EAST LANSING, Mich. -- A pair of Michigan State University agricultural economists will present "Small Wind: Will It Work for You?" throughout the state Aug. 24-Sept. 9.
Steve Harsh and Lynn Hamilton, professor and visiting associate professor, respectively, in MSU's Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, are working with MSU Extension educators in seven counties to talk to residents about using small wind turbines to power a farm, home or business.
Recent state and federal laws have made wind energy a much better investment than in the past, Hamilton said.
"One of our goals, through these workshops, is to go over those policy changes and to talk about steps to a successful wind project," she said.
Hamilton and Harsh have developed a Michigan-specific checklist of factors to consider before investing in a wind turbine to help residents determine whether a wind turbine is right for them.
During the workshop, case studies will be presented using a small wind economic model and Michigan wind data collected from the MSU anemometer loan program to show factors that make a turbine affordable.
Additionally, the presenters will focus on the United States Department of Agriculture Renewable Energy for America Program, which provides grants for farms and rural small businesses.
"More than $70 million in grants has been allocated for 2011 and 2012," Hamilton said. "So we would like to help Michigan farmers and rural small business owners get some of those dollars."
For more information regarding one of the workshops, contact the local MSU Extension office or Hamilton at (517) 332-6656. No registration is necessary for these events.
Following is a schedule of presentations:
• Alpena County: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 24, Alpena Community College Center 106, 665 Johnson St., Alpena
• Delta County: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 25, Bay College Heiman University Center, Room 952, Escanaba
• Washtenaw County: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 30, Washtenaw MSU Extension Office, 705 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor
• Lapeer County: 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 2, Lapeer MSU Extension Office, 287 W. Nepessing St., Lapeer
• Clinton County: 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8, Smith Hall, Clinton County Fairgrounds, 800 Sickles St., St. Johns
• Berrien County: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor
• Branch County: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, 4-H Cabin, 251 Sprague St., Coldwater
###