Energy

Gives an overview of agriculture and energy as part of an online multimedia course developed by scientists and researchers.

"From the production of fertilizers to the processing and transporting of food products to market, the industrial food system depends on fossil fuels to produce monocultures of commodity crops. Increasingly, food crops are being diverted to energy production — most notably corn, which is being used to make ethanol as a fuel. Industrial agriculture’s present reliance on finite energy sources that negatively impact the natural environment is not sustainable. There are energy alternatives at every step along the process that can help our food system become more resilient."

Contains materials about an international initiative to increase food security and economic growth in the developing world through support of affordable energy for farmers.

Presents the work of this office to develop and deploy commercially viable, high-performance energy products from renewable biomass resources.

Contains resources on recycling, weather, energy, fuel efficiency, and agriculture.

Describes the work of this unit to improve the use of woody biomass for energy production in tandem with forest management activities on public and private lands.

Presents tools designed to increase energy awareness in agriculture and to help farmers and ranchers identify where they can reduce their energy costs. Includes energy estimators for these areas: animal housing, irrigation, nitrogen, and tillage.

Lists financing programs for rural development to support the use of renewable energy.

Renewable energy or energy created from natural sources is a hot topic in U.S. sustainable agriculture today. Learn how farmers are harnessing (and profiting from) alternative energy sources: wind, sun, water and energy crops.

Provides access to the major energy initiatives of the USDA, including interactive maps and graphing analysis tools.