Uploads from USDAgov, tagged reap, with geodata

20110505-RD-LSC-0448

nobody@flickr.com (USDAgov) — Tue, 10 May 2011 08:10:22 -0700

USDAgov posted a photo:

Amy's Organic Garden in Charles City, VA, on Thursday, May 5, 2011. Owner Amy Hicks harvesting greens at her farm. Ms. Hicks' farm participates with Fall Line Farms a local food cooperative in the Richmond, VA area that offers a wide variety of household food staples and specialty items on an ever changing inventory of fruits, vegetables, meats, soaps, eggs, cheeses, flowers, honey, pastas, sauces, syrups, baked goods, mushrooms, flour and grains. Suppliers post what they have on a Lulus Local Food online listing and customers can make their selection. Every Thursday suppliers deliver orders to, one of several pick-up points, designated by the customers in or around the Richmond area. USDA Photos by Lance Cheung.

20100625-RD-JH-0030

nobody@flickr.com (USDAgov) — Tue, 03 May 2011 09:45:59 -0700

USDAgov posted a photo:

105 solar panels are installed at Littlestown Veterinary Hospital in Littlestown, PA, in mid September 2010. The Littlestown Veterinary Hospital in Littlestown, PA, received a grant from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to have solar panels installed to help reduce their carbon footprint and to have cost effective electric power for the hospital. REAP provides grants for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. The program also provides funds to agricultural producers and rural small business to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The expected cost savings using solar power for the hospital’s electrical needs is expected to reduce the facility’s operating expenses by 50%.

20110419-RD-LSC-0219

nobody@flickr.com (USDAgov) — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:10:33 -0700

USDAgov posted a photo:

In the cement floor that Dwight Hess stands on, on April 19, 2011, are 8,000 feet of heating tube that, when needed will circulate hot water, keeping the plants warmed up to at least 50 degrees even when outside temperature may be zero degree at the Good Harvest Farm in Strasburg, PA,. The Farm completed a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant supported renovations six months ago that replaced an 80-year old structure with a new 4,000 sq. ft. facility that features energy efficient glass roof with curtains that block or trap heat, radiant heaters in or above the floor, and the replacement of an oil-fired hot-air furnaces with propane fueled boilers that supply fin-tube and cement embedded tube elements with hot water. With current fuel prices, there is a projected 2011 energy cost savings of more than $20,000; a 40% reduction in energy costs – exceeding projected savings. Plant health and quality has improved and been more consistent because the temperature and humidity is computer controlled and distributed evenly throughout the facility. Utilizing sensors and a roof mounted weather station the system can maintain four different climate zones 24-hours a day. Two 1,000,000 BTU propane fueled boilers heat the water to 190 degrees for the 8,000 feet of fin-tube heating elements were used where the original foundation, and the 8,000 feet of tubing that was embedded in a new cement foundation. After traveling through the energy efficient system, water only looses 20 degrees. When temperatures become to hot, motorized roof vents open to allow rising heat to escape; a 98% energy savings from massive fans that previously forced air out. Both systems create a microclimate in and round the plant trays in the growing and sales room. Representing Good Harvest Farm Chris Powell says, “You don’t need to have a lot of land to have a lot of green houses. There are places in cities where vegetables are grow on store roof tops and selling them below in the same structure.” USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.