Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources

2012 Spring & Summer Internship Opportunity Available

2012-02-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

Prosperity is looking for an intern or part-time hire to start immediately. We have an opening for at least 60 days and are also looking for a summer intern from may to August. Applicants must have strong verbal communication skills and writing experience, as well as proficiency in MS Office and social media networking. Much of the work will be located from our office in Monrovia, Indiana. For the current position, we are unable to use hire virtual assistance.

Please email sarah@prosperityagenergy.com if you have questions or would like to send your resume. College students preferred, but mature high school-age welcome to inquire. Adults seeking part-time administrative position may also contact us.

http://www.prosperityagenergy.com/pdfs/2012/2012_Spring_Intern_Position.pdf

SARAH AUBREY TO SPEAK AT NORTHEAST BIOMASS EXPO IN MARCH

2012-02-13T12:05:00.001-08:00

Monrovia, Ind. - February 3, 2012 - Sarah Aubrey, Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources, has been invited to speak at the 4th Annual Northeast Biomass Expo on March 23, 2012, 9:30 P.M. EST, at the City Center, Sartogo Springs, N.Y. Aubrey will be speaking on the third day of the expo with a breakout session on "Navigating the Federal Agency Funding Process - A Guide to Grants and Loan Guarantees." Aubrey is a member of the Biomass Thermal Energy Council, a co-host of the event, and a member of the National Speakers Association.

The conference and expo will be held from March 21-23, 2012 and will join hundreds of biomass suppliers, vendors, project developers, customers and other leaders of the renewable thermal energy industry in expanding and advancing the biomass market in the Northeast. For more information on the conference, visit www.nebiomassheat.com.

Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources is a full-service, funding opportunities firm which aids entrepreneurs, communities, universities, trade associations, and cooperatives in obtaining funds through the use of government or foundation programs in the areas of agriculture, energy, environment and food manufacturing. A Certified Grant Administrator, Ms. Aubrey assists clients in networking with state and federal agencies and trade groups to foster all areas of project development. Since 2007, she has written over 400 successful grants across 33 states; funding for these awards has yielded nearly $50 million. For more information, visit www.prosperityagenergy.com.

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Happy Holidays from Prosperity Ag & Energy

2011-12-14T12:49:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! What a wonderful year it has been at Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources. As the year ends, my thoughts turn to all that I am grateful for and I always like to assess the accomplishments and growth areas of the year. I want you to know that I appreciate your business, your advice, your kinship and the opportunity we've had to network with you this year. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you!

2011 saw us writing many grants and receiving many exciting awards for our clients. If you'd like to see a sample of these projects, take a look at the new Clients Awarded page on our website (http://www.prosperityagenergy.com/clients-awarded.html). Prosperity was certified as a Women Business Enterprise this year, and I was accepted into the National Speakers Association. Press releases about these opportunities and new information about speaking services are located on the website at: http://www.prosperityagenergy.com/speaking.html. We expect 2012 to be another exceptional year and I offer you my committment to do the best we can for your projects.

Best Wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a New Year of Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

Sarah Aubrey, Principal
Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources

NEWS RELEASE
PROSPERITY CLIENTS AWARDED 2011 USDA REAP GRANTS

Monrovia, Ind., December 14, 2011 -USDA Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) award recipients have been named. Thirty-six (36) Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources clients across ten (10) states have been awarded grants for renewable energy projects and energy efficient improvements, which totals over $1.3 million in funding. Over the past four months, USDA made three announcements of award recipients and today USDA released their final announcement, which concludes the REAP award cycle for 2011. Click here for today's press release from USDA. This list may not be exhaustive, however, as there may be a lag between applicant notifications of award and the issuance of USDA's announcement today. Prosperity will publish an additional release with new awardees when they can be reached. Prosperity client awardees are as follows:

DE - JAMES L CARPENTER & SON, INC. Milton Energy Efficiency $49,424

IL - AG PLUS DEVELOPMENT, INC. Tallula Energy Efficiency $49,663

IL - DEERFIELD FARMS, INC. Nashville Energy Efficiency $33,513

IL - LOWER FARMS, INC. Lanark Energy Efficiency $48,774

IL - WEST BUREAU FARMS, INC. Manlius Energy Efficiency $44,435

IN - ARDIS A KINDIG Brook Energy Efficiency $50,000

IN - AUSTIN'S WEST-SIDE SUNOCO, INC. Austin Flexible Fuel Pump $16,635

IN - BYRON ED RUGE Valparaiso Energy Efficiency $19,989

IN - B ALLEN BUCHANAN II Fowler Energy Efficiency $44,470

IN - CECIL K KOGER Stilesville Flexible Fuel Pump $45,185

IN - DANIEL R COFFMAN Hebron Energy Efficiency $47,708

IN - EDDIE'S SERVICE, INC. West Baden Flexible Fuel Pump $43,031

IN - EDWARD D HORRAL Patoka Energy Efficiency $33,467

IN - ERIC O'FARRELL Monticello Energy Efficiency $44,343

IN - GARRETT LAND CORPORATION Montpelier Energy Efficiency $43,086

IN - GERALD E WERNER Union Mills Energy Efficiency $28,811

IN - HARPRING FARMS, LLP. Greensburg Energy Efficiency $12,535

IN - JERRY HARLOW Tipton Energy Efficiency $17,842

IN - JOHN S HUSSEY Windfall Energy Efficiency $49,777

IN - LARRY BERENDA North Liberty Energy Efficiency $12,863

IN - LYNN FIECHTER FARMS, INC. Keystone Energy Efficiency $40,999

IN - MICHEAL R MCDANIEL Waldron Energy Efficiency $12,306

IN - RICHARD K NEIBERT Morocco Energy Efficiency $25,131

IN - RICK FIECHTER FARMS, INC. Montpelier Energy Efficiency $45,070

IN - ROBERT BREWSAUGH Greensburg Energy Efficiency $15,155

IN - WILFORD J HAYDEN Lowell Energy Efficiency $49,571

KY - KEVIN CHRISTMAN Prestonville Energy Efficiency $49,750

MD - BROADVIEW FARMS, INC. Westminster Energy Efficiency $30,367

MI - APPLE FARMS, INC. Elwell Energy Efficiency $26,600

MI - BRISTLE FARMS, LLC. Manchester Energy Efficiency $28,210

MI - FRANK KUNIK FARMS, INC. St. Charles Energy Efficiency $47,874

MI - HUNT FARMS, INC. Davison Energy Efficiency $49,750

MI - LEON P CLARK Eagle Energy Efficiency $48,869

OH - GAINER FARMS, INC. Urbana Energy Efficiency $41,401

PA - SUSQUEHANNA AQUACULTURES, INC. Mt. Wolf Other $24,675

WI - FENWICK FARMS, INC. Brodhead Energy Efficiency $41,625

The REAP Program funding is authorized through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). REAP funding can be used for renewable energy projects, energy efficient improvements, energy audits, feasibility studies and renewable energy development assistance. Information on the REAP program can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei.html

Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources began in 2007 and is a full service funding opportunities development firm. Prosperity focuses on grant writing, guaranteed loans and general grant administration working closely with state and federal contacts to strengthen communities, empower entrepreneurs and foster growth for farms and businesses. Owner Sarah Aubrey also writes and speaks widely on the issue of funding and entrepreneurship. Information on Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources can be found at www.prosperityagenergy.com.

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Prosperity's Client Awarded IDEM Recycling Development Grant

2011-12-05T13:31:00.000-08:00

MONROVIA, IND. - December 5, 2011 - The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has selected Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources' client, Perpetual Recycling Solutions, LLC. for the Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP) Grant. Perpetual Recycling Solutions, LLC. was selected to receive $50,000 to purchase and install recycling equipment at their newly acquired facility in Richmond, Ind.

Prosperity Certified by Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

2011-11-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

Sarah Aubrey, owner of Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources, is now certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a result of the Council’s comprehensive certification process. This process validated Prosperity as a successful woman-owned business through formal documentation and a site visit which was administered by one of WBENC’s 14 Regional Partner Organizations.

As a certified women-owned business, Prosperity will have access to over 500 major U.S. corporations representing thousands of well known brands and government agencies and is eligible to exhibit at national and regional business expositions. WBENC was founded in 1997 and is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. The Council, a national 501©(3) non-profit, is also the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America’s corporations. For more information, visit www.wbenc.com.

A full time entrepreneur since 2004, Aubrey created and sold a direct marketing business, Aubrey's Natural Meats, LLC. in 2008, is a Certified Grant Administrator and a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA). She is also the author of two non-fiction books with over 50,000 copies sold worldwide. More information can be found at www.prosperityagenergy.com.

Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources Secures Funding for Indiana Fuel Stations

2011-10-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

MONROVIA, Ind., October 4, 2011 –Three Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources’ clients have been awarded grant funding from the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) Flex Fuel Pump Program to install flexible fuel pumps at their existing Indiana stations. Total funds awarded among clients totaled $161,852.30. Recipients included Austin West-Side Sunoco, Austin; Little Point Auto and Truck Stop, Inc., Stilesville; and Eddies Service, Inc., West Baden.

Little Point Auto and Truck Stop, Inc. and Eddies Service, Inc. will offer E20 through E85 blends, while Austin West-Side Sonoco will supply E20, E50 and E85 blends. Eddie’s Service, Inc. plans to begin construction in November, and Cecil Koger owner of Austin West-Side Sunoco and Little Point Auto and Truck Stop, Inc. plans to start installation in spring 2012.

Both flex fuel pump initiative were new in 2011 and are expected to be available in 2012. USDA awarded funds of up to 25 percent of total project expenses to rural small businesses and ag producers, in rural areas only, to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. REAP Program funds are authorized through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of the 2008 Farm Bill. For more information on the program, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei.html .

ICMC’s Flex Fuel Pump Program provided new and existing Indiana stations up to 50 percent their project cost or a maximum of $20,000 toward the purchase of flex fuel pumps, hardware and storage or the conversion of an existing pump to flex fuel. The Flex Fuel Pump Program is made available by the Indiana corn checkoff. For more information on ICMC, visit www.incorn.org.

Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources began in 2007 and is a full service funding opportunities development firm. Prosperity focuses on grant writing, guaranteed loans and general grant administration working closely with state and federal contacts to strengthen communities, empower entrepreneurs and foster growth for farms and businesses. Information on Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources can be found at www.prosperityagenergy.com.

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AUBREY ACCEPTED INTO NATIONAL SPEAKERS ASSOCATION

2011-09-14T07:22:00.000-07:00

Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sarah Aubrey

Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources

(317)996-2777 (office)

sarah@prosperityagenergy.com

SARAH AUBREY ACCEPTED INTO NATIONAL SPEAKERS ASSOCIATION

MONROVIA, Ind. - September 13, 2011 - Sarah Aubrey has been accepted as a professional member into the National Speakers Association (NSA) as of August 2011, following the Association's extensive internal review process. Member qualifications include presenting a minimum number of speeches annually and/or generating a minimum amount of revenue from paid speaking engagements. Aubrey is now part of the NSA network which brings professional speakers together to excel in their careers and better serve clients. She is also involved in several NSA sub-groups including the Motivational/Keynote, Seminar/Workshop Leaders, and Writers/Publishers groups. The NSA, established in 1973, is the leading organization for professional speakers. For more information, visit http://www.nsaspeaker.org/.

Aubrey provides speaking services focusing on entrepreneurship and small business development strategies, including assisting audiences in finding and applying for grants.

Aubrey is a member of the Writer's Center of Indiana where she consults fellow members on developing successful book proposals suitable for publishers. A full time entrepreneur since 2004, she created and sold a direct marketing business, Aubrey's Natural Meats, LLC. in 2008. She is the author of two non-fiction books with over 50,000 copies sold worldwide. Starting & Running Your Own Small Business Farm (Storey Publishing, 2008) helps niche farmers position themselves well for the opportunities afforded by today's market. Aubrey's second book, The Profitable Hobby Farm, How to Build a Sustainable Local Foods Business (Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2010) is a down-to-earth guide giving all the information one needs to know to start a local foods business. Aubrey's company, Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources, is a full-service funding opportunities firm which aids entrepreneurs, communities and institutions of higher education in securing grants and loans in the areas of agriculture, energy, environment and food manufacturing. More information can be found at www.prosperityagenergy.com.

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August Travels: From the Desk of Erin Smith, Marketing Manager

2011-09-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

Last month, Prosperity was out and about enjoying summer and many agricultural activities. On Farmers Day, August 17, and in honor of Sarah, I attended ISDA's Celebration of Agriculture & Photo Contest Reception in the Normandy Barn at the Indiana State Fair. The highlight of this event was the presentation of the 2011 AgriVision Award presented by L.T. Governor Becky Skillman, which honors a Hoosier who has displayed a deep commitment and vision for Indiana agriculture.

In addition to the award ceremony, I was happy to represent Sarah as she was recognized as a 2011 ISDA Photo Contest winner with her picture, "Hereford Haze." Her photo was on display in the Normandy Barn for the duration of the state fair, and is currently on display in a traveling photo gallery. All winning photos will also be in a 2012 calendar sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau and designed by Hoosier Ag Today.

Also in the month of August, I attended Indiana Farm Tours in Southern Indiana hosted by the Indiana Soybean Alliance. The tour was a two-day experience, and stops were made at multiple ag production facilities. A tour bus carried participants to facilities consisting of cattle, egg laying pullets, hog, turkey and chicken, and dairy. Thank you Indiana Soybean Alliance for hosting the tour!

The Final Post of Prosperity's Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless

2011-08-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

Working at Prosperity has been a wonderful 13-week internship. I’ve had a lot of fun keeping this blog updated. And I’ve learned a lot about the business and gotten great work experience. This is my final post, as I will be heading back to Purdue in a couple of days.

This week I’ve taken Sarah’s books to Mooresville Feed & Seed to sell. There are now a few copies displayed at the cash register. I also went to a country store not too far from Prosperity where they expressed an interest in the books. They have a lot of hobby-farming customers who would be interested in learning how to make their operations profitable. And due to the convenient location, there may be some book signings in the future!

Yesterday I got to work at the Indiana State Fair. I sat in the Normandy Barn and got to talk to scores of fair-goers and hand out recipes for the Family of Farmers’ recipe trail. The Striped Bass with Pumpkin Sauce may not have been the biggest hit of the trail. But quite a few people said they planned on trying it, and it would probably go well with the dirt pudding recipe from the next stop on the recipe trail. Also, upstairs at the Normandy Barn, paintings of Indiana artist, Douglas David were featured, as well as the photographs of the ISDA photo contest winners. Sarah’s “Hereford Haze” is the first picture you see as you walk up the stairs. It’s really a very nice display of pictures and paintings. If you’re at the fair, it’s also a good break to the indoors for air conditioning.

On Monday I will begin my job as an advertising representative at The Exponent, Purdue’s student newspaper. Last semester I was a sales assistant, but now that I’ll have a territory and my own clients as an ad rep, I’m glad I’ve gotten some experience at Prosperity dealing with clients! I also write for a blog at Purdue. I am an admissions blogger, and maintain a blog for prospective students to read about life at Purdue. Once school starts I will be updating my “Boilermaker Life” blog again. You can keep track of what I’m up to at school on that blog. I am heading into my junior year, studying Sales and Marketing in the College of Agriculture. I’m looking forward to my new classes this semester, and hopefully I will have another fantastic semester at Purdue!

Hamming It Up

2011-08-08T06:15:00.000-07:00

Last Friday morning Sarah, Erin, and I got to attend Indiana Pork’s annual Ham Breakfast at the fairgrounds. It was bright and early at 6:45am. Governor Mitch Daniels and Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman spoke briefly about Indiana agriculture and our wonderful state fair. As the governor said, even though this is the “Year of the Soybeans”, every year is the “Year of the Pig” at the fair. And of course we got a yummy breakfast. The Indiana State Fair has officially begun!

I only have one week remaining of my internship. For the final week I will be making phone calls to bookstores promoting Sarah’s books. The books are already sold in major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders. But we’re looking to have them in smaller stores around the state, a nice touch to local bookstores to feature an Indiana author. Mooresville Feed & Seed, past the Lowe’s, will be carrying a few copies beginning next week. More locations are to be announced.

This week I will hopefully have the opportunity to work at the state fair a couple days with the Indiana Office of Energy Development. It’ll be good networking, especially seeing as it’s about time for me to start looking for an internship for next summer! I am open to suggestions, recommendations, and job offers. The agriculture world is very close-knit, as I’ve learned this summer. It seems as though everybody knows each other. I have a lot of people left to meet!

Post/Photo by Rachel Bayless

Winding Down, Week 11

2011-07-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

On Monday, Prosperity held its quarterly advisory board conference call. I had the opportunity to sit in and listen to the board discuss current happenings in the agriculture world from different vantage points. Indiana Farm Bureau president Don Villwock called in as a guest speaker, and I am glad I got the opportunity to sit in on the meeting.

Also, as a follow up to my previous posts regarding Sarah’s photo, Hereford Haze – an entry is the ISDA’s annual photo contest, the winners have been selected! Hereford Haze took first place in the “On the Farm” category. It goes very nicely with the other 11 photographs selected, which will be a part of a 2012 calendar put out by the Indiana Farm Bureau and Hoosier Ag Today. And throughout the fair you will be able to see the pictures displayed upstairs in the Normandy Barn. I hope you get a chance to visit the fair this year and see all the wonderful events going on, especially this “Year of the Soybean”.

Following the meeting on Monday, I got to meet the newest resident on the Aubrey property. I had never seen such a young calf before, and she’s about the cutest thing I’ve seen. Her name is A cappella. She’s precious.

Photo by Rachel Bayless

From the Desk of Prosperity’s Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless:

2011-07-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe I only have three weeks left of my internship. This summer has gone by so quickly. My next three weeks will be focused on marketing Starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business and The Profitable Hobby Farm. There will be quite a bit of email and phone correspondence with Indiana wineries and local businesses to try to sell the book at those locations in addition to the current major sellers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Hastings. And at some point in the next few weeks we’re going to try to set up a face-to-face sales call. I’ll admit, I’m nervous! But hopefully I can pick up some sales skills from my internship, as I continue studying sales & marketing.

It looks as though I’ll be working at the state fair for a couple days with the Indiana Office of Energy. I am truly excited to be seeing the fair from a different side. I’ve attended it almost every year, just with elephant ears and snow cones in mind. But I’m looking forward to seeing the agriculture and Indiana-focused side of the state fair and especially seeing the displays the Office of Energy presents to fair-goers interested in Indiana energy. And as I mentioned in my last post, the ISDA is putting on a “Celebration of Agriculture” event on August 17^th. They will also be announcing their photo contest winners, and Sarah’s photo “Hereford Haze” is an entry!

Photo by Rachel Bayless

From the Desk of Prosperity’s Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless:

2011-07-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

This week has been very productive in preparing the marketing of The Profitable Hobby Farm. I’ve gathered book excerpts, a press release, and related items that are going to go towards making my very first media kit. The Sarah Beth Aubrey Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sarahbethaubrey) is being used as a book page for The Profitable Hobby Farm and Starting and Running Your Own Small Farm Business.

After about another week, I will be getting started on contacting businesses and hopefully selling some books. The publishers are not easy to get in touch with. But I’m hoping to pull through and make this a successful project! I don’t want to be a flop at my major, sales and marketing.

Coming up in just a few weeks, the Indiana State Fair begins! I’m looking forward to going this year, after having a taste of the agriculture world. Our soybean friends at the Indiana Soybean Alliance are celebrating their “Year of the Soybean”. Check out this post by one of the ISA interns; take a shot at winning four tickets to this year’s fair. And once you’re at the fair, participate in the ISA’s soybean search, BEANGO (like Bingo, clever isn’t it!), to get some free fair food. And be sure to attend the Celebration of Agriculture event (August 17^th) put on by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. They are announcing winners of their annual photo contest, and Sarah entered her picture “Hereford Haze” in the “On the Farm” category.

"Hereford Haze" by Sarah Aubrey

From the Desk of Prosperity’s Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless:

2011-07-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

Despite having Monday off for Independence Day, last week was a very full week. For me it was filled with researching grants for clients, modifying grant item checklists, and organizing my plans for marketing and selling Sarah’s book.

We’ve been getting our REAP materials organized. Another year done, it is time to update our client questionnaires and checklists and everything else to be prepared for another year of applications. We are cleaning up all of these items so that the process can be easier than even for next years’ clients. While all of our clients’ applications have long been submitted, we’re tying up loose ends and last-minute details to close our book on the 2011 Rural Energy for America Program grants.

This week another newsletter will be going out. It will contain some upcoming grants, events, and a recap on the REAP grants. We also will have an article of this month’s advisory board member spotlight. If you are interested in being added to the mailing list, please contact us.

From the Desk of Prosperity’s Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless:

2011-07-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday we attended Greater Indiana Clean Cities’ Alternative Fuel and Related Technology “Day at the Track”. It was a nice day, and there was a good turnout. Some speakers talked about the alternative fuels that cars will eventually be using more prominently. There was a "Ride 'n' Drive" event, where electric cars were available to drive and hybrid school buses were there to ride in. We didn't get a chance to participate in that. But it was a nice event anyway!

My book project is currently underway! I have written a marketing plan, which was something I didn’t know how to do before. But that is Erin’s area of expertise, and she guided me through it. For the next week I will be getting together a media kit and some contact information and wholesale prices and serious information to approach my prospects with! I’m looking forward to getting started on the sales. Hopefully I won’t face too many rejections. This internship is giving me a lot of experiences that I know I will be using in my career in the future. Wish me luck on a successful project. And I wouldn’t be any kind of a sales person if I didn’t provide you with link to Sarah’s books.

Starting and Running Your Own Small Farm Business

The Profitable Hobby Farm, How to Build a Sustainable Local Foods Business

We will be closed this afternoon and Monday. From all of us at Prosperity, have a lovely Independence Day weekend!

From the Desk Prosperity’s Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless:

2011-06-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

Well, this week has been fun-filled. A new component was added to the REAP Grant application, a CCR registration. All of our clients who thought they were done received brand new phone calls asking for more information. The USDA is keeping us on our toes! While it isn’t a fun process, it is necessary. And it is giving me a lot of time on the phone. Once you’ve talked through the registration a few times it doesn’t seem so bad. Although I spend my weekdays on a computer all day long, and the applicants have other things on their plate, like a farm! But I’m happy that clients are finally calling with questions that I am able to answer! It makes me feel useful.

This week the application for certification to become a Women’s Business Enterprise was mailed. I have been working on that since I got here (over a month ago!). The application requires quite a bit of documentation, and it has been so busy in this office that the process was put on hold a little for us. But hopefully I didn’t forget any documents and Prosperity can officially become a “Women’s Business Enterprise”. Sarah is also looking to become a member of the National Speakers Association. We must provide documentation for 20 speaking events in the past 12 months. Those will also take some time to get together. But becoming a member of NSA, Sarah will have the opportunity to do a lot of networking and broaden her speaking horizons.

I have also begun working on a marketing plan for Sarah Aubrey’s books. Even though marketing is part of my major at Purdue, this is my first time delving into a marketing experience. Since I have never made a marketing plan before, I’m going to be using Erin’s (our marketing and communications coordinator) expertise to clean it up. I will keep you updated on the progress of book sales. I will be working towards having the book sold at Indiana wineries, farm supply stores, local bookstores, and any other venues where people would express an interest in her books.

Next week, as an office, we will be attending Alternative Fuel and Related Technology “Day at the Track”. At this time I do not know too much about the event. But we may have the opportunity to drive an electric car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and meet lots of people. Next week be waiting to read more about our experience there, and I will include some pictures!

Photo by Jared Coppess

PROSPERITY REACHES FINISH LINE FOR 2011 REAP PROGRAM

2011-06-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

MONROVIA, Ind. – June 15, 2011 – USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) FY 2011 construction application submission period is now closed and Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources (Prosperity) has submitted all applications to USDA. This year Prosperity submitted 66 70 grants in ten states for 2011 funding consideration through this popular program. The energy savings across all projects will yield 41.6% in 2011. In less than four years, Prosperity has secured grants for clients in more than 30 states totaling $50 million; REAP grant applications this year request greater than $2,486,493.22 funding for clients.

Notifications of awards are expected to be announced by late September. Prosperity writes and submits grants annually for energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy projects. The REAP Program funding is authorized through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). REAP funding can be used for renewable energy projects, energy efficient improvements, energy audits, feasibility studies and renewable energy development assistance. Information on the REAP program can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei.html

Prosperity Ag and Energy Resources began in 2007 and is a full-service, funding-opportunities development firm. Prosperity focuses on grant writing, guaranteed loans and general grant administration, working closely with state and federal contacts to strengthen communities, empower entrepreneurs, and foster growth of farms and businesses.

2011 REAP Grant Applications Submitted!

2011-06-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

The REAP grant deadline has finally come for us. We were working right up to the last minute! During the home stretch we lost Internet for the morning. A big storm flew over this morning and I imagine that may have had something to do with it. But we hurried to get back on track, and our numerous applications have each been submitted. Here are some stats about this year’s submissions from Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources:

66 70 grants

10 states

41.6% energy savings to come from proposed projects

$2,486,439.22 requested in grants

In the past three years Prosperity has secured 183 REAP grants in 13 states, 108 of which were for Indiana farms and small businesses. In 2010 grants totaling $2,917,444.40 were secured for Prosperity’s clients, and in 2009 an estimated more than $1.5 million in grants were secured as well. Each year over a million gallons of propane gas will be saved with the new grain dryers funded by the REAP grants written at Prosperity.

We are already getting started on REAP grant applications for 2012. Next year is the final year currently announced for the REAP Program. This program has been quite a success and we are hoping and encouraging the continuation of the program. But if you are interested, please do not delay your application! Feel free to contact us with any and all questions at 317-996-2777.

From the Desk of Prosperity’s Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless:

2011-06-10T06:07:00.000-07:00

I am certainly getting practice writing. This internship is giving me the opportunity to practice many different writing styles. Already today I have written a press release, drafted emails to go out to clients and to state offices, and here I am writing a blog. I’m getting practice writing letters to politicians. In addition I’m learning the power of research to go along with writing. Coming into this internship I didn’t know too much, and I still don’t know too much. So I’ve got to read a little bit so that I appear to know what I’m talking about!

As I’ve mentioned and you may already know, the deadline for the 2011 REAP grant application is June 15. That is very close. Last year there were 80 REAP grants written here at Prosperity, and although I’m not sure of the current count, I’m sure there are that many or more this year. Tuesday was when we required clients to have all of their information in for us to work on. And with the farmers all being so busy right now, there is definite a last minute rush. I enjoy it though. Being busy lets me know that I’m being productive. The last thing I want from an internship is to sit idly and learn nothing at the end of the summer.

Once this June 15 deadline has passed, Prosperity is taking a couple of days off. Then when we get back to the office on June 20, I get to jump into a sales/marketing project, which I am looking forward to. My major is sales and marketing. I have taken a really good sales class and worked a little with sales, but I haven’t gotten much of an opportunity yet to work on marketing. I’m eager to learn exactly how to begin such a project, as it will be a very career-preparing experience. The project will be based on Sarah’s books. She currently has two published: Starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business and The Profitable Hobby Farm. I’ve put together some businesses that may be interested in selling her book, and I will be doing a little more preparation this week so that I will have a good starting point to start talking to prospects. The books certainly have an audience eager to read them. A woman my dad works with has already zipped through The Profitable Hobby Farm, her interest brought on by raising chickens at her home.

After four full weeks of interning at Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources I am learning a lot and preparing for a career (which is, scarily enough, just a couple years away!).

photo by Rachel Bayless

From the Desk of Prosperity’s Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless:

2011-06-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant and loan applications are due in less than two weeks. Some of those applications are massive. Last week I looked through all of the 2010 applications Sarah wrote to gather up some data. Some of them are about 200 pages long! Most are about 100. I’m glad I’m the intern and not the grant writer. But I’ll tell you about the data I gathered. In 2010 alone Sarah wrote grants totaling $2,680,032.27. The projects those grants are helping to fund will have an average of 41% energy savings. That’s pretty significant. I’m not sure where we stand this year, but the deadline for REAP is June 15 and a lot of grant applications have been completed, and there are quite a few still coming in.

I must admit my favorite part of this internship is that it is in the country. We just don’t have all kinds of critters running around at home. My mom will insist that I mention that we do have a fox living in our neighborhood and that the neighbors have recently decided to raise chickens. But we live in a suburb. Despite what my friends at school think, I do not live on a farm, there isn’t a cornfield for miles, and any country accent I have is from listening to too much Brad Paisley. But I kind of wish I did live on a farm! I love the cows. The benefit to working on a farm and not living on a farm though is that I get to look at the cows, but I don’t have to take care of them. As far as I’m concerned, they eat grass, and that is taking care of cows. I’m sure anyone owning a cow would have a lot to say about that though!

I also don’t have to worry about the weather like farmers do. With all the rain lately, I’ve just been unhappy about driving in storms. But the farmers are worried because they can’t plant. Luckily, it has dried up. My phone calls this week have been to a lot of farmers who can’t quite hear me, because they are on a tractor. Again, as far as I’m concerned, corn grows in the produce section at Wal-Mart! I know that’s not true. And I’m happy to talk a little louder (or even yell) into the phone so that they can keep up the good work.

photos by Rachel Bayless

From the Desk of Prosperity’s Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless:

2011-05-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

With the REAP grant application deadline coming up on June 15, it has been quite busy around here. On top of the current grants Sarah is working on, new prospects are calling every day. We love having the business, but my goodness there are a lot of phone calls coming in! I am becoming a master at “Prosperity Ag and Energy, this is Rachel”. I’m grateful for the telephone experience. As a Sales and Marketing major, at some point in my career, chances are high that I will need to talk on the phone quite a bit. And unfortunately, I’m a little phone-shy. But I am working on that. Phone-shy is a quality that no sales person should have.

I live in Indianapolis, and Prosperity is a bit of a drive for me. Plus, I have only been driving for a couple weeks. Every day Erin gets to hear my stories of what went wrong. Somebody honked at me, I got lost, it started storming when I left the office and didn’t stop until I got home… my daily horror stories of driving. Last week a woodpecker almost flew into my truck! Don’t worry, he’s okay. But in all honesty, I love the drive. I love passing the farms, and seeing the calves and the donkey farm and the miniature ponies. Yesterday there was a turtle in the middle of the road! I wanted to keep it. I was sure that when I was driving home I would see it crushed on the pavement, and I would be so upset that I didn’t save it. Luckily, I didn’t see it again. So I think he made it! But if I ever see a turtle in the road again, I am going to take it home with me. Last week, I announced that before my internship is over, I want my picture with a cow. The Aubrey’s have about 20 very nice cows. I carry my camera every day, just in case the opportunity arises.

Prosperity is working on becoming a certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Getting the application materials together gives me a great chance to learn all about the company. (There are a lot of application materials.) The amount of work that goes into owning a small company is immense. There’s a lot to do, handled by just a few people. Sarah is also is in the midst of seeking membership with the National Speakers Association. Speaking is obviously something she enjoys, as the membership requires 20 speeches within the last 12 months. I gave four speeches in a semester for my communication class, and that gave me quite enough stress. But the key to being a good speaker is a knowledge and passion for what you are speaking about. I’m not sure that my speeches about pet fish and chocolate milk demonstrated a passion, but Sarah has a knack for giving speeches about grants. The knowledge about both Prosperity Ag and Sarah’s speaking jobs is going to help me as I move towards beginning to help market and sell Sarah’s books. I have them on my desk right now, and I’m looking forward to talking to feed stores and wineries and other assorted locations about selling her books.

I got my picture with Shimmer! Oh, and Sarah.

The cutest little barn kittens

From the Desk of Prosperity’s Summer Intern, Rachel Bayless:

2011-05-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

My name is Rachel Bayless, and I will be Prosperity’s intern this summer. I am a sales and marketing major at Purdue University, which is in the College of Agriculture. I am also pursuing a Communication minor. Prior to beginning at Prosperity, I was the author of a blog for the Purdue Admissions department. I got the chance to promote both Purdue and the School of Agriculture to potential students. I loved this job, because it gave me a chance to tell the incoming freshmen what college is truly like. Purdue websites don’t tell the whole story. I love attending Purdue, and I’m glad that I get to prepare at least a few freshmen for what the experience is really like. I also work in the Advertising Department for Purdue’s independent student newspaper, The Exponent. This is giving me a lot of experience in both sales and marketing. Working as a sales assistant, I have learned some things that I will bring to Prosperity this summer. And following this summer, I will take my experience back to The Exponent as I work as an advertising representative. I can’t say that The Exponent is a huge hit in the College of Agriculture, as it is a pretty liberal newspaper. But experience is invaluable, and that is exactly what I’m getting by working in the advertising department.

While I don’t have an agriculture background, I am eager to gain a little experience in the agricultural field (no pun intended). I am certain that working at Prosperity will prepare me for a career in agriculture, though I currently may not know as much as other students in the College of Agriculture. This summer I will be responsible for several things. I will be working with Prosperity’s marketing tools, such as this blog and the monthly newsletters. Client correspondence and general administration tasks will also be put in my care. A project that Sarah has lined up for me is to design a marketing project of her books. This project I will be initiating will give me phenomenal, real-career experience in both sales and marketing, and I’m looking forward to taking it on.

Already with Prosperity I have gotten to attend a Women in Agriculture luncheon at the state fairgrounds, where I got to meet the lieutenant governor, Becky Skillman, who I truly enjoyed meeting. She’s a very sweet lady. What a great first internship experience! I am proud that I get to work with Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources this summer.

Check out announcements about my internship on Facebook, website, and press releases

Congratulations to the 2011 Lugar Series Class

2011-05-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

The Friends of Dick Lugar is excited to congratulate the 2011 class of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series.

The nineteen women in this year's class joined a network of more than 300 Lugar Series graduates during their commencement yesterday in Washington, D.C.

"Each year I enjoy working with Republican women from around Indiana as they take these important steps to achieve leadership positions and work to accomplish real change in their communities," Lugar said. "I am thankful each of these women participated this year and look forward to their many successes in the future. I look forward to a new class of talented and driven Hoosier women this fall."

Founded in 1990, the mission of the Lugar Series is to increase the number and influence of Hoosier Republican women in elected and appointed governmental and political positions at the local, state and federal levels. Today, the program has been replicated in 18 states across the nation.

"Senator Lugar is the standard of grace and statesmanship, proving how great the process can be," said graduate Sarah Aubrey from Monrovia. "Once you have the opportunity to experience the Series at this standard, you have a consistent responsibility. The Series graduates are ready to run for office, support those who run for office, and engage their communities. The Series does a phenomenal job emphasizing 'you can' and 'you are able.' I am honored to have this network of support thanks to Senator Lugar."

This year's class includes Sarah Beth Aubrey (Morgan County), Beverly Austin (Hendricks County), Andrea Brandes (Marion County), Danielle Coulter (Delaware County), Kate Frank (Monroe County), Bethany Gosewehr (Marion County), Lindsay Jancek (Marion County), Bridgette Jarboe (Dubois County), Nicole Kelsey (Marion County), Elizabeth Kurella (Lake County), JoJo Rinebold (Boone County), Stephanny Smith (Allen County), Jo Ann Stewart (Wayne County), Victoria Schneider Temple (Hamilton County), Natalie Thomas (Elkhart County), Megan Umlauf (Marion County), Angela Weber (Johnson County); Beth Wrobel (Porter County); and Mari Yamaguchi (Marion County).

Spring Photos from Prosperity Ag

2011-04-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Erin Smith

Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources

Travel Week: Washington D.C. and Virginia

2011-04-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

This week, Sarah and her husband, Cary are traveling through Virginia and Washington, D.C. to meet with new and existing contacts.

Sarah's first stop is Galax, VA where she is invited to speak at a Woody Biomass Workshop hosted by New River-highlands RC&D. At the workshop, Sarah will speak on tips and tools for packaging federal funding for project financing.

Then off to Washington D.C., where Sarah is visiting with a few USDA individuals and other contacts on Capitol Hill.

Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference Feb. 24 & 25

2011-03-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

Sarah Aubrey's The Profitable Hobby Farm

Sarah Aubrey, "Born to Fly - The Ups and Downs of Being a
Farm Woman Entrepreneur"

Last week Sarah Aubrey, owner, and Erin Smith, Marketing Coordinator, attended the Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference hosted by Purdue University Extension in Jeffersonville, IN. A big thank you goes out the the MWIA planning committee for inviting Sarah to present the keynote presentation for the conference and for hosting a great event. Sarah presented a keynote presentation, "Born to Fly- the Ups (and downs) of Being a Farm Women Entrepreneur," and "USDA REAP Energy Grants- What are They and Tips for Applying," a breakout session, later in the afternoon. Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources enjoyed attending this great industry event and interacting with many leading ladies in agriculture.

National Farm Machinery Show

2011-02-24T07:47:00.000-08:00

Prosperity's Booth

Sarah Aubrey talking to Brock dealer Bill Obermeyer

Last week went spent in Louisville, Kentucky experiencing the National Farm Machinery Show. This event is the ‘Grand Daddy’ of equipment shows and we saw friends and made new ones from Maryland to Nebraska and all places in between. This year Erin Smith joined me to support and promote Prosperity in the Kentucky Department of Ag’s new resources room. Here’s a photo of the booth she set up for us. And, as I have the past several years, joined Brock Grain Systems in their huge booth that anchors one whole corner of South Wing A. It is great to see the Brock team-thanks to Roger and Rick-and to meet dealers from around the country and their farmer customers. We look forward to working with you! Photos taken by Erin Smith

Jamie Fisher to join Prosperity as Intern

2011-02-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

Jamie Fisher is the new intern for Prosperity Ag & Energy Resources for the winter of 2011. Prosperity looks to help young graduates gain experience in the business world and to open doors through contact with professionals. As Prosperity’s second intern, Fisher’s responsibilities include grant research, client correspondence, grant administration and writing for this blog. She is looking forward to learning more about grant writing, marketing, communication and brand management in the agriculture industry. Summer 2011 and fall 2011 internships are still available by contacting Prosperity at erin@prosperityagenergy.com.

Indiana ag industry events capture powerful ideas

2011-02-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

Last week I had the good fortune to attend two ag industry events in Indiana that captured my attention and provoked thoughts. The Agribusiness Council of Indiana, now headed up by Ice Miller's Beth Bechdol, convened last Wednesday and Thursday on Indy's North side. Much of the meeting was aimed at technical and training information important to the membership, but Thursday's luncheon keynote offered perspective of interest to about anyone. Dr. Jay Lehr, an economist that is also considered a 'futurist' joined the session as he makes his rounds around the winter ag meeting circuit. Starting off with remarks that agriculture is the world's greenest industry, he quickly won over some hearts. Yet he challenged the lunchtime crowd by asking us why we are not speaking louder than our detractors. Yes there is some noise being made about agriculture's heroics, but not enough. He encouraged participants to engage in conversations about agriculture's message and our sustainability saying it is not enough to be a green industry, rather we need to tell people just how green we are.

Enough, incidentally, was a theme that resonated the very next day during the Livestock, Forage and Grain Forum hosted by Indiana's various agricultural commodity groups. A large crowd traversed to the Indy Convention Center to take part in keynote speeches, including a moving and inspiring speech by Elanco's President, Jeff Simmons. The author of the recent book, "Enough-Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty" pushed audiences past their comfortable winter 'all's parked in the barn and washed and ready for spring' roosting spots and forced us to examine the continual work that needs done to feed the world. It's true, we continue to grow the world's food, quite literally, but there is a profound need to teach and enable many parts of the world to feed themselves, which the speaker and author, Roger Thurow impressed upon the audience. Though his grasp on American agriculture-and some of his views on public policy- were not of my liking, his message about teaching hungry to feed themselves should not go unheeded just because his political bent leans a bit too far in a certain direction...

I've not read his book yet, but copies for each participant were generously included in our packets and I plan to tackle the book yet this February.

Finally, when some many 'aggies' get together in one place, there is always a feeling of fun and common interest in the air. I enjoy these events and the opportunity to network, too. It feels right to be with peers of a common interest and to share a few laughs and hopefully help work together to launch successful projects that benefit agriculture and communities.

Client Awarded USDA REAP Feasibility Study Grant

2011-01-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 20, our client, Melon Acres, Inc. was awarded a feasibility study grant for a renewable energy project. We would like to congratulate Melon Acres and wish them the best of luck with their proposed project. Melon Acres' project to be studied is a small-sized butanol production facility that will create fuel for farm-use only from residue melon crops grown by the farm. Melon Acres is an example of one of Prosperity's clients with a unique project eligible for funding!
For a full press release go to: http://www.prosperityagenergy.com/news.html

Lunch with Lt. Governor Becky Skillman

2011-01-20T06:45:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, January 11, 2011, my 2011 Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series group and I lunched with Lt. Governor Becky Skillman as part of our January session. Rural development issues are always top of the Lt. Governor's mind, and we discussed a few during this small roundtable.

Indiana biomass working group hosts successful January meeting

2011-01-13T09:51:00.000-08:00

This week kicked off for Prosperity Ag by attending the January meeting of the Indiana Biomass Working Group meeting in West Lafayette, Indiana. Along with White technologies and Poet, I was a speaker and panelist. We covered grant and lending programs for biomass projects. Thanks to those who attended.

Welcome to our New Blog

2011-01-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year-and what a cliche' that is! Still, I do feel happy about welcoming this new year-do you? The name of our business is Prosperity, after all, and that is the desire we have for our clients, projects we hope positively impact and our own lives. Please check back often and subscribe for updates and quick posts and longer articles.

To your 2011 Prosperity ~

Sarah Aubrey

2011 Midwest Women in Ag Conference

2010-12-31T09:05:00.000-08:00

I have been invited as a keynote speaker at the 2011 Midwest Women in Ag Conference on Thursday, February 24 from Noon - 1:30 P.M. with a breakout session at 1:45 PM EST. I will be speaking on "The Ups (and Downs) of Being a Farm Woman Entrepreneur." In addition to the keynote speech, I will also be discussing "USDA REAP Energy Grants - What are They and Tips for Applying" in the breakout session. I am pleased to be invited as a speaker and look forward to seeing you there!
The conference is located at the Sheraton Louisville Riverside Hotel in Jeffersonville, IN. Come listen and engage in my comments on entrepreneurship, and learn about available funding opportunities for rural community projects and how to apply!

2011 Midwest Women in Ag Website