USDA Rural Development released fiscal year 2005 funding for renewable energy proposals and efficiency improvements, as authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill. A program total of $22.8 million has been made available, $11.4 million of which is immediately accessible as grants on a competitive basis. The remaining half is reserved for guaranteed loans until Aug. 31. After Aug. 31, unused money from the guaranteed loan amount will be rolled into the competitive grant fund. Grants are limited to 25 percent of project costs for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. For details, visit
www.rurdev.usda.gov/farmbill