The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a private nonprofit organization, founded in 1976, which operates a series of publicly-funded projects to promote self-reliance (especially for low-income people) through wise use of appropriate technology. Its programs deal with energy conservation, resource-efficient housing, sustainable community development, and sustainable agriculture.

ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. It provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States. (ATTRA was formerly known as the "Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas" project.)
- (Read more)

Farmers have a lot of experience in using solar energy – to grow crops. Farmers can also tap solar energy on the farm: Commercially available solar technologies can help you capture the sun's energy to provide heat, hot water and electricity for your farm, ranch, home or business.  You pay for the equipment, but the fuel is FREE.

Some solar technologies provide surprisingly quick paybacks and long-term relief from high propane, natural gas and other fossil fuel prices.

Agricultural Applications of Solar Energy

Solar energy can supply and/or supplement many farm energy requirements. The following is a brief discussion of a few applications of solar energy technologies in agriculture. For more information, you may wish to consult the publications listed below.

[Read more]