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Growers News
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TAFVGA 2012 Winter Conference: Feb. 7
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Rural Energy for America Program 2012
From Joe Perlaky.
This message comes to us from Randy Monhemius, business program specialist regarding this year's REAP grant and loan guarantee program.
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On January 20, 2012, the Rural Business--Cooperative Service invited agricultural producers and rural small businesses to apply for grants and loan guarantees through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The Rural Energy for America program is design to assist applicants install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Parties interested in applying for the REAP grant only or REAP grant and loan guarantee in combination must submit their complete application to the Ohio Rural Development State Office. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on March 30, 2012. Parties interested in applying for a loan guarantee only must submit their complete application to the Ohio Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 29, 2012.
Renewable energy systems can include solar electric, solar thermal, wind, geothermal, biomass, blender pumps and anaerobic digestion systems. Energy efficiency improvement systems can include lighting improvements, insulation, electric motor replacements and other energy efficiency improvement projects as outlined in an energy audit. Grants are available on a competitive basis for up to twenty-five percent of the eligible project costs. Loan guarantees are also available for up to seventy-five percent of the eligible project costs. Combination grant and loan guarantee applications cannot exceed seventy-five percent of eligible project costs.
Nationally, funding available in Fiscal year 2012 will be used to support REAP grants totaling $12,500,000 and loan guarantees totaling $48,500,000. The funds available for Fiscal Year 2012 are reduced substantially from previous years resulting in increased competition for the limited funding available.
As in previous years, increased emphasis is being placed on projects which are requesting less than $20,000. Congress has authorized a specific budget allocation to fund these smaller projects which provide energy efficiencies or can produce renewable energy for the applicant.
Additional emphasis is being placed upon loan guarantees. The loan guarantee program can be a great benefit to a lender looking to reduce their risk exposure while increasing their income and for a borrower to access capital on better rates and terms resulting in an improved cash flow and a successful business.
If you are interested in pursuing a grant or loan guarantee for the Rural Energy for America Program, please submit a complete application to the address listed below at your earliest opportunity. The following individuals can assist in answering questions and providing application documents regarding this program.
Cindy Musshel, Business Program Assistant
614-255-2427
Cindy.musshel@oh.usda.gov
Christie Hooks, Business Program Specialist
614-255-2397
Christie.hooks@oh.usda.gov
Randy Monhemius, Business Program Specialist
614-255-2424
Randy.Monhemius@oh.usda.gov
USDA, Rural Development
State Office
200 North High Street, Room 507
Columbus, OH 43215
Fax 614-255-2562
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov
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Next Food Council Meeting and Farm Bill Info
From Joe Perlaky.
This message comes to us from Paula Ross, UT Urban Affairs Center.
Dear Colleagues,
Thanks to Polly Peterson with assistance from Matt Ross, we now have a location for our
next Food Council meeting. As a reminder and a request to save the date, here are a few details:
Emerging Food Council Meeting
Theme: Hearing from those who grow food
Tuesday February 28th, 5:30 PM
Audio Visual Classroom Center (AVCC) 125/126
Owens Community College (see attached map, building 17)
(More information will be provided prior to the meeting)
As hearings begin and discussions continue on the Farm Bill, the information provided here,
which is extensive if not comprehensive, may be of interest to those who are struggling to understand this massive and far-reaching legislation.
Hoping that the New Year has begun well for all of you,
Paula
Paula Ross
Research Associate
University of Toledo Urban Affairs Center
419.530.3595 office
419.466.4396 cell
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TOM STRAIN and SONS Needs Seasonal Greenhouse Help
From Tom Strain & Sons Greenhouse.
Tom Strain & Sons is looking for a seasonal laborer,
watering, fertilizing, care of potted material. Apply in person at:
TOM STRAIN and SONS
5105 Hill Ave
Toledo, Ohio
Mon-Fri 9-4
NO PHONE CALLS
Seasonal greenhouse work available, some experience would be helpful
in taking care of hanging baskets, potted material, annuals,
watering and fertilizing. FEB-JUNE. Long hours during peak season.
Summer hours available if interested. Send resume to:
P.O. Box 351433, Toledo, Ohio 43635.
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Save the Dates: MVGA Calendar Meetings [Updated 1-5-12]
From Joe Perlaky.
Mark your calendars — 2012 Regular/Board Meeting Schedule
Beginning in 2012, MVGA will alternate their Regular and Board meeting dates.
Both meeting dates will be on the 2nd Thursday of the month at TBG, however the times are different
so please make a note of it (see below).
– Jan [no Regular Meeting]
– Feb Board meeting 2nd. Thursday of Month, TBG at 9:30 am
– Mar Regular Meeting 2nd. Thursday of Month, TBG at 8 am.
– Apr Board meeting 2nd. Thursday of Month, TBG at 9:30 am
– May [no Regular Meeting]
– Jun Board meeting 2nd. Thursday of Month, TBG at 9:30 am
– Jul Regular Meeting 2nd. Thursday of Month, TBG at 8 am.
– Aug Board meeting 2nd. Thursday of Month, TBG at 9:30 am
– Sep Regular Meeting 2nd. Thursday of Month, TBG at 8 am.
– Oct Board meeting 2nd. Thursday of Month, TBG at 9:30 am
– Nov Annual Meeting TBD, shared with TAFVGA
– Dec Board meeting 2nd. Thursday of Month, TBG at 8 am.
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Ohio Dept. of Development Launches New Energy Loan Fund
From Joe Perlaky.
MVGA members--thinking of investing in any of the following?
Eligible Projects:
Generally, the loan program will target energy efficiency retrofits of
existing buildings, but may be used to finance cost efficient and
effective distributed energy generation systems.
-- Computer aided modeling of green buildings
-- Insulation
-- Installation of light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
-- Energy efficient lighting technologies, including day-lighting
techniques
-- Energy management demand control systems and occupancy sensors
-- Heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades
-- Installation of high-efficiency boilers
-- Weather sealing
-- Purchase and installation of permanently fixed ENERGY STAR appliances,
replacement of windows, and doors.
If interested, give me a call and we'll get started.
Joe Perlaky
Maumee Valley Growers Association
419-356-4847
perlaky@bex.net
www.maumeevalleygrowers.com
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OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Energy recently announced
the launch of the Energy Loan Fund program to provide low-cost financing
to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The program will
utilize more than $7 million in state funding through the Advanced Energy
Fund, as well as federal funds through the State Energy Program.
The program is targeting manufacturers, public entities and small businesses.
To qualify, projects must, among other things, reduce energy consumption,
improve environmental quality, and create or retain jobs. Key highlights of
the new Energy Loan Fund include:
-- All proposed projects must be installed in Ohio, and the applicant must
be the property owner or hold a long-term secured lease agreement with the
property owner;
-- Projects should demonstrate at least 15 percent energy use reduction
from existing conditions;
-- Expenses incurred prior to the effective date of the loan agreement
are not eligible for reimbursement under any program; Program funds will
be disbursed as loans at or below market rates of interest;
-- Priority will be given to projects that have short energy savings
payback periods of one to four years;
-- Applicants must submit a pre-application for review and evaluation to
determine eligibility pursuant to state and federal programs;
-- For applications selected by the Energy Office for financial assistance
through the federal State Energy Program, application fees of $500 for
public entities and $1,500 for private entities will apply.
The long-awaited new program is a successor to a grant program funded
through the state Advanced Energy Fund that expired at the end of 2010.
Projects will be awarded until funds are exhausted, or at the Energy
Office's discretion. The Energy Loan Fund Program Guidelines and application
are available on the Energy Office's website.
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MVG Hires Consultant
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Board of Director's Message
October 13, 2011
Greetings from the newly elected Board of Directors of MVG.
We are very excited about the upcoming new year. Today at our Board meeting we
elected the following new officers:
± Tom Wardell - President
± Jeff Creque - Vice President
± Mike Schenk - Secretary
± Wade Smith - Treasurer
This year marks the first year we are without the support of the grant.
We are all looking forward to this challenge and have been preparing for its
inevitability for the past few years by developing several cash generating programs.
First on our agenda is to address new Committee Chairs and members.
As a bottom up organization we understand the need to promote all members
within the association. Because of this, we are encouraging all individuals
interested in participating in any of the committees listed below to share
their expertise and experience:
± Business: Develop our energy, insurance, recycling and other
programs
± Bylaws: Review, make recommendations and implement changes as
needed
± Education & Outreach/Research: Promote consumer education
and grower research programs
± Finance: Provide guidance on budget and any other financial
matters
± Government/Public Relations: Review industry regulations and
meet with elected officials.
± Membership: Provide long-term organizational membership growth
and sustainability
± Marketing: Implement branding/advertising programs beneficial to
member participants
If you would like to get involved on some level, please let us know ASAP
by calling Joe Perlaky at 419-356-4847 or emailing him at perlaky@bex.net.
Your input is important to our organization. Be a part of MVGA and make a real difference this year.
Sincerely,
Tom Wardell
President, Maumee Valley Growers Association
[Click here for older growers news items]
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Join the MVGA
» MVG Growers: click here to indicate your interest in joining MVGA «
Would You Like to Lower Your Natural Gas Costs?
MVG members can join a program to help reduce their energy costs: the MVGA Natural Gas Program.
Click here to find out more about this program.
Growers Online Links & Resources
Check the following links to online resources for greenhouse growers:
Maumee Valley Growers Economic Cluster Project
The purpose of this research project is to assess the competitive challenges facing northwest Ohio's greenhouse nursery industry.
Click here to go to the Maumee Valley Growers economic cluster research web site.
MVGA Meeting Minutes
Click here to view meeting agendas and minutes for the Maumee Valley Growers.
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MVG Greenhouse Project Grant Staff
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