Welcome to the very first episode of the Rural-E Podcast — where rural energy, innovation, and efficiency meet the real stories of the people making it happen.

Hosts Robert Wallace, a certified energy manager with 16+ years in the rural energy space, and co-host Michael Kluz sit down to share how they got here and where they're headed. From a 100-year-old farmhouse in Dufur, Oregon, they dig into the work that rarely gets told: helping farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses become more efficient, more resilient, and ready for what's next.

In this episode:

How a one-year "farm energy" job turned into a 16-year mission
Michael's wild first day on the job — a road trip to Montana to show off an electric tractor
What USDA REAP grants are and how they fund solar, irrigation, and energy efficiency projects
"Fund stacking" — how rural producers combine grants and utility dollars to get projects across the finish line
Agrivoltaics, electric farm equipment, and the energy-water nexus
Why rural communities are quietly at the forefront of emerging energy technology

Whether you're a farmer, a rural business owner, or just curious about the future of energy, Rural-E is here to share the stories, the innovation, and the lessons from the field.


#RuralEnergy #Agrivoltaics #FarmInnovation #RenewableEnergy #ElectricTractor #USDA #EnergyEfficiency #RuralAmerica #SustainableFarming #CleanEnergy