E-Farms
Efficient. Economic. Electric.
Efficient. Economic. Electric.
Supporting Resilient Working Lands in the Pacific Northwest
Since its launch in 2020, E-Farms has worked to show the real-world value of electric equipment for the farms, ranches, and forests of the Pacific Northwest. This initiative is a collaboration between Forth, Sustainable Northwest, Wy'East RC&D, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. Together, we are building a cleaner and more stable agricultural economy for our region.
Our Mission
We help rural communities move toward a cleaner future by providing:
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Education for Everyone: We share information about the practical and financial benefits of switching to electric equipment.
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Policy Support: We work to create the right market conditions and incentives that make rural electrification possible.
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Direct Experience: We give people the chance to test electric tractors, pickup trucks, and utility vehicles at no cost.
Becoming an Energy Champion
E-Farms is growing into a regional equipment lending network built on strategic partnerships with local organizations who serve as "Energy Champions" for their communities. These organizations and community groups are dedicated to improving energy resilience and sharing their success stories to help others.
We support these champions by helping them adopt new technology and advocating for the policies that make these shifts affordable and sustainable.
Ways to Collaborate
We offer a variety of services and partnership opportunities designed to help our neighbors reach their goals.
Hosting and Demonstrations
We provide equipment and help organize events that allow community members to see these tools in action.
- Equipment Lending: Access vehicles and tools from the E-Farms fleet for your community.
- Public Events: Join us for ride-and-drive opportunities where people can get behind the wheel.
- Field Days: Attend demonstrations focused on the needs of farmers, featuring expert panels and peer-to-peer learning.
Explore our electric farming equipment here.
Storytelling and Communications
We help our partners share their journey toward energy independence to inspire others in the region.
- User Stories: We share case studies, farmer profiles, podcasts and blog posts that highlight how this equipment works in the real world.
- Media Content: We produce videos and social media series to spread the word.
- Economic Insights: We provide clear data on how electric equipment compares to traditional diesel costs.
Technical and Financial Support
Navigating new technology and funding can be difficult, so we offer expert guidance to simplify the process.
- Project Planning: We help integrate electric equipment with on-site solar, battery storage, and microgrids to keep your power running and your energy costs down.
- Incentives and Grants: Our team helps you find and apply for federal, state, and utility incentives or grants.
- Data and Analysis: We provide reports on the total cost of ownership to help you make informed financial decisions.
Play Your Part in E-Farms
We are currently seeking regional partners to join us in co-fundraising and program collaboration. If you are interested in supporting more holistic rural energy resilience for our working lands, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Forth's Senior Specialist David Skakel to learn more about partnering with E-Farms.