On Friday, April 26, the Baker-Polito administration announced a $25,000 grant to local food and farming nonprofit Island Grown Initiative (IGI). The grant was one of 40 awarded to Massachusetts farms to implement renewable energy systems and improve energy efficiency. A total of $954,803 were given out.
The grant will help IGI upgrade its greenhouse energy efficiency, according to the press release.
The greenhouse at IGI’s Farm Hub in Vineyard Haven is approximately 31,000 square feet, and was built in 1989, according to IGI’s website. IGI acquired the property in 2012, and has been renovating and repairing ever since.
IGI and other grant recipients are projected to save over $195,000 annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 780 tons each year. The grants are funded through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Agricultural Energy Grant Program, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.
“We are pleased to help support local farms that work hard to provide local, healthy farm products to Massachusetts citizens,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said in the release.
Sandy Neck Oyster Co. in West Barnstable was the only other Cape and Islands farm to receive a grant.