    • In Colorado’s La Plata County, a grant for $187,000 will install a solar array that, through a power purchase agreement, will benefit a wastewater treatment facility. The facility is expected to save $58,000 per year, bringing down costs for residents. It will replace 652,923 kilowatt hours or 98 percent of the plant’s energy use per year, which is enough energy to power 60 homes.
    • A soybean farm in Pennsylvania will install a 1,248 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system that will save $262,000 per year. These funds can be reinvested to grow the business or create more jobs for the local community. It will also save the farm 2,814,000 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough energy to power 259 homes.
    • Sturgis Meats in Meade, South Dakota will install a refrigeration system that will save $32,000 in energy costs per year. It will also save the company 255,000 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough energy to power 23 homes.

    Projects financed through FPEP will help U.S. farmers increase independent, domestic fertilizer production. Today’s investments include $50 million in seven projects in seven states. President Biden committed up to $900 million through the Commodity Credit Corporation for FPEP. Funding supports long-term investments that will strengthen supply chains, create new economic opportunities for American businesses, and support climate-smart innovation. For example:

    • ARE Properties LLC in Nebraska will build a fully automated fertilizer facility designed to manufacture custom products based on the results of plant tissue and soil samples. All equipment in the facility runs on natural gas with the long-range strategy to retrofit the facility for alternative energy sources in the future.
    • Biogas Corporation will purchase and install a new anaerobic digestion facility in Monroe County, North Carolina. This project is expected to create 19 additional positions.  The new state-of-the-art facility will produce 50,000 tons of organic fertilizer and ammonium sulfate annually, all available to farming operations or resellers supporting local producers. Through the unique combustion process, the facility projects to generate 55,000 megawatts of clean energy per year to be purchased and distributed through Duke Energy Carolinas.

    USDA is making the REAP and FPEP awards in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

    Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $166 million in 40 projects nationwide to boost domestic fertilizer production through FPEP. USDA has also taken steps to support producers in leveraging these tools through nutrient management assistance and climate-smart management practices. During that same time, USDA has invested more than $1.6 billion through REAP in 5,457 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations.

    Background

    The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families.

    USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.

    The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) provides grants to independent business owners to help them modernize equipment, adopt new technologies, build production plants and more. Funding helps boost domestic fertilizer production, strengthen competition and lower costs for U.S. farmers.

    The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA created FPEP to combat issues facing American farmers due to rising fertilizer prices, which more than doubled between 2021 and 2022 due to a variety of factors. Factors included the war in Ukraine, a lack of competition in the fertilizer industry, and more.

    FPEP is part of a broader effort to help producers boost production and address global food insecurity. It is also one of many ways the Administration is promoting fair competition, innovation and resiliency across food and agriculture while combating the climate crisis.

  • USDA Now Accepting Applications for Farm Loans Online

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan. This tool is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, improve customer service, and expand credit access.

    “The Biden Administration is working hard to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to get the loans they need to keep growing food, fiber, and fuel for our country,” said Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “Online services are commonplace in commercial lending, and with USDA Farm Service Agency’s new online loan application feature, it is now easier for producers to get the financing they need to start, expand, or maintain their farming and ranching operations.”

    The online farm loan application replicates the support an applicant would receive when completing a loan application in person with an FSA Farm Loan Officer, while continuing to provide customers with one-on-one assistance as needed.  This tool and other process improvements allow farmers and ranchers to submit complete loan applications and reduce the number of incomplete and withdrawn applications.

    Through a personalized dashboard, borrowers can track the progress of their loan application. It can be accessed on farmers.gov or by completing FSA’s Loan Assistance Tool at farmers.gov/loan-assistance-tool. To use the online loan application tool, producers must establish a USDA customer account and a USDA Level 2 eAuthentication (“eAuth”) account or a Login.gov account. For the initial stage, the online application tool is only available for producers who will be, or are currently, operating their farm as an individual. FSA is expanding the tools availability to married couples applying jointly and other legal entities in 2024.

    Farm Loan Improvement Efforts

    FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate Farm Loan Program customer-facing business processes. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a Direct Loan application to FSA annually, and its 85,000 Direct Loan borrowers, FSA has made improvements this year, including:

    More Information

    FSA continues to accept and review individual requests for assistance from qualifying borrowers who took certain extraordinary measures to avoid delinquency on their direct FSA loans or those who were unable to make a recent installment or are unable to make their next scheduled installment for installments through January 15, 2024. All requests for assistance must be received by Dec. 31, 2023. For more information, or to submit a request for assistance, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance.

    The Inflation Reduction Act, a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for agricultural communities, provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain FSA direct and guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. Since October 2022, USDA has provided approximately $1.6 billion in assistance to more than 27,000 distressed direct and guaranteed FSA loan borrowers.