Many
agricultural facilities in the upper Midwest
have been aging, and reinvestment in them has
been made more difficult due to low milk prices.
Wisconsin's
electric cooperatives have stepped up to the
plate and created a new farm re-wiring financial
assistance program for dairy producers.
Dairy farmers who are members of electric cooperatives
can apply to their local cooperative for a cost
sharing package to re-wire their existing agricultural
facilities to meet current electrical code standards.
New construction is not eligible.
The process involves an inspection by a state-certified
electrical inspector, and application to the cooperative
for up to $5,000 (or 20%) in grant funds and up
to $20,000 in low-interest loan funds.
The work must be done by an electrician qualified
by the cooperative (a master electrician or an electrician who completed the farm rewiring program is qualified). Before final payment is made
for the re-wiring project, the work must pass
a final electrical inspection.
Wisconsin electric cooperatives are offering this
financial assistance in order to protect the safety
of their members and to help preserve and extend
the life of important assets for farmers.
For more information on this program, please contact
your local electric cooperative or view their
home page in our "Links"
section of this web site.
