For Immediate Release
Contact: Whitney Phillips 202-604-6794

HERSETH SANDLIN AND SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCE LOANS AND GRANTS TO FUND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS FOR SOUTH DAKOTA AG PRODUCERS

18 Projects Help South Dakota Farmers and Rural Businesses Become More Energy Efficient

Sioux Falls, SD (October 30, 2010) - Today, U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin was joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in Sioux Falls, SD for a panel discussion on biofuels. During the event, 18 renewable energy and energy efficiency loans and grants for South Dakota were announced as a part of the USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The funding also includes support to help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. Secretary Vilsack and Herseth Sandlin announced more than $1.4 million in loans and grants for the 18 recipients. 

"I am pleased to see this program, which we first included in the 2008 Farm bill, being implemented and benefiting South Dakota. Our farmers and family businesses are able to invest now and save money and energy in the future," said Herseth Sandlin. 

Many rural businesses and farmers in South Dakota have benefited from the REAP program during the past few years. REAP funding can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. More information on the REAP program, which was authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, is at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei.html. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant or loan agreement. Listed below is a complete list of South Dakota REAP recipients announced today.   

   *         Mark E. Jensen, Badger - $25,740 loan; $25,740 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Doug Sorenson, Madison-$20,000 grant for grain dryer replacement
   *         Matthew Johnson, Webster - $208,000 loan; $202, 480 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Gordie Hofer, Frankfort -$19,980 grant for grain dryer replacement
   *         John Mousel, Colman - $20,000 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Craig Rau, Java - $17,340 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Plankinton Elevator Co., LLC, Plankinton - $209, 200 loan; $104,600 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Wayne Smith, Flandreau - $9,739 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Matthew Abraham, Hazel - $13,480 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Jim Dick, Marion - $17, 954 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Bruce Haase, Parker -$19,923 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Thompson Farms, Inc.,  Groton -$47,688 loan and $23,840 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         East River Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., Madison -$100,000 grant to do energy audits and provide renewable energy development  technical assistance 
   *         Minor Enterprises, Inc., Rutland - $37,728 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         David Terveen, Emery-$75,679 loan; $37,838 grant for grain dryer replacement 
   *         Dale Zweep, Garretson -$20,000 grant for grain dryer replacement
   *         Scott Hyronimus, Worthing-$20,000 grant for grain dryer replacement
   *         Shawn Gengerke, Groton -$210,020 grant for grain dryer replacement 

Through its Rural Development mission area, USDA administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 employees located in the nation's capital and nearly 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural  communities, businesses, residents, farmers, and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees. 

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