Iowa Farm Cuts Energy Bills With Federal Solar Program

Erik Sessions spent 26 years building Patchwork Green, his 40-acre vegetable farm in Decorah, Iowa, one cooler and irrigation system at a time. But as his business grew, so did his electric bills.

Sessions runs a Community Supported Agriculture operation, delivering fresh seasonal produce to customers while also supplying local restaurants and a food hub. All that infrastructure requires serious energy, especially the walk-in cooler and the well pump that pushes water uphill to his crops.

He'd tried solar before with panels on his garage, but the setup wasn't ideal and didn't produce enough power. Still, he never gave up on the idea of using sunshine to grow vegetables and keep them cold.

When energy costs kept climbing, Sessions discovered the Rural Energy for America Program, known as REAP. This U.S. Department of Agriculture program helps farmers and small rural businesses invest in renewable energy and efficiency upgrades through cost-share grants.

There was just one catch. Sessions had to prove the solar array would power his farm business, not his home, since both sit on the same property. An energy assessment showed more than half his electricity went to farm operations, clearing the first hurdle.

That's when Steve Hopkins from the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa stepped in. Hopkins guided Sessions through the complex application process, connected him with contractors, and helped navigate deadlines and paperwork.

"This would have been much more of a challenge if I hadn't had help," Sessions said. He warns other farmers that the timeline from application to installation can stretch much longer than expected.

Sessions received REAP approval and his solar array went live in December 2024. Starting in winter let him watch his energy bills shrink month by month as daylight increased. The system now meets his farm's needs perfectly.

Even with the federal grant, the solar panels will take years to pay for themselves through energy savings alone. But for Sessions, the investment goes beyond dollars. It's about energy independence and managing his farm more sustainably, treating renewable energy as seriously as he treats soil and water conservation.

The Ripple Effect

Sessions' success demonstrates how federal programs can transform renewable energy from an expensive dream into practical reality for small farms. The savings free up money for other farm needs while reducing reliance on the grid. His advice for other rural business owners: plan ahead, find local support, and don't expect quick results. With REAP funding available and local energy districts ready to help, more farmers could soon be turning sunlight into both vegetables and savings.

"I value being more energy independent," Sessions said. "It is definitely a worthwhile government program."