• PLYMOUTH, N.C., Aug. 15, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for 631 projects across the nation - including 9 in South Dakota - that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, use renewable energy technologies in their operations and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. Grant and loan funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.
• With today's announcement, USDA is making investments of more than $21 million in energy projects nationwide . Despite budget uncertainties, USDA remains focused on strengthening the rural economy.
• "As part of the Obama Administration's 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy, USDA continues to work with America's farmers, ranchers and rural businesses to help them save energy and improve their bottom line," Vilsack said. "This program and others like it would not be available without a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill, and

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