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Guide to the Penn State Extension Energy Team

The Energy Team is dedicated to empowering agricultural producers, businesses, and communities to make informed decisions about energy production and use.

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Updated:

July 2, 2025

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Image of the Penn State Extension Energy Team. Photo credit: Tom Beresnyak

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Key Areas of Focus

Our team of Extension Educators and Faculty offers a wide range of educational expertise to support your energy and land-use decisions.

On-Farm Energy

Learn how farms can produce energy for use or resale and reduce energy use through advanced equipment and management.
Learn about incentives and programs available to help farmers with energy needs.

Energy Efficiency

Find practical guidance on improving energy efficiency in homes, farms, and businesses.
Learn about various funding opportunities, including grants, rebates, and tax incentives.

Oil and Natural Gas

Access educational resources on natural gas production and economic, business, and environmental impacts.
Learn about the latest developments in shale energy and how it affects local communities.
Oil and gas regulator training.
Orphaned and abandoned well information for farmers and landowners.

Renewable and Alternative Energy

Explore information on renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass.
Discover tips and advice from experts on implementing renewable energy solutions.
Engage with municipal officials and community stakeholders on best siting practices for renewable energy.

Educational Materials You Can Trust

We develop and maintain a comprehensive library of educational resources.

Articles and Fact Sheets: Over 150 articles and fact sheets covering a wide variety of topics from landowner leasing to on-farm energy.
Interactive Tools and Calculators: Calculators created to make data-driven decisions regarding on-farm energy.
Webinars: On average, two monthly webinars covering a wide range of topics. Webinars are recorded, and recordings are sent to all registrants.
Extension Energy Essentials: Sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights new articles and upcoming educational opportunities.

Energy and Agriculture Conference

The Extension Energy Team is also excited to announce the inaugural Energy and Agriculture Conference to be held Friday, October 10th, 2025, in Camp Hill, PA, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. The conference will focus on helping farmers, agricultural producers, and manufacturers explore practical, profitable ways to produce energy on their operations. Attendees will gain insights into energy projects tailored to your operations, with expert presentations and agricultural producer panelists on solar and biogas systems. The solar segment will highlight options for on-farm and manufacturing energy use, leasing, and agrivoltaics opportunities that provide sustainable income. Sessions on biogas, including food waste utilization, will cover anaerobic digesters and the potential to generate power while selling excess energy back to the grid. The event concludes with information on funding sources to help make these energy projects a reality.