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Contact: Jay Fletcher (202) 690-0498

**USDA AWARDS \$1.52 MILLION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY**

**AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS**

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2008 --- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner
announced today that 20 individuals and businesses in six states have
been selected to receive \$1.52 million in loans and grants for
renewable energy systems or to increase energy efficiency in farm and
business operations. The funds are being provided under USDA Rural
Development's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency program.

"This funding is part of USDA's ongoing effort to help farmers and
businesses invest in technology that will improve their efficiency and
their bottom line," Conner said. "Investments such as these help
conserve energy as well as help small businesses."

The funding announced today will support a variety of energy-production
and energy-saving efforts. For example, Wayne K. Knutson of Toronto,
South Dakota has been selected to receive a \$12,450 guaranteed loan and
a \$12,415 grant to replace an old grain dryer with a new, high
efficiency model that is expected to reduce energy costs; and Anthony G.
Folk of Corona, South Dakota, has been selected to receive a \$8,593
guaranteed loan and a \$8,593 grant to replace the irrigation pump that
will assist in making the farm's operations more energy efficient.

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the
conditions of the award agreement. A complete list of the selected
projects is below.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency loan and grant program was
established under Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill to encourage
agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable
energy systems and energy efficient improvements. The program's funding
can support a wide range of technologies encompassing biomass (including
anaerobic digesters), geothermal, hydrogen, solar, and wind energy, as
well as energy efficiency improvements.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and
improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has
invested more than \$90 billion since 2001 for equity and technical
assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business
development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More
than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these
investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a
local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at
[http://www.rurdev.usda.gov](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/).

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The following organizations have been selected to receive Section 9006
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency loans and grants.

  -------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ -------------
  **Recipient**                          **State**   **Grant      **Loan
                                                     Amount**     Amount**

  Boehnke, Paul C.                       IA          \$12,500     \$12,500

  Schmidt Jr., Max S.                    IA          \$49,999     \$49,999

  Wilson Agri Inc.                       IA          \$49,979     \$49,979

  Vaughn, Steven M.                      IA          \$19,111     \$19,111

  Zuercher, Nicholas H.                  IA          \$25,160     \$25,160

  Swingen, Douglas Clair                 IA          \$28,322     \$28,322

  Dierickx, Joseph L.                    IA          \$17,675     \$17,675

  Kuennen, James                         IA          \$10,387     \$10,388

  Carson Farms LLC                       IA          \$142,306    \$142,306

  JRT Focus Farms Ltd.                   IA          \$37,266     \$37,267

  Moeckly Farms                          IA          \$20,272     \$20,272

  Walter, James                          IL          \$49,910     \$49,910

  Heser, Robert J.                       IL          \$106,221    \$106,221

  Sease, Rod                             OH          \$26,231     \$26,231

  Jordan Farms                           OH          \$38,008     \$38,008

  WGF LLC                                OR          \$38,634     \$38,000

  Knutson, Wayne K.                      SD          \$12,415     \$12,450

  Folk, Anthony G.                       SD          \$8,593      \$8,593

  Kuchta, Tom                            WI          \$49,998     \$49,999

  Faldet Farms Inc.                      WI          \$17,317     \$17,317
  -------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ -------------