Othello, Harrington farms receive grants

OTHELLO — A local orchard has received a grant to replace two windmills with a drone.

Baird Orchards, 10664 Road E S.E., is among 18 projects to receive a total of about $2.3 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program grants for upgrading energy production.

According to the ¬USDA, Baird Orchards will receive $90,981 to fund the replacement of two propane-powered wind machines with drones.

Two Harrington-area farms — Rolinco Farm and Oestreich Farms JV — will also receive grants.

At Baird Orchards, the 4X4 drones will be battery and diesel powered, and replace 15...