Free program on energy efficiency and renewable energy for farms

Implementing farm energy-efficiency measures can be an easy way to help your bottom line and serve as an entry point to the sustainability conversation for your farm.

Learn to take control of your energy costs, save money with an energy audit, success stories, and how it pays to upgrade your equipment at the Technology in Agriculture – Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy program on Dec. 9.

Chad Martin, Purdue University Department of Ag and Biological Engineering, will be on hand discussing how to conduct an energy audit and ways that you can make your farming operation more energy efficient. Learn about the concept of net metering from industry representatives from Hendricks Power Cooperative and Parke County REMC.

Mark Beckman with the USDA Rural Development office will be discussing the various cost-share programs available to producers looking to switch to renewable energy.

The program will be held at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds (1900 E. Main St., Danville). The Technology in Agriculture program will start promptly at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided by Equipment Technologies, Hendricks Power Cooperative, Home Bank and Parke County REMC.

To assist in planning for lunch, register by Dec. 2 at 317-745-9260 or hendrces@purdue.edu Please list any dietary restrictions when registering. If you need any special accommodations to participate in the program, contact 317-745-9260 prior to the event. The program is sponsored by Purdue Extension in Hendricks, Morgan and Putnam counties.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 24-25 -- Office closed, Thanksgiving holiday.

Nov. 28 – Simplifying Your Life webinar, 12-1 p.m., register at ag.purdue.edu/Extension/wia/Pages/webinars.aspx.

Dec. 5 -- Putnam County PARP, Fairgrounds, 1-4 p.m., $10 for certification.

Dec. 8 – Sheep and goat webinar, Extension Office, 7-9 p.m. Register at 653-8411.

Dec. 9 -- Technology in Ag, Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Register by Dec. 2 at 317-745-9260.

Dec. 13 – Post Harvest Outlook, Owen County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.-noon.

Dec. 15 – Area Indiana Beef Cattle Association meeting, Owen County Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m. Register at 812-829-5020.