When we think of a resilient regional food system, we also think of the energy used to grow that food. There’s some solid thinking around farms producing their own energy, and this upcoming farm tour will model some of those practices already in action:
New England farms, with their open land and traditional commitment to good stewardship of natural resources, are uniquely positioned for alternative energy generation. As part of its two-year Farm Energy Project, Southern NH Resource Conservation & Development has joined forces with Rockingham County Conservation District to sponsor an energy tour of Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury, MA Tuesday, October 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
The tour is free and open to agricultural operators interested in generating energy on their farms; conservation-minded land owners and users and anyone interested in learning more about local alternatives to petroleum-based energy sources. Cider Hill is a diverse 145-acre family farm committed to renewable energy. The tour will include the three on-site 10-kW wind turbines, three outdoor wood boilers and over 300 solar panels used to heat and power farm buildings and greenhouses and save on energy costs.
This project is funded by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund (GHGERF), a program initiated in February 2009 to fund projects throughout New Hampshire to lower greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. The GHGERF fund consists of proceeds from the auction of carbon allowances through New Hampshire’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), an effort by 10 Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from the electric power sector.
If you would like to attend this tour, please contact Anne Bowes at So. NH RC&D, 10 Ferry Street Suite 422, Concord, NH 03301 at 603-223-0083 or southernnhrcd@gmail.com. You can visit their website at www.nhrdc.net. Pre-registration is recommended.
via gimmethekife