From Money Pit to Solar Power: A Wisconsin Farm's Journey from High Costs to Solar Savings
Via @StoneyAcresFarm Instagram
Discover how a Wisconsin farmer turned his struggling dairy farm into a thriving, energy-efficient operation
Tony grew up on a 60-cow dairy farm in Wisconsin. When his folks had to give up the cows, he wanted to find a way to keep farming the land. So he started a veggie, meat, and pizza farm. But when it came to supporting his family, he realized that he had a problem.
Via @StoneyAcresFarm Instagram
In the words of Tony, “It's hard to keep the money pile ahead of the money hole!"
According to him, just his yearly electricity bills were over $8,000. That’s when he discovered a grant he could get to make some energy efficiency improvements. Tony started doing the farmer math.
Via @StoneyAcresFarm Instagram
With a little help in the form of a grant from the USDA, and some guidance from the Rural Energy for America program, he put up solar on the south-facing barn.
Now that money pit is draining way less from his cash flow– in fact he produces most of his own energy now, his monthly bills have almost disappeared.
Via @StoneyAcresFarm Instagram
Well, besides having more money for farm improvements, seeds, and seasonal employees, Tony has started doing some celebrity impersonations while harvesting beets. This is his best Dwight Schrute.
Not many people know Tony’s story— please share it with your friends and let them know what you think.
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