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

<timothy.jones@ny.usda.gov>

**USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS MORE THAN \$1.6 MILLION TO 15**

**NEW YORK RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS**

SYRACUSE, N.Y., August 27, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture
announced today that 15 New York individuals and businesses will receive
more than \$1.6 million in grants for renewable energy and energy
efficiency systems.

The New York projects are part of a national renewable energy and energy
efficiency funding package that was announced in Washington, D.C. this
morning by Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. More than 600 projects in
46 states and the Virgin Islands received awards.

"Our renewable energy program is an extremely competitive national
program and I congratulate all of 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 help farmers and rural businesses improve operations
and save money and USDA Rural Development is committed to promoting and
assisting in its development."

New York recipients by location and award amount are listed below. A
short description of each project is included.

-   Greenwood Dairy Farm LLC, Canton, St. Lawrence County, \$433,564 for
    an anaerobic digester to generate renewable electricity.

-   Thomas Roach, Scipio Center, Cayuga County, \$432,313 for an
    anaerobic digester to generate renewable electricity for a dairy
    farm.

-   Zuber Farms LLC, Byron, Genesee County, \$413,058 for an anaerobic
    digester to generate renewable electricity on a dairy farm.

-   Douglas Ackerman, Cohecton, Sullivan County, \$47,498 for a
    25-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable
    electricity for a dairy farm.

-   Stefen R. Gieger, Jeffersonville, Sullivan County, \$47,498 for a
    25-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable
    electricity for a dairy farm.

-   Wilfred R. Hughson, Jeffersonville, Sullivan County, \$47,498 for a
    25-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable
    electricity for a dairy farm.

-   Robert Kays, Callicoon, Sullivan County, \$47,498 for a 25-kilowatt
    solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable electricity for a
    dairy farm.

\--more\--

-   Ronnybrook Farm Dairy, Inc., Ancramdale, Columbia County, \$30,861
    for a solar water heating system to preheat water for processing
    milk.

-   F. Russell "Skip" Veeder, Earlton, Greene County, \$23,037 for a
    20-kilowatt wind turbine to generate renewable electricity on a
    Christmas tree farm.

-   Karen G. Hess, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, \$22,563 for a
    10-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate on--farm renewable
    electricity.

-   William V. Diehl, Callicoon, Sullivan County, \$20,044 for a
    10-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable
    electricity for a beef operation.

-   Joseph H. Horak, Livingston Manor, Sullivan County, \$16,422 for a
    6.48 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on a beef farm.

-   Mark Adams Greenhouses, Inc., Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, \$8,854
    for a thermal curtain to reduce heat loss.

-   Orbaker's Fruit Farm, Inc., Williamson, Wayne County, \$5,910 to
    install improved insulation in an apple-packing building.

-   Owen Raymond, Ithaca, Tompkins County, \$2,875 to purchase a reverse
    osmosis system for maple syrup operation, reducing the amount of
    heating oil needed in the process.

The funding for these projects was made available through the Section
9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements
program, which provides financial assistance to agricultural producers
and rural small businesses to support renewable energy projects such as
biomass (including anaerobic digesters), geothermal, hydrogen, solar and
wind energy. The program also supports energy efficiency improvements,
helping recipients reduce energy consumption. The program is competitive
and recipients are required to provide matching funds to qualify.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and
improve the quality of life for rural residents. In fiscal year 2007,
USDA Rural Development invested more than \$262 million in New York,
raising its total investment in the state to more than \$1.5 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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