ARKANSAS FARMERS REAP SUCCESS
Matt King Economist Arkansas Farm Bureau
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
Arkansas REAP Projects • Poultry House Upgrades – Fans, heaters, insulation, doors, solid side walls, ect
• Irrigation Upgrades – Diesel to Electric – Replacing old wells – New Pivots and Pivot Renozzeling
• Stirred interest in Renewables • Grain dryers
2
The History of REAP in Arkansas Number of Grants
Grants Approved
Total Grants
Grants Approved from FB Grant Writer
FB Member Awards
2007
1
1
$25,890
2008
8
4
$113,659
2009
5
4
$38,037
2010
49
44
$1,007,990
26
$585,483
2011
68
45
$862,326
34
$616,873
Total
131
98
$2,047,902
60
$1,202,356
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What is the benefit of the REAP program in Arkansas?
THE 2010 REAP APPLICANTS IN AR OVERALL SHOWED: • Grant dollars received = $585,483 • Total dollars saved = $323,210
• Average Return On Investment (ROI) of 15.82%
Farmers Like the REAP Program • Flexible • Application process relatively painless – Coordination between USDA agencies on information
• Huge cost savings beyond the payment • Works on their timetable
ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION