Eight projects aim to boost domestic fertilizer production and lower farm input costs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the selection of eight fertilizer manufacturing projects through its Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program. The initiative is designed to strengthen domestic fertilizer production, improve supply chain reliability, and increase fertilizer availability for American farmers.
The selected projects represent more than $1.34 billion in proposed investments, including approximately $573 million in USDA funding. The projects are expected to support the expansion of fertilizer manufacturing across several states and help reduce reliance on imported fertilizer products.
According to USDA, the program focuses on increasing domestic production capacity while encouraging private sector investment. Officials believe the investments will improve competition within the fertilizer industry and provide farmers with greater access to essential crop nutrients.
The fertilizer market has become increasingly concentrated over the years, with only a small number of companies controlling much of North America's fertilizer production capacity. USDA expects new projects to create additional supply sources and strengthen market competition.
"I was proud to be in Nebraska today to announce 1.3 billion dollars of investment in domestic fertilizer manufacturing right here in the United States," said Vice President J.D. Vance. "1.87 million farmers who are farming over 8.74 million acres all across the United States of America are going to have fertilizer at lower costs that is made by Americans."
Economic analysis conducted by USDA suggests that the new manufacturing capacity could help reduce fertilizer costs. Estimates indicate potential reductions of 4.4% in nitrogen fertilizer prices and 5.3% in potash prices once the facilities become fully operational.
The projects will support the production of key fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Together, they are expected to contribute approximately 1.08 million tons of annual fertilizer production capacity.
Among the selected projects is TalusAg, which plans to deploy modular ammonia manufacturing units across several Midwestern and Southern states. The project is expected to produce about 130,000 tons of anhydrous ammonia annually.
Peace Valley in Florida was selected to expand fertilizer manufacturing operations that produce products containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. The project is expected to add roughly 250,000 tons of annual production capacity.
PCI Nitrogen will modernize facilities in Texas and Oregon to increase production of ammonium sulfate and urea fertilizers. Meanwhile, Intrepid Potash plans to construct a sulfate of potash manufacturing facility in New Mexico that could produce approximately 220,000 tons annually.
"Farm security is national security. America cannot afford to depend on foreign nations for the fertilizer needed to grow our food and feed our families. Under President Trump's leadership, we are taking decisive action to rebuild America's fertilizer manufacturing base and bring critical production back to American soil," said Brooke L. Rollins.
She added, "By redirecting funding from failed Biden-era projects toward financially viable, shovel-ready investments, we are putting taxpayer dollars to work for American farmers, strengthening our national security, and ensuring that the next generation of producers has access to a reliable domestic fertilizer supply."
Additional projects include improvements to an ammonia facility in Virginia, expansion of sulfur fertilizer manufacturing in Illinois, growth of organic fertilizer production facilities in California, Oregon, and Arizona, and new fertilizer production facilities in Kansas and Indiana that will convert dairy manure into fertilizer products.
USDA officials say these investments are intended to support long-term fertilizer availability, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and improve supply chain stability for agriculture. The program places emphasis on projects that demonstrate financial readiness, private investment commitments, and measurable production outcomes.
The FIELDS Program is administered through USDA Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Officials believe the selected projects will help create a stronger domestic fertilizer industry while providing American farmers with a more reliable supply of crop nutrients in the years ahead.
Photo Credit: usda