Saving Energy on the Farm

Nova Scotia farmers are looking at ways to make their operations more sustainable by conserving energy and saving money.

Renewable Energy on the Farm is a one-day conference that will be held next week to help operators focus on energy conservation, alternative sources of energy and new technologies for the agricultural sector.

"High oil prices and increasing global energy demands are causing our producers to look at ways they can address these issues," said Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. "The conference will provide practical information which Nova Scotia producers can apply to their farm operations."

The conference will look at energy conservation on the farm; bio-mass combustion; wind and solar opportunities; and bio-gas/co-digestion. Two sessions are scheduled, one on Monday, Feb. 27, at the Old Orchard Inn near Wolfville, and one on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre.

"Producing renewable energy makes economic sense for farmers," said acting Energy Minister Angus MacIsaac. "In some cases, these farmers can become energy self-sufficient and sell surplus electricity back to the power grid."

The Inverness-Victoria Federation of Agriculture is presenting the conference in partnership with the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Department of Energy.

To register contact the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture at 902-893-2293 or by e-mail: [email protected] .