FARMINGTON – Federal money is out there for farmers and small business owners who want to make their operations more energy efficient, and an upcoming workshop will teach people how to get it.

“It’s a great opportunity for farmers and small business owners,” Portland-based Community Energy Partners President Sue Jones said on Monday. Jones, along with two representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture, will be explaining two federal grant programs available to small business owners and farmers this Friday.

The grants provide funding to help “develop and install renewable energy projects or make energy efficiency improvements,” according to a news release from Jones’ company.

In 2006, a Farmington man – Bussie York – received money to help buy an energy-efficient grain drier, Jones said.

Anybody interested in making their business or farm more energy efficient – from installing new windows to putting in solar panels – is welcome at the meeting, Jones said. It will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday at the Ben Franklin Center at Franklin Commons.

The two speakers from the USDA, Mike Grondin and John Sheehan, actually review grant applications and talk with prospective applicants about applying.

“They do the nuts and bolts of these programs,” Jones said.