FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Tim Jones (315) 477-6436

timothy.jones@ny.usda.gov

**USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS MORE THAN \$628,000 IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
FUNDING TO SEVEN NEW YORK FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES**

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Sept. 20, 2007 **--** The U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Development agency has awarded \$628,213 to seven New York farms
and rural small businesses for renewable energy and energy efficiency
projects.

The awards were announced today by Under Secretary for Rural Development
Thomas C. Dorr as part of an \$8.5 million national renewable energy and
energy efficiency funding package. More than 340 projects in 36 states
received funding.

"This is a very competitive program and I applaud our New York
recipients on their success," said Patrick H. Brennan, State Director
for USDA Rural Development in New York. "Renewable energy and
complementary energy efficiency systems have the potential to rejuvenate
our rural economies and USDA Rural Development is committed to promoting
and assisting its development."

The New York recipients are:

-   Columbia Falls, Inc., \$49,608, Chatham, Columbia County. A 25
    kilowatt solar photovoltaic system will be installed in a restaurant
    and food processing center. The system will generate approximately
    90 percent of the electricity used by the center.

-   CadNor Ltd, \$48,300, Rossie, St. Lawrence County. The grant will be
    used to install a 20 kW solar photovoltaic system. The system will
    generate 34,000 kW a year, providing nearly all of the music
    publishing company's annual electrical needs.

-   Mary Dolan, \$3,250, Otego, Ostego County. Funds will be used to
    purchase equipment to make renewable biodiesel from grain grown on
    Dolan's organic farm. The farm-raised fuel will replace the 1,700
    gallons of petroleum diesel currently used.

-   Paul D. Arnold, \$22,363, Argyle, Washington County. A 9.8 kW solar
    photovoltaic system will be installed, providing more than half the
    electricity used on Arnold's small, fresh-market farm.

-   Walker Farms LLC, \$310,148, Ft. Ann, Washington County. Funds will
    be used to construct an anaerobic digester. The digester will
    produce biogas, which will generate nearly 1.3 million kW/hours of
    electricity. Surplus electricity will be sold.

-   Verstandig's Florist, Inc., \$33,000, Delmar, Albany County. The
    grant will be used to install high-efficiency propane heaters and a
    radiant heating system in four greenhouses. The completed system
    will reduce energy use by nearly 50 percent.

-   Patterson Farms, Inc. \$80,772 grant and \$80,772 loan guarantee,
    Auburn, Cayuga County. Funds will be used to install irrigation
    pipe to pump digested, deodorized liquid manure to crops. The system
    replaces ground transportation, dramatically reducing the farm's
    diesel fuel use and soil compaction.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and
improve the quality of life for rural residents. In fiscal year 2006,
USDA Rural Development invested \$258 million in New York, raising its
total investment in the state to more than \$1.2 billion since 2001.
Further information on rural programs is available by contacting the
State Office at (315) 477-6400 or by visiting USDA\'s web site at
<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ny>.

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