Vermont Farms: $300K Grant for Fossil Fuel Reduction

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation says it has received a $300,000 grant to help farm and forest businesses cut energy costs and reduce fossil fuel use.

The grant, from the U.S. Forest Service, will offset the costs of installing advanced wood heating systems in working lands enterprises, according to an announcement.

Funding is available immediately on a first-come, first-served basis. Up to 50% of project costs will be reimbursed, with a maximum award of $25,000 per project.

“These grants are a great opportunity for farm and forest businesses to reduce their use of fossil fuels and strengthen the Vermont working lands economy,” said Katharine Servidio, forest economy program manager.

The wood heating systems offer a reliable and renewable alternative to fossil fuels, while also supporting Vermont’s forest economy and the state’s 2022 Comprehensive Energy Plan goal of sourcing 35% of thermal energy needs from wood by 2030, according to the announcement.

Eligible projects include heating for greenhouses, sugarhouses, dairy barns, logging shops and manufacturing facilities. In addition to providing space heat, advanced wood heating systems can also supply heat for industrial operations, such as curing wood, and can be part of combined heat and power systems.