​​This page references a program that was completed in early 2015. Click here for information about the FY2015 Mathias Ag Program.

Maryland Agricultural Businesses Realize $239,000 in Annual Savings

Through MEA’s Mathias Ag Program, thirteen Maryland farms and agricultural businesses significantly reduced their energy use. Grants up to $200,000 supported the installation of eligible energy efficiency measures that enabled a minimum 20% energy savings in the buildings or areas where they were installed. Learn more about how various agricultural sectors in Maryland are harnessing energy efficiency to make their operations leaner and more competitive.

Case Studies

Poultry

 

​

Gerard and Donna Dumshaw upgraded four poultry house buildings and will save almost 34 MWh and almost 2000 gallons of propane a year with an annual cost savings of over $7,000.​​​

Field and Greenhouse Crops

 

Lewis McDonald upgraded his old grain dryer and will save 45% of the energy required to perform the same work. His estimated annual cost savings is more than $18,000.​

R.C. Willin replaced a diesel irrigation pump with a more efficient electric pump, an upgrade estimated to save his farm 4,241 gallons of diesel a year. Estimated annual cost savings: $9,157—which represents more than 70 percent of his fuel cost!​

Dairy

 

Sean Jones installed a compressor and milk cooler, lighting, and fan upgrades that will save his dairy more than $36,000 a year.​

Propane Savings

 

The 2014 Mathias Ag Program saved enough propane to fill a 250 gallon tank like the one pictured 310 times. That's enough to heat more than 150 Maryland homes during an average heating season. Given Maryland’s propane shortage in the winter of 2014, the avoided fuel use is a significant benefit.

2014 Mathias Ag Program Outcomes

 

​

Misc

 

Motor and Controls Upgrades: A White Paper

​​