Sustainable Farm Energy
Improving Sustainable Farm Energy in NY
Education centered around energy efficiency and renewable energy is an important component of farm sustainability, as often simple and inexpensive measures can save farmers money while improving air quality and reducing the environmental footprint of the farm.
From 2011 – 2014, the Northeast SARE state program in New York offered year-round sustainable farm energy programs for both educators and farmers. View the excellent resources from this project below.
2014 Webinar Series Archive: Sustainable Farm Energy Virtual Tours
This Spring, 2014 webinar series consisted of 1 hour lunchtime webinars and virtual tours of farms with sustainable energy designs.
- Held April 4th, 2014. Organic Vegetable Farm Cools with the Earth: Warms with the Sun, with Jay Armour of Four Winds Farm in Gardiner, NY. Description | PDF Slideshow | Stream Recording
- Held April 11th: Family Vineyard Shrinks Carbon Footprint by 40% with Art Hunt of Hunt Country Vineyards in Branchport, NY. Description | PDF Slideshow | Stream Recording
- Held April 18th: Sunflowers & Canola to Fuel: Dairy Becomes Biodiesel Production Facility with Roger Rainville of Borderview Farm, Alburgh, Vermont. Description | PDF Slideshow | Stream Recording
- Held April 25th: Thirsty Livestock? Use Sun or Wind to Power a Remote Watering System with Jonathan Barter of Barter Farm, Branchport NY. Description | PDF Slideshow | Stream Recording
2013 Webinar Series Archive: Sustainable Power for Your Farm or Homestead Webinar Series
This Spring 2013 webinar series consisted of 1 hour lunchtime webinars and virtual tours of farms with sustainable energy designs.
- Held March 29, 2013. Dreaming of Local Lemons – Solar Energy Virtual Tour. Noon – 12:45pm. Description | PDF Slideshow | Stream Webinar
- Held April 5: Powering Your Farm Off the Grid – Virtual Tour. Noon – 1pm. Description | PDF Slide Show | Stream Webinar
- Held April 12: Compost Power! Noon – 12:45pm. Description | PDF Slide Show | Stream Webinar
Farm Energy Field Day Series: 2013 and 2012 Series Information Archive
2012 Field Day Series offered “How-to” information on incorporating solar panels, wind turbines, radiant heat, passive solar and ecological stewardship practices into your farm or homestead. To read about the Fall 2013 field days, click here. To read about the Fall 2012 field days, click here.
Learn more about sustainable energy resources here.
About Northeast SARE
The NY SARE State program on Sustainable Farm Energy is funded through Northeast SARE. SARE offers competitive grants to projects that explore and address key issues affecting the sustainability and future economic viability of agriculture. The NY SARE coordinators are available to offer information and presentations on SARE funding opportunities. Learn more about Northeast SARE by visiting www.nesare.org
Project Goal
The annual goal of this 3 year project was to document 10 farms that have completed energy assessments; 8 farms that have upgraded old equipment to higher efficiency standards; and 3 farms that have installed renewable energy. To read the final report, click here.
NY SARE State Coordinators
The NY SARE State Program is led by State Coordinator Violet Stone (vws7@cornell.edu). To read about our current program, visit https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/projects/wholesale/
Sustainable Farm Energy Advisory Committee
Violet Stone, SARE project coordinator, vws7@cornell.edu
David Cox, CCE Schoharie County, dgc23@cornell.edu
Aaron Gabriel, CCE Washington County, adg12@cornell.edu
Kenneth Smith, CCE Chenango County, kas294@cornell.edu
Nicole Spinelli, Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District, nicoles@suffolkcountyny.gov
Dan Welch, CCE Cayuga County, dlw56@cornell.edu
Mary Wrege, CCE Oneida County, mpw57@cornell.edu
Melissa Young, Environmental Finance Center/EPA, myoung@syracusecoe.org
Richard Gast, CCE Franklin County, rlg24@cornell.edu
Gary Carrel, WNY Energy Smart Communities Coordinator, gcc55@cornell.edu
Sharon N. Bachman, CCE of Erie County, sin2@cornell.edu
NY Small Farm Energy Innovators
Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Ideas to Promote Steward and Savings on Your Farm
As a farmer, chances are you know how to produce food and fiber. But do you know how to produce energy? “Small Farm Energy Innovators” booklet describes how farmers save energy and decide which renewable systems are right for their farm. Profiles detail the cost of installation, any grants or incentives available, amount of energy saved or produced, and where to go for further information. Download in WORD
