Farmers Looking For Energy Alternatives

ALBION (NEWS CENTER) - The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is helping farmers find ways to save money on their energy bills.

On Thursday, July 10th, the extension is hosting its annual Sustainable Agriculture Field Day at Rogers Forage and Research Farm in Stillwater.

Organizers say the event is designed to bring farmers together to discuss the states agriculture industry and how they can make their farms more self sufficient.

Rick Kersbergen, an Extension Educator, says the event highlights both the successes and failures Maine farmers have experienced, as they work to grow new crops and develop new fuel technology to power farm equipment.

Kersbergen says this is an exciting time for farm research in the state. He says farmers are starting to realize if they don't make some changes, their farms may not be around much longer.

"We're working with producers," Kersbergen told NEWS CENTER. "They are involved, we're learning with them. It's not us teaching them or telling them, we are learning with them, and there are trials and tribulations but it is a fun time."

Henry Perkins of Albion is one farmer who is pursuing alternative energy options. Frustrated with spending too much money for fuel and feed for his livestock, Perkins bought an oil press and began growing his own soy beans and sunflowers.

It has been a year since Perkins began creating his own feed from soy meal and sunflower meal for his organic dairy farm. Perkins says he plans to use the waste oil from the plants in his tractors, but he says he hasn't tried putting the oil into his machines just yet.

Perkins has obtained several grants to assist with the projects, but he is also pouring a lot of his own money into the experiments as well.

Perkins is working closely with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension office on his new crops.

He also called in the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District and Efficiency Maine to complete an energy audit of his farm, in order to find new ways to create a sustainable farm.

Organizers of the upcoming the farm field day say the event will also allow farmers to meet with representatives from Maine Rural Partners and Farm Energy Partners Network, which are working to create a partnership of farmers to share both technology and knowledge throughout the state.

Organizers say the goal is to create a stronger and more sustainable agriculture industry.