Through funding and technical assistance, the CDA’s Acre3 Program promotes the development and implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for Colorado's agricultural producers and processors under the direction of the Colorado Agricultural Value-Added Development Board.
Summary
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has identified the following three priorities based on our assessment of statewide opportunities, potential impacts, and the need for ACRE3 program services.
- Agricultural Hydropower - The ACRE3 program has secured $2.9 million, including $1.45 million from the USDA RCPP program, for financial and technical assistance to help farmers upgrade their irrigation systems to save water and energy. In addition to pressurized irrigation systems, the ACRE3 program can also support the development of low-impact hydropower projects in irrigation canal drops and small reservoirs.
- Energy Efficiency - All EQIP-eligible Colorado dairies, irrigators, greenhouses, and cold storage facilities can receive technical and financial assistance from the ACRE3 program through the Colorado Agricultural Energy Efficiency Program.
- Renewable Heating/Cooling - The Colorado Department of Agriculture has partnered with the Colorado Energy Office, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-Colorado, and Rural Development-Colorado to promote renewable heating and cooling systems as part of an Agricultural Energy Management Plan (AgEMP). Even if you are not eligible for NRCS assistance through the EQIP program, Colorado agricultural producers and processors may be eligible for project assistance through the ACRE3program.