Iowa ag producers and small businesses are receiving $18 million from the United States Department of Agriculture to invest in clean energy projects, according to a USDA release.

The announcement came Monday with a list of 183 projects across the state that will receive funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

Two Webster County farming operations will be receiving grants to fund clean energy projects.

Michael Kauffman, a farmer near Harcourt, will be receiving a grant of $60,244 to install an 81 kilowatt solar array on his grain production farm operation. The array will generate and replace 102,185 kilowatt hours per year in energy and create $15,980 in annual savings from energy expenses, according to the USDA’s release.

Near Duncombe, AJM Farms will receive a $269,282 grant to install a grain drying system, saving $33,500 per year and 486,200 kilowatt hours per year in energy usage, which is enough electricity to power 44 homes.

The REAP grant funding comes from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Nationwide, the USDA awarded $207,184,933 to 682 projects on Monday.

“Producers and small businesses across the state are saving money, growing their businesses and addressing climate change by investing in solar projects and making energy efficiency improvements through the USDA Rural Energy for America Program,” said USDA Iowa State Director Theresa Greenfield. “The Biden-Harris Administration is hard at work making sure as many Iowans as possible can access the historic Inflation Reduction Act funding to make clean energy improvements at their farms and businesses.”

The USDA is continuing to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30.

Other area grant awards include:

. $50,232 to Douglas L. Phelps, of Titonka;

. $249,000 to Kemna Motor Company, of Algona;

. $66,340 to Dornbier Inc., of Wesley;

. $165,414 to MHF LLC, of Emmetsburg;

. $48,594 to Daniel Drey, of Schaller;

. $33,040 to Kennedy Donald Drey, of Early;

. $88,936 to Western Iowa Energy, of Wall Lake;

. $113,711 to Curtis Dorenkamp, of Belmond;

. $64,779 to Woodleigh Farm LLC, of Clarion.