Rural-E

Robert Wallace
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Telling the real stories of rural energy; connecting farmers, small businesses, conservation partners, and funders through authentic conversations and practical insights.

Выпуски

  1. 5 авг.

    The Electric Tractor That Saved Harvest During a Power Outage

    How do you power an entire working vineyard without diesel? Solar panels, an all-electric fleet, and a whole lot of experimentation. In this episode of the Rural-E Podcast, hosts Robert and Maia sit down with Garett Long, Director of Agriculture at Troon Vineyard & Farm in Oregon's Applegate Valley — the only farm in the world to hold both Biodynamic and Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) Gold certification. Garett walks us through Troon's journey from a diesel-powered operation to a nearly 100% solar-powered farm running on electric vehicles — and shares the real, unfiltered results of testing early electric tractors (Solectrac and Monarch) through the eFarms program. No politics. Just what's actually working on the farm, and what isn't. In this episode: How Troon became the world's only Biodynamic + ROC Gold certified farm The 153 kW solar array that makes all their vehicle charging free Real-world reviews of electric tractors: SelecTrac vs. Monarch The unforgettable story of the Monarch tractor saving a wine bottling run during a surprise power outage Range, torque, compaction, and charging — the honest pros and cons Why local service and repair is the #1 barrier to electric equipment in rural areas Fuel savings, maintenance costs, and total cost of ownership The regenerative practices behind it all: no-till, cover crops, 300 tons of compost, sheep, chickens & biodiversity Chapters 00:00 – Intro & meet Garrett Long 01:32 – From "The Biggest Little Farm" to Troon 05:35 – Becoming Biodynamic + ROC Gold certified 09:13 – How energy fits into their farming goals 12:04 – Touring the electric fleet: Gators, Polaris, ATV & forklift 15:01 – Charging everything with on-site solar 18:08 – Compaction, weight & range on electric equipment 29:38 – Testing the SelecTrac electric tractor 34:00 – The Monarch tractor: first impressions & real use 41:51 – How the Monarch saved the day during a power outage 49:38 – Would they buy a name-brand electric tractor? 54:37 – Fuel savings, economics & rural culture 59:13 – Diesel usage by the numbers 1:05:40 – Regenerative practices at Troon 1:11:59 – Final thoughts: "Just try it"

  2. 23 июл.

    From a 100-Year-Old Farmhouse to Electric Tractors: Our Rural Energy Story

    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

  • Выпусков: 2

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Telling the real stories of rural energy; connecting farmers, small businesses, conservation partners, and funders through authentic conversations and practical insights.

Информация

  • Автор
    Robert Wallace
  • Годы выхода
    2026
  • Выпуски
    2
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © 2026 Rural-E