Stuart Lavalier has put 40 years of love into Lavalier’s Berry Patch in Grand Rapids.

“It started with strawberries,” he shared. Now he has blueberries, cherries, apples, and some flowers and vegetables too. “The cherry picking start on Friday. And blueberries will be soon.”

New in 2022, three solar arrays. He was able to apply for and receive $17,000 in federal grant money from the REAP program to invest in this. REAP stands for Rural Energy for America Program.

“To me, solar panels say we are concerned about the environment,” Lavalier shared.

He gets back about $3000 a year from his utility provider, because they generate more than they use at the farm.

Solar United Neighbors helped with the process.

The application for the next round of REAP funding is open. For more info: https://www.rd.usda.gov/inflation-reduction-act/rural-energy-america-program-reap