Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) — USDA Rural Development

Grants and guaranteed loans for solar arrays, efficient coolers and greenhouse heaters, irrigation pump upgrades, and other energy improvements on rural farms and small businesses.

Typical award: Grants cover up to 50% of project cost, $2,500–$1,000,000
Deadline: Quarterly application windows — check your state RD office
Type of support: Funding / grants · Energy & infrastructure
Who can apply: Individual producer, Non-profit, Tribal
Fits these operations: Vegetables & produce, Cut flowers, Orchard & fruit, Mixed / diversified, Value-added & food business, Urban farm

The eligibility and application details below are general guidance for this kind of program, not text copied from the funder. The facts above — who runs it, how much, and when it closes — are hand-checked. Always confirm specifics on the official page.

Am I eligible?

Open nationwide — check for state-level ranking or set-asides
Individual farmers, ranchers, and farm businesses may apply
Non-profits, co-ops, and community organizations may apply
Tribes, tribal producers, and tribal enterprises are eligible
Active SAM.gov registration and UEI number required before award
Must be in compliance with USDA/federal program rules (AGI limits, conservation compliance)
Matching funds or in-kind contribution may be requested

How to apply

1Read the current program page or notice of funding to confirm this cycle's rules
2Contact USDA Rural Development before writing — most funders will tell you if you are a fit
3Register in SAM.gov and get a UEI (this can take 2–4 weeks — start early)
4Draft the narrative, budget, and any required letters of support
5Submit whenever you are ready — rolling review, earlier is usually better
6Sign the award agreement and track spending for reporting

What you'll need

Farm or business name, address, and tax ID / EIN
SAM.gov UEI number and active registration
Project description and itemized budget
Maps, photos, or quotes for anything you plan to build or buy
Proof of land ownership or a lease covering the project period
Organizational documents (501(c)(3) letter, board list) if applying as a non-profit

Timeline & contact

Rolling review — expect roughly 1–3 months from submission to decision

Get help: USDA Rural Development — your local USDA Service Center or state office can walk you through it

Ready to apply?

Applications go through USDA Rural Development, not through this site. Open the official page below for eligibility rules, forms, and contacts. For federal programs it's worth calling your local USDA Service Center or Cooperative Extension office first — they help with paperwork for free and know what your county actually funds.

Open official page

This listing was last hand-checked August 2026.

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