Agriculture

Farms, both big and small, and other agriculture operations can employ several technologies and techniques to help increase their energy efficiency.  Whether it is making sure your tractor is operating in peak condition, your ventilation systems are operating on a least cost basis, or you begin growing your own biodiesel, the agricultural sector can start to save energy – and money – without much additional cost.  The agricultural sector is also a source for renewable energy, both through biodiesel and the capture of methane from sources such as pig waste, which can be used to produce electricity. This is great news for North Carolina, which is home to 48,000 farms that cover 8.8 million acres, including 1.5 million acres of soybeans, and 9.4 million hogs.

Below are resources to find more information about energy efficiency technologies, ongoing research, policies and programs that relate to energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Farm Energy Options is a great site run by the US Department of Agriculture that covers energy on the farm, both in terms of saving it and producing it.

National Sustainable Agriculture Service provides very similar information that can help any agricultural operation with their energy questions.
 
The University of Vermont hosts an Energy Efficiency Management Resources page that covers fuel savings for tractors, methane capture for energy generation, and energy efficiency for agricultural buildings.