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09.05.07 -

09.05.07 -

07.13.07 - Renewable energy consultants bridging rural gaps By Steven Baguma ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 07/13/2007

At one time, energy made up about 5 percent of the cost of running a farm. Today, it's closer to 14 percent. And that's why Mark Green started Kirkwood-based Farmergy, a consulting business targeting farmers, rural businesses and homeowners seeking renewable energy sources. The year-old company helps to plan, finance and install alternative energy systems like solar, solar-thermal and windmill.

The alternative clean energy, Green said, helps cut power costs for water pumping and heating, air ventilation, lighting and irrigation, among other things. While the initial cost can be high, the return on investment is fast as well, Green said.

Randy Philips, for example, had a windmill installed in May at his home in Adams County, Ill. The device, which produces about 400 kilowatts of power a month, will "help us decrease power costs," Philips said.

Farmergy considers multiple variables before recommending an alternative energy system. The primary question is whether clients want to go completely off the electrical grid or just supplement their energy needs. Another key factor is how many kilowatts per month a client uses, which helps determine the size of the system needed. Farmergy uses satellite mapping to identify the energy needs of the client and then designs a plan tailored to each client. "Based on that, we can determine if we should use sun or wind," Green said.

Tax credits also play a role. In some cases, a client might qualify for a wind grant, which might offset 50 percent of the cost. "So we will propose wind," Green said.

Farmergy doesn't install the equipment. It works with subcontractors to supply windmills, solar panels and other forms of alternative energy. Farmergy's consulting work ranges from $300 to $5,000, while the energy systems typically cost from $30,000 to $50,000 — although much less-expensive models are available.

Farmergy, which started in June last year with initial capital of $250,000, has since earned double that in revenue from its consulting business. In January, the company purchased Hermann-based Missouri Valley Renewable Energy mainly to gain client base and experienced personnel at the company. "We benefited by buying the company that had been in this business for eight years," Green said. "We have completed eight installations of wind, solar and solar thermal since the purchase in January," said Green, who worked in agricultural marketing before forming Farmergy.

Today, Farmergy operates in 21 states, and the future looks bright for clean energy technologies, said Pakrasi Himadri, a biochemistry professor at Washington University's Department of Energy Environmental & Chemical Engineering. "They will not completely replace coal and gasoline, but they will make a difference," he said.

sbaguma@post-dispatch.com | 314-340-8140

07.06.07 - Find the latest alternative energy tools and information at www.AgWeb.com/energy

(St. Louis, July 6, 2007) – Farmergy, a new energy solutions company for agriculture, has partnered with Farm Journal Inc., to offer farmers, ranchers and rural homeowners comprehensive news and information devoted to agriculture energy issues in the form of the Renewable Energy Knowledge Center on AgWeb.com.

“There are so many exciting changes occurring in the field of alternative energy,” says Mark Green, chief executive officer and co-founder of Farmergy. “We are proud to sponsor the Renewable Energy Knowledge Center on www.AgWeb.com to showcase the innovation occurring with alternative energy and agriculture. From harnessing renewable energy sources like solar to taking advantage of carbon credits, there is a lot going on.”

Visitors to the site will find the latest news about renewable energy sources, case studies outlining recently installed projects and new product highlights in the form of Renewable Energy Solutions.

For those ready to take action and find solutions that pertain to their own farming operation or rural property, the Renewable Energy Knowledge Center contains a variety of tools to help simplify research and evaluate your needs. Check out the “Energy ROI Calculator” to see how long it would take an investment into alternative energy systems to make a return. And, calculate the energy saving over the life of the system.

Visitors also can “ask an expert” by simply typing in their question and getting a response from an experienced energy consultant via e-mail. Ready for more a more in-depth conversation? You can fill in your basic information and a Farmergy Energy Consultant will contact you for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Find out how alternative energy systems can enhance your operation and property. Visit the Renewable Energy Knowledge Center Web site at www.AgWeb.com/energy to learn more.

06.19.07 -

04.29.07 - Rural America’s clean-energy solutions expert, Farmergy, welcomes Chris Carl as the company’s new Chief Technology Officer.

“We’re excited to have Chris join the Farmergy team,” says Mark Green, CEO and co-founder of Farmergy. “Chris brings a wealth of technological insight and expertise to his role as Chief Technology Officer. More importantly, he’s an outstanding business strategist and with sound operational skills and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.”

Carl will serve as a member of the Farmergy executive management team and will be responsible for:

• Managing and expanding the functionality of technology-based tools and applications such as the patent-pending SmartEnergy PRO™ system that provides Farmergy customers with a comprehensive audit including energy analyses, management and demonstrated return on investment
• Managing a team of internal product managers who will bring new technology-based solutions to the market, including carbon management applications and grant- and loan-filing automation systems
• Managing relationships with outside supply partners

Prior to joining Farmergy, Carl most recently worked for the Fortune 500 company Charter Communications. As director of information technologies within Enterprise Resource Planning, he was responsible for all systems and functional/technical personnel that managed financial, human resource and supply-chain functions for the company.

04.29.07 - Farmergy www.farmergy.com is one of a select number of companies connected with the Database of State Incentives of Renewable Energy, which not only enables us to expedite the filing process for our clients, but also puts us on the leading edge of incentive and loan releases, renewals and expirations. That saves you time and money, where others can't. www.farmergy.com/incentive.aspx

Our Certified Incentive Specialists are ready to assist you with the grant and loan filing process from start to finish. This service includes research of available incentives and completion and submission of all forms and required support. Using the most advance satellite mapping software and data-driven technology, we will build a comprehensive profile and business case for your filing, significantly increasing your potential for acceptance.

State Incentive Program Consulting for farmers and ranchers:

Go to the www.farmergy.com website and www.farmergy.com/stateincentives.aspx to contact a Farmergy Incentive Specialist. Filing starts at only $150.00 for a state grant or loan.

Federal Incentive Program Consulting for Farmers and Ranchers:

Filing for a Federal Grant or Loan can be extremely complex and expensive, requiring a large investment of your time and capital. Applications are prioritized on first-come, first-served basis, and then ranked on a 115-point system. With limited funds available, it is critical that you rank well to increase your chances for acceptance. Farmergy can help.

The Farmergy SmartEnergy Pro™ system

www.farmergy.com/smartenergyprocess.aspx allows us to evaluate your suitability as an applicant for the Farm Bill Renewable Energy grant/loan program. Farmergy will interview you, work with you to gather data, and perform initial calculations to determine the strength of your proposed renewable energy project. You will receive an e-mail of our recommendation for filing and areas for improvement to increase your chances of a successful grant proposal. The following are samples of areas that are important to evaluate to determine the suitability of a project for this federal incentive.

• Quantity of energy replaced or saved.
• Payback period of project investment.
• Financial readiness.
• Environmental policy goals.
• Technical merit.

Go to the www.farmergy.com website and www.farmergy.com/federalincentives.aspx to contact a Farmergy Incentive Specialist. Let us help you take the Federal assessment for only $75 to see if you are ready, before you go to the next step of filing for the 9006 grant.

About Farmergy™

Farmergy offers farmers, ranchers and rural homeowners the tools and expertise they need to make informed decisions relating to clean-energy solutions and environmental systems management. Farmergy provides customers with a streamlined planning and implementation process that is unprecedented in the industry. Using the proprietary SmartEnergy PRO™ system, the company’s qualified consultants help customers accurately assess their energy needs and capitalize on available grants, tax credits and favorable financing. Customers then experience a seamless transition from planning to product acquisition and implementation through the company’s network of best-in-class suppliers and Farmergy-certified installers. For more information on Farmergy and the company’s SmartEnergy PRO™ system, visit www.Farmergy.com, or call (314) 479-2835.

04.9.07 - (St. Louis – April 9, 2007) – In its commitment to provide rural America the expertise and systems to capitalize on clean-energy solutions and carbon-credit management, Farmergy today announced it has hired Allen Smith as a company advisor and board director.

“Allen Smith is a highly focused, results-driven business leader who has an outstanding record of growing businesses,” says Mark Green, CEO and cofounder of Farmergy. “His strong entrepreneurial spirit and vast knowledge of the agricultural and rural marketplace will be a great asset to the company as we continuously look for new ways to help rural America adopt practical, useful clean-energy solutions.”

Prior to joining Farmergy, Smith held a variety of leadership positions within Monsanto, an agricultural company that enhances farmers’ productivity and profitability by applying innovation and technology to the systems they use to produce food, feed and fiber. Smith joined Monsanto while living in Singapore, where he managed all Asia-Pacific operations. He then moved to Lyon, France, to manage the Europe/Africa commercial operations for the company. Smith returned to the U.S. in 2005 to lead Monsanto’s U.S. sales force west of the Mississippi for seed and trait sales. In his last role before leaving Monsanto, Smith served as oilseeds director, responsible for long-range planning for the company’s soybean and canola portfolio.

In addition to working for Monsanto, Smith’s career also includes a 15-year tenure with Cyanamid and BASF, after the latter acquired the former. There he oversaw several business units and led a successful integration of BASF into the Asian market.

02.28.07 - Farmergy On WGN Radio

02.25.07 - St. Louis Business Journal Article

02.03.07 - With funding now available from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the timing is perfect for Illinois farmers to reduce their dependence on costly traditional energy sources. Register today to find out how to get started. Representatives from Farmergy and Southwest Windpower will be available to answer any questions.

(PRWeb) February 3, 2007 – With funding now available from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the timing is perfect for Illinois farmers to reduce their dependence on costly traditional energy sources. Join us for a town hall meeting in Springfield, IL on Feb. 7 for assistance with grant applications. Register today to find out how to get started. Representatives from Farmergy and Southwest Windpower will be available to answer any questions.

Farmergy is a company based in St. Louis, Missouri that offers a broad range of clean energy solutions – from livestock watering to powering out buildings – to the agricultural industry. SWWP, based in Arizona, manufactures Skystream 3.7, a new generation wind generator that hooks up to your home to reduce or eliminate your monthly electric bill. It's the first all inclusive wind generator (with controls and inverter built in) designed to provide quiet, clean electricity in low winds. Skystream is ideal for residences, farms, and small businesses.

On Feb. 7, Farmergy and Southwest Windpower (SWWP) will help you electronically file on the spot for funding now available through the 2007 Illinois Renewable Energy Resources Small Wind Grant Program. Following are details on this program:

• Provides up to 50% of eligible project costs per project up to $25,000.
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis through April 30, 2007.

Eligibility: Any new, small wind energy conversion system with a nameplate capacity ranging from 1 to 50kW mounted on a tower of at least 60 feet in height. Eligible systems must be sited on a parcel of land of 1 acre or greater and be mounted at least 30 feet above any structures or natural features within 300 feet of the installation that may adversely impact the wind resource.

Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 5:00 p.m. in the Missouri and Illinois rooms of the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center in Sprinfield, Illinois. A light sandwich supper will be provided. An RSVP would be appreciated. Confirm your attendance and register today by clicking the link below.

01.22.07 - (St. Louis – January 22, 2007) – Farmergy, the only company that provides agriculture with clean energy bundled solutions, installation and maintenance that saves farmer and ranchers valuable time and money, today announced the acquisition of Missouri Valley Renewable Energy (MOVRE). This move reinforces Farmergy's commitment to providing its customers the highest level of expertise, quality and service in clean energy solutions, from conceptualization to installation.

MOVRE is Missouri's leading source for renewable energy resources. The company was founded in 2000 by Henry Rentz, the chief executive officer, after an extended power outage left his farm and home without the capability to pump water or provide refrigeration. Realizing he was totally dependent on others for his energy solutions, Rentz wanted to have an alternative power supply.

"As I looked for other energy options, I found a lot of people – particularly farmers – were looking for the same thing," Rentz says. "As a result, I started MOVRE to provide people with a variety of options to utilize the wind, sun and water – whether they simply wanted to reduce their dependency on utility-based power, or they wanted to completely remove themselves from the power grid."

Realizing the value of this expertise and well-earned reputation for providing viable clean-energy solutions for customers throughout the Midwest, Farmergy executives made the acquisition of MOVRE – and the addition of Rentz to its management team – a top priority for the new company.

"A critical component of our success at Farmergy will be our ability to effectively install a vast array of clean energy solutions for farmers and ranchers across the country," says Mark Green, Farmergy president and chief executive officer. "Henry's intimate knowledge of both agriculture and the renewable energy industry will be invaluable to us as he designs and implements our national certified installer program."

The certified installer program will ensure that customers – no matter where they're located – will receive the highest level of professional service for any clean energy solution in which they invest. The in-house training program will require Farmergy-certified installers to meet and maintain stringent qualifications for:

• Years of experience installing equipment in agricultural environments
• Initial training and continuing education
• Financial standards within their individual communities
• Adhering to a strict level of professional conduct and courtesy

Farmergy™
Farmergy's mission is to better the agriculture marketplace and its surrounding environment by educating, implementing and managing clean energy solutions. The company has positioned itself to become an industry-leading energy efficiency solutions company through its unique smart energy system that combines a best-in-class dealer network with a complete certified installer program. It features a proprietary advanced web-based technology system that will provide integrated energy audits, management and ROI for the farmer throughout the product lifecycle. For more information about Farmergy, visit www.farmergy.com or call 314.479.2835.

01.23.07 - Ice storms and power outages in Southwest Kansas drive farmers to look for alternative energy sources from solar and wind. Farmergy Inc. and Resource Utilization LLC are holding a Town Hall meeting for all farmers to come and hear and discuss issues around energy independence. Farmergy will have engineers and product demos to view. This is a great opportunity to become energy independent. To sign up for free go to www.farmergy.com. Farmergy will have grant experts on hand to discuss what incentives are available for the Kansas area.

St. Louis, MO (PRWeb) January 23, 2007 – Town Hall Meeting on Renewable Energy for Farmers; clean energy solutions for today's livestock producers. Sponsored by Farmergy Inc. Cosponsored by Resource Utilization LLC.

If reducing a farm or ranch's dependence on costly traditional energy sources is a priority, this meeting is for you. Farmergy, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is a company that offers a broad range of clean energy solutions – from livestock watering to powering out buildings – to the agricultural industry. This town hall meeting will take place in Garden City, Kansas, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 25th in the South Ballroom at the Plaza Inn Hotel. A light sandwich supper will be served.

Come learn about wind power for your local farm, with our exclusive partner, Southwest Wind Power, who manufactures the 1.8kW Skystream wind turbine. Attendees will get the opportunity to hear about solar powered water pumping systems for remote watering, and thermal insulated water holding tanks that reduce the risk of freezing drinking water for livestock.

Farmergy believes that one of the biggest hurdles to getting a clean energy product on a farm is finding and applying for grants and tax credits. Farmergy will have a grant specialist and detailed information on site in Garden City during the meeting.