In Oregon’s Rogue River Valley, Rusted Gate Farm is far more than a typical agricultural operation. It’s a nonprofit demonstration farm dedicated to securing the future of small-scale farming through innovation and sustainable practices. Their latest commitment to energy efficiency and the environment led them to work with Energy Trust of Oregon to help them construct a net-zero building, producing as much clean energy as it uses through an extensive solar installation.

Rusted Gate Farm completed a new, 6,000+ square-foot learning and innovation center in 2024, designed to serve as an educational and community hub for farmers and ranchers, offering support through a commercial kitchen, a production area for specialized processing and a farm store. The building was also designed with renewable energy at the forefront.

This extensive project, designed by Medford-based architect Bruce Richey, was guided by Energy Trust’s rigorous Path to Net Zero program, making it only the second commercial building in Southern Oregon to earn the net-zero distinction. Net-zero means the total amount of energy used by the building annually is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on-site. Rusted Gate’s new learning center building was designed and constructed to run on zero carbon energy and to feed the excess renewable energy it generates back to the power grid.

With technical resources and cash incentives from Energy Trust, Rusted Gate Farm was able to make their goal a reality, including features like:

• High-Performance Design: The project began with energy analyses and modeling to create a highly efficient building envelope, focusing on insulation, high-efficiency windows and strategic material choices. There is also a state-of-the-art HVAC system, a hybrid electric heat pump water heating system and LED lights.
• No Fossil Fuels: To meet the strict certification requirements, the building does not use any fossil fuel systems. Everything from heating and cooling to the commercial kitchen runs entirely on electricity.
• The “Solar Farm”: The electricity for the building is created using a combination of roof-mounted, pole-mounted and ground-mounted solar arrays, offsetting the building’s electricity use.

Energy Trust provided nearly $70,000 in incentives toward the new learning center, including an HVAC system, water heater and lighting, which are estimated to save more than 106,000 kWh every year and more than $13,000 in annual utility costs. Energy Trust also gave more than $15,000 in incentives toward Rusted Gate’s solar panels, which are estimated to generate more than 109,000kWh every year and save an extra $8,700 in energy costs in 2025.

Rusted Gate Farm’s mission centers on helping local farmers and ranchers strengthen their operations — saving more, earning more, and building resilience across our local food system. Through demonstrations and educational events at the Learning Center, producers can explore practical approaches to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and adopt tools like energy-smart and climate-conscious practices that fit their scale. The facility also hosts a commercial kitchen and production space, along with a farm store where regional farms can sell directly to the community.

The organization’s work with the Path to Net Zero program is not the only efficient move made by the farm. Rusted Gate serves as an example that shows how farming operations can make changes through an environmentally friendly lens. The solar farm includes a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station, and they’ve also taken part in an electric tractor pilot program. Rusted Gate is a shining example of how efficiency is possible and obtainable in a rural community, guiding local farmers and ranchers to leverage available programs to make small- and large-scale cost-saving improvements.

Rusted Gate Farm’s commitment, backed by the support of Energy Trust of Oregon, is proof that innovation, environmental stewardship and economic viability can thrive together in the challenging world of small-scale agriculture.

We are here to help support your next project, contact us at 1.877.467.0930 or email us at newbuildings@energytrust.org.

View our on-demand training on Rusted Gate to learn more from the farm’s project team.