HomeAbout[ A to Z Index ]

AEEP Renewable Energy Case Histories

Contact: Gerard Kennedy, Director - Gerard.Kennedy@state.ma.us – 617.626.1773

The Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) provides funding to agricultural operations in Massachusetts for the mitigation and/or prevention of impacts on natural resources that may result from agricultural practices. The AEEP funds practices that prevent impacts on water quality, and promote energy efficiency, water conservation, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers selected to participate are reimbursed for the approved costs of materials up to $30,000. A minimum of a 5% match is required. Most awards are in the $10,000 to $15,000 range.

Caretaker Farms, Williamstown, MA - photovoltaic/Solar Panel
Caretaker Farm has been operating as an organic vegetable farm for over 35 years. The 35-acre family farm has 16-24 acres in pasture and 7 acres in planned stages of vegetable production, with 3.5 A planted and the remainder at rest or in rotation. Caretaker Farms grows over 200 varieties of 40 different crops each season. The 35 acres of land are a woven fabric of cropland, pastures, ponds, woodland, a stream, and agricultural buildings.

"We found it easy to work with both funding sources. MDAR staff were always helpful and responsive to our questions and requests. Caretaker Farm had prior experience working with the MDAR on a compost pad project, so we were familiar with the AEEP's administrative process. The MA Technology Collaborative answered any questions we had and processed our rebate application without delay." - Don Zasada & Bridget Spann

Volante Farm, Needham, MA - Energy Efficient Furnaces
In operation since 1917, Volante Farms is a 55 acre farm which offers a wide assortment of plants, fruits, vegetables as well as fertilizers and potting soils. Volante Farms subscribes to the IPM Program through the UMass Extension program and is a strong advocate of sustainable agriculture.

“The grant from the AEEP program significantly helped us make our agricultural operation more cost effective and energy efficient…it is a program which is very beneficial and helpful to us in the agricultural business”. - Dave Volante

read more..

Lakeview Nurseries, Lunenburg, MA - Photovolteic/Solar Panels

Lakeview Nurseries is a garden center, nursery, and landscaping company serving northern central MA since 1954 in Lunenburg, and since 2004 in Winchendon. As a third generation retail nursery, Lakeview has evolved into one of the largest and most complete nurseries in the northern central MA area. In addition to the installation of solar panels, Lakeview lessens their impact on the surrounding environment by composting onsite and producing their perennials in biodegradable pots. Another environmental conservation initiative includes working with their largest nursery stock vendor to return and to recycle all of their nursery pots

“The AEEP grant is a great big step in helping agricultural business use our natural resources in a more environmentally friendly way. Applying for the AEEP grant was the easiest part of installing solar power at our greenhouses. The staff at MDAR has made the grant process very straight forward. The application was written in plain language that even I could figure out. The people at MDAR were very responsive to any questions I had about the application, use of funds, procedures and disbursement of the funds. I had the grant funds for the projects just a few short weeks after the completion of the installation”. - Richard Bursch

read more...