SD Ag Energy Committee:
On January 11, 2007, a planning team consisting of representatives of The Governor’s Office of Economic Development, SD Department of Agriculture, SD Association of Conservation Districts, SD Rural Development Agency, and The North Central, Randall, and Lower James Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils met to discuss the energy related needs of agriculture in South Dakota.
The group agreed to:
• Expand to form an Agricultural Energy Committee sponsored by the SD RC&D Association.
SD Agricultural Energy Committee Purpose:
The committee will focus on farm energy information and education activities (efficiency and renewable) to assist agricultural producers save energy or produce energy resulting in increased farm income and rural development.
SD Ag Energy Committee Action Plan: June 27th, 2008.
• Work with existing groups and new local partners to complete local workshops (one-day) across South Dakota on energy efficiency and renewable energy (methods and assistance).
• Work to make energy audits available to South Dakota farmers and ranchers through securing funds to complete audits, identifying audit’s tools, and training staff to do on-farm audits and recommendations.
• Develop a web site and for use by farmers and ranchers on energy efficiency and renewable energy, utilizing existing information and links.