By Ryan Duey

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Rural Development Director Christy Davis has announced another round of Rural Development grants totaling nearly $1.8 million to support 15 clean energy projects across Kansas.

Four area farms, producers, and businesses were awarded grants:

· Roy Buessing, an agricultural producer in Axtell was awarded $39,900 to purchase and install a 19.2 kilowatt solar array.

· Schwartz Farms, Inc. of Herington was awarded a $611,745 grant to purchase and install a 616 kilowatt solar array, which will replace 40% of the farm’s annual energy usage.

· Rural Rental, LLC of Abilene was awarded an $83,014 grant to purchase and install a 19.35 and 30.10 kilowatt solar array.

· Stateline Dairy, LLC of Morrowville was awarded a $277,000 grant to purchase and install a 250 kilowatt solar array.

Davis said the initiative of these grants is to expand clean energy in rural Kansas, helping support small businesses and farmers as they create jobs for their communities.