Representatives from EnSave, Inc. spent several days in October traversing the state of Tennessee as a guest of the Tennessee Poultry Association. President Craig Metz and Program Development Specialist Lauren Chase drove 1,000 miles in 3 days in order to meet with hundreds of poultry growers. The topic: making poultry houses more energy efficient and saving growers money.
When Tennessee Poultry Association Executive Director Dale Barnett heard that EnSave could help identify 10-35% energy savings for his members, his ears perked up. “Every grower is looking to save money, and so when I learned that there is USDA money available for energy audits AND implementation, I knew it sounded like something our members would want to hear about,” says Barnett.
So far, his members agree. Keith Chamberlain of Ocoee, TN received an Agricultural Energy Management Plan, commonly called a farm energy audit, from EnSave in 2011. The plan, which was paid for largely with USDA funds, identified several opportunities that could save him over $10,000 per year. “We can’t make money if we have to keep paying these energy prices,” says Keith, which is why he has applied for additional USDA funding to implement his projects.
Fortunately, Tennessee poultry growers have heard the importance of energy efficiency loud and clear, which is why EnSave has generated over 60 audits in the state in the past two years alone. “We have enjoyed our trip and the chance to meet so many of the growers we’ve worked with over the years,” said Craig Metz. “These producers are hard working men and women and it has been our pleasure to talk with them about ways to reduce operating costs and get financial assistance to help them do so.”
EnSave encourages other farmers to sign up for an Agricultural Energy Management Plan by calling them at (800) 732-1399, or signing up at their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office. Deadlines for applications are coming up soon, so producers should act fast in order to secure their best chance of receiving an energy audit this year.
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About EnSave Inc. - EnSave is the leading agricultural energy efficiency consulting firm in the United States. We help our clients achieve their energy efficiency goals while also helping farmers save energy and reduce their environmental impact. The inspiration for our work is the hard working men and women on the farm, and we strive to provide solutions that strengthen the farm and provide long-term viability.
Our passion is helping American agriculture become more sustainable and profitable through energy efficiency and resource conservation.
Our passion is helping American agriculture become more sustainable and profitable through energy efficiency and resource conservation.
