Curious What's Happening in Other Rural Oregon Communities? It's Solar Technology!
This article has been republished with permission from Lake County Resources Initiative, based in Lakeview, Oregon.
Within the fertile Willamette River Valley near the town of St. Paul, Oregon, in Marion County, a family farm legacy continues to be written. In 2018, the Oregon Century Farm & Ranch program awarded Mullen Farms with a sesquicentennial award, honoring their continued farming efforts over the last 150 plus years. Over these years, five generations have seen firsthand how the introduction of new technologies in agriculture can change farming practices. Today Mullen Farms continues to adopt technology that makes sense for their operation. Jerry Mullen, grandfather, farmer, and great-great grandson of Mary Mullen who originally homesteaded the 160-acre land claim in 1852, was not an advocate for solar energy in its early days. But his commitment to the longevity and prosperity of his family farm led him to put the power of the sun to work for his business.
Since 1971 when Jerry and his wife Kathy purchased the Mullen homestead from Jerry’s mother, the family has added twelve more locations. Today, Mullen Farms operates on 1,542 acres and is still as diversified as it was in the 1850’s, raising grass seed, snap beans, sweet corn, squash, wheat, clover, vegetable seeds, and hazelnuts.
With the growth of the farm came the challenges of increased energy costs. And with the addition of a seed cleaner in 2006, Jerry started considering solar power to help manage those costs. He had been approached by solar companies in the past but chose not to work with them at the time. But when he received an email from the Department of Agriculture referring him to the non-profit Spark Northwest, he reached out. Jerry began to work with Spark Northwest’s Rural Renewables Program and soon realized that they could help him navigate the solar market. “It has to pencil out and make sense financially” he says, “and it is really important to work with credible contractors.” Spark Northwest helped gather three separate solar quotes from local Energy Trust Trade Allies, secure a $10,000 grant reimbursement from USDA’s Rural Development REAP program, and aided Jerry in understanding the finances for a 9.5 kW ground-mounted solar electric system that helps power the seed cleaner. After success with the first system, “We started looking into adding solar power to offset our PGE expense for irrigation” Jerry says. Once again, Jerry turned to Spark Northwest for project assistance. The result was a 50.4 kW ground-mounted solar electric system that fits nicely. The solar system’s footprint is about one-tenth of an acre.
With Energy Trust of Oregon cash incentives, the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, business depreciation benefits, and utility bills savings, Jerry would recoup his initial investment within eight years. With a secured 25% reimbursement on total project costs through another USDA REAP grant, however, his economic payback will be reduced to five years.
“Without Spark Northwest’s help we probably wouldn’t have gone through with writing the grant. Having someone who knows how to get you through all the hoops is really helpful,” he says. He emphasizes that the challenges of tackling grants, negotiating prices, and accessing incentive opportunities alone can be a daunting task. “The assistance was by far the most important aspect of moving forward with this project” Jerry says. “I would definitely recommend any grower or anybody who has access to Spark Northwest to get help on a project”.
Jerry and Kathy’s nine grandchildren, spanning from ages 3 to 19 years old, all enjoy working and living around the farm in some fashion. “Farming is in their blood,” Jerry believes. “They learn a good work ethic and also get paid, thus having the responsibility for their own money.” When asked what he wishes for the future Jerry enthusiastically responds, “Our hopes are to leave it in good enough shape, efficient and viable enough, to keep this farm as a family unit for generations to come.”
Looking to invest in cost saving renewables including solar, wind or even geothermal on your farm, ranch, or small business? We are here to offer free of charge project assistance and consultation! Reach out to our Rural Renewables Program team to learn about financing, incentives, Energy Trust Trade Allies. Contact Mia Devine at mia@sparknorthwest.org or visit sparknorthwest.org or Johnathan Van Roekel at johnathan.vanroekel@lcri.org or visit lcri.org.
