On Monday, May 5, 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will begin accepting new applications for grants and loans under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for fiscal year 2014. Authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), REAP provides funding for agricultural producers and rural small businesses for the development and construction of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects.

REAP provides grants, loans, and combination grant-loan awards on a competitive basis. The scope of energy-related projects that REAP can support is also fairly broad, from energy audits to energy project development and installations. In 2014, the agency is expected to provide at least $12.38 million in grant awards and up to $58.7 million in guaranteed loan awards.