Farmers in the southeastern United States hit hard by recent hurricanes have a new opportunity to rebuild, thanks to an expanded program from the Propane Education Research Council (PERC). According to Mike Newland, Director of Agriculture Business Development at PERC, the organization is doubling its financial incentives for farmers in disaster areas who purchase new propane equipment.
PERC’s standard incentive program, which has been in place for over eight years, provides rebates to farmers investing in propane-powered systems. These include heating, water heating, and backup power systems. In hurricane-impacted areas, the incentives are doubled, offering more substantial financial support for rebuilding efforts.
“If you’ve got to rebuild a poultry barn or other structures, this program is there to help,” said Newland. He noted that many poultry barns in South Georgia and North Florida were destroyed by the storms. Farmers can visit propane.com/farmincentive for details on eligible categories and doubled incentive amounts.
While Newland acknowledged the program cannot fully cover rebuilding costs, he emphasized its value as part of the industry’s efforts to support recovery. “It’s what our industry can do to help,” he said.
Farmers can also contact PERC directly through the website for personalized assistance. This initiative provides a practical resource for producers working to restore their operations after the devastating impact of hurricanes.
Sabrina Halvorson
National Correspondent / AgNet Media, Inc.
Sabrina Halvorson is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and public speaker who specializes in agriculture. She primarily reports on legislative issues and hosts The AgNet Weekly podcast. Sabrina is a native of California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley.