The Minnesota Project, with support from the Minnesota Division of Energy Resources, has developed an energy auditor training program available to rural and/or energy efficiency stakeholders interested in providing energy audits to Minnesota farms and rural businesses. This unique job skills training opportunity is the first of its kind in Minnesota and one of only a small number nationally.
The program will train students on energy efficiency issues specifically related to farm operations and rural small businesses. After completing the training, students will be qualified to perform energy audits in accordance with ANSI/ASABE Standard 612 for on-farm energy audits, which can qualify producers and business owners for local, state, and federal (including USDA-REAP) funding programs.
Training areas addressed include: poultry, swine, dairy, beef, greenhouse, grain (including grain drying and irrigation), convenience and grocery stores. Training will also include a lesson on grant writing to familiarize trainees with federal funding applications.
The training program will take place through a convenient online webcast format, featuring live video and interactive lessons. Class will convene once a week for eight weeks, with three site visits to supplement classroom learning. To complete the training, each trainee will perform their own energy audit, to be reviewed and approved by training staff.
This training provides a great opportunity for energy efficiency stakeholders to start or expand a business into the agricultural arena. This training could also provide a good opportunity for agricultural related businesses to provide a value-added service to their customers and/or members. This program will provide trainees familiarity with principles of both farming and energy efficiency, so all levels of experience are welcome.
Other training program benefits include:
- Financial incentive for completion of final project
- Affordable professional development
- Audit assistance from staff Professional Engineers
- Convenient, online learning opportunity
- Access to program’s farm energy calculators
- Relatively untapped efficiency market
The training will begin in mid-November with more details to follow, and the first 20 trainees to sign up will receive free registration! If you’re interested in receiving more information, please contact Jake Fischer at The Minnesota Project at 651.789.3330 or by email at jfischer@mnproject.org.
This project was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
