Theresa Greenfield, U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development state director in Iowa, announced that the USDA is providing $21 million in technical assistance grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The grants are designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses access federal funds for renewable energy and energy-efficiency improvements. The USDA Rural Development state office in Iowa will receive between $400,000 and $500,000 to award in a competitive process to providers of REAP technical assistance. “This technical assistance grant opportunity will provide hands-on support to farmers, ranchers and rural small-business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems,” Greenfield said in a press release. The application window for the technical assistance grants is open and closes Aug. 15. Eligible recipients for the grants include state, tribal or local governments; colleges and universities; electric cooperatives and utility companies; and for-profit and nonprofit organizations.