Fruit growers have been less likely than other farmers to tap into funds available under the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), but some have found opportunity. Chip and Karla Bailey of Williamson, New York, obtained grants that helped them buy a wind turbine and an array of solar panels to provide electricity for their cold storage and employee housing. The Baileys received $44,766 to install the wind turbine and $46,622 to install the solar photovoltaic system, according to Scott Collins, energy coordinator with the New York REAP program. Two other New York orchardists also used REAP funds for […]