Gallrein Farms in Shelbyville going green by adding solar panels
Gallrein Farm unveiled their newest project, solar panels, on Monday.
Gallrein Farm unveiled their newest project, solar panels, on Monday.
Gallrein Farm unveiled their newest project, solar panels, on Monday.
Gallrein Farms unveiled its newest project on Monday: solar panels.
The local Shelbyville farm was awarded a $111,778 grant by Rural Energy for America (REAP) to help install the 176 panels.
"It takes a lot of energy, big energy bills to run this place. With all of the greenhouses, the market, the café, and so on and so forth," said Gabrielle Gallrein, the manager of Gallrein Farms.
Gallrein says the money they save will go toward equipment, events, and maintaining their produce. They will also be able to educate the community, visitors, and other small businesses about the power of solar panels.
"This is a win-win. It's a win for the small business; it's a win for the environment; it's a win for Kentucky because it's bringing back federal resources to our local small businesses," said Dr. Tom Carew, the USDA Rural Development state director.
Carew presented the farm with a plaque to signify their role in creating an energy-efficient environment.
"It's really important to us to cherish the land that we have, and do what we can to keep it sustainable to keep farming for as long as we can," Gallrein said.
REAP hopes to continue this effort by helping more businesses throughout Kentucky go green.