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Increased Fertilizer Production Targeted by USDA Grants

Grants will be used to support innovative and sustainable American fertilizer production to supply American producers

PIXABAY
PIXABAY

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making $500 million in grants available in order to increase American-made fertilizer production to spur competition and combat price hikes on U.S. farmers caused by the war in Ukraine.

“USDA believes in the growth of innovative, local businesses owned and shared by people who can best serve their own unique community’s needs, fill gaps and build opportunities," said Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Recent supply chain disruptions have shown just how critical it is to invest in the agricultural supply chain here at home."

Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP)

The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) funds are being made available through the Commodity Credit Corp.

Grants will be used to support independent, innovative and sustainable American fertilizer production to supply American farmers.

Funds also will expand the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives in the U.S. and its territories.

The program will support fertilizer production that is:

  • Independent and outside the orbit of dominant fertilizer suppliers. Because the program’s goal is to increase competition, market share restrictions apply.
  • Made in America. Products must be produced by companies operating in the U.S. or its territories, to create good-paying jobs at home, and reduce the reliance on potentially unstable, inconsistent foreign supplies.
  • Innovative. Techniques will improve fertilizer production methods and efficient-use technologies to jumpstart the next generation of fertilizers and nutrient alternatives.
  • Sustainable. Ideally, products will reduce the greenhouse gas impact of transportation, production and use through renewable energy sources, feedstocks and formulations, incentivizing greater precision in fertilizer use.
  • Farmer focused. Like other Commodity Credit Corporation investments, a driving factor is providing support and opportunities for U.S. agricultural commodity producers.

Eligible entities are for‐profit businesses and corporations, nonprofit entities, Tribes and Tribal organizations, producer‐owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, and state or local governments. Private entities must be independently owned and operated to apply.

The maximum award is $100 million. The minimum award is $1 million. The grant term is five years.

USDA will begin accepting applications in the coming days via grants.gov.

Informational webinars

USDA is hosting two informational webinars:

  • Potential applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to attend a webinar on October 4, 2022, to learn more about the program. Pre-registration is required. To register for the October 4 webinar.
  • Potential applicants and other stakeholders are also encouraged to attend a webinar on October 6, 2022, to learn about application requirements. Pre-registration is required. To register for the October 6 webinar.

Potential applicants and stakeholders may email questions to [email protected].

For more information, visit rd.usda.gov/fpep or farmers.gov/global-food-insecurity.

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