BISMARCK – Two area farms are among seven North Dakota operations awarded grants for grain drying or solar systems through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program that partners with farmers to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills, Rural Development State Direct Erin Oban announced Friday.

“USDA Rural Development continues to put federal investments made available through the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act to work for family farmers right here in North Dakota,” Oban said. “These grant awards are going to our friends and neighbors to create efficiencies to their farm operations that will save enough energy to power more than 100 homes, noticeably reduce their annual expenses, and keep more money in their pockets and in their communities.”

Todd Zahnow will use a $311,137 grant to install a more energy efficient grain drying system on his family farm growing small grains near Raub, according to the Rural Development news release. The project will replace enough energy to power five homes.

Joel Olson will use a $39,125 grant to install a solar array system. Olson operates a family farm growing small grains near Minot. This project will save the business $2,750 per year and produce equivalent electricity to power four homes.

The USDA is making available an additional $600 million across three funding rounds from now until 2027 through the Rural Energy for America Program. Farmers and small businesses can apply for the next round between Dec. 31 and March 31.