 Minnesota is in the top five states for local investments under the USDA's Rural Energy for America program, which provides grants and loans to farmers and rural small businesses that install clean energy systems or take on energy efficiency projects. Grand Rapids berry farmer Stuart Lavalier says after the first year of getting solar panels up and running, the financial benefits were clear. Between 2018 and 2022, Minnesota signed nearly $140 million in REAP funds awarded to landowners.