USDA provides further funding to expand domestic fertilizer production

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is making more than $116 million in investments for domestic fertilizer production to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for farmers and lower food costs for consumers.

USDA is awarding the funds through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program to help eight facilities expand innovative fertilizer production in California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

“When we invest in domestic supply chains, we drive down input costs and increase options for farmers. Through today’s investments to make more fertilizer, USDA is bringing jobs back to the United States, lowering costs for families, and supporting farmer income,” said Tom Vilsack, USDA Secretary.

Through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program, the USDA has invested $517 million in 76 fertilizer production facilities to expand access to domestic fertilizer options for growers in 34 states and Puerto Rico.

It is expected these efforts will see US fertilizer production increase by 11.8 million short tons annually and create more than 1,300 jobs in rural communities.

Projects receiving this round of funding include California company Biofiltro USA Inc. which will use a $2.3 million grant to construct a new facility to process manure from dairy cows and yield more than 33,000 cubic yards of composted fertilizer alternative annually.

In Georgia, Reve Solutions Inc. will have $1.3 million to expand a biosolid fertilizer composter and increase capacity through additional equipment and working capital for two production locations. This undertaking is expected to generate more than 30,000 short tons of fertilizer nutrient and create five new jobs.

There is also a $2.3 million grant going to Kansas-based Farmers Cooperative Association who will expand an existing dry fertilizer facility with additional storage and processing capacity. The project will improve the efficiency of order processing and will increase its dry fertilizer production to 24,500 short tons per year.