Specialty fertilizer manufacturers Ostara Ltd., St. Louis, and Pursell Agri-Tech LLC, Sylacauga, Ala., topped the list of the eight companies that received a total of $29 million in the USDA’s first round of its Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP). Some 21 companies were under consideration (GM Jan. 13, p. 1). The first round focused on projects that can come online in the near term.
In total, USDA has allotted $500 million for the FPEP. On March 10, it said that so far it has received $3 billion in applications from more than 350 independent businesses from 47 states and two territories. FPEP supports fertilizer production that is independent, made-in-America, innovative, sustainable, and farmer-focused.
Ostara was awarded $7.57 million to fund its St. Louis fertilizer manufacturing site, which is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2023, in time for growers to apply Crystal Green® this fall. At capacity, the facility plans to produce 200,000 st/y. The product is currently available through retailers across North America.
“Our team is honored to receive the USDA grant and will use the funds to increase US-based production of the most efficient phosphate fertilizer on the market, Crystal Green,” said Ostara CEO Kerry Cebul. “Ostara’s efficient and sustainable phosphate fertilizer, Crystal Green (5-28-0 with 10%Mg), aligns perfectly with the goals of the USDA grant program.”
“Crystal Green checks every box of the USDA program’s criteria and is the only granular phosphate fertilizer available on the market to deliver superior agronomic performance while protecting the environment,” added Ron Restum, Ostara Chief Commercial Officer. “The unique organic acid solubility of Crystal Green keeps nutrients where they are needed and available for maximized crop performance without nutrient loss due to soil tie-up, runoff, and leaching. Expanding production will be very welcomed by the ag community.”
Pursell Agri-Tech will receive $5 million. The company will use the funds for working capital that will increase its inventory by 40,000 st/y. It said each ton of its controlled release fertilizer (CRF) effectively doubles the nutrient benefit of a ton of fertilizer, making the 40,000 st increase the equivalent of 80,000 st of uncoated fertilizer per year. The company said the funds could be put to use beginning this spring, with farmers realizing the benefit of increased fertilizer availability almost immediately.
The other six in order of the grant award amount, included:
Palindromes Inc., Columbia, Mo., will use $4.9 million to expand its anaerobic digestion and renewable energy production system. The project entails the conversion of wet organic wastes of animal manure, meat processing waste, and food wastes into dried organic fertilizer and soil amendments. Electricity co-product is generated from the biogases.
Earth Peak Organics, Columbus, Ohio, will utilize $3.34 million to expand its current applications of aerobic food waste digestion technology to convert food waste into a natural fertilizer product.
Table to Farm Compost LLC, Durango, Colo., will take its $2.61 million to increase the production of locally produced compost to support agricultural production between December 2022-December 2027. The company has received permitting approval to build a Class II commercial compost facility and will use the funds to purchase land, equipment for carbon and nitrogen feedstocks, working capital for expansion, and construction and installation of power.
Perfect Blend LLC, Bellevue, Wash., will use $2.59 million to expand and increase its ability to manufacture and process raw manure and fish waste into fertilizer using its patented technology. The project will replace a stainless-steel dryer drum and construct a liquid fertilizer blending station and storage area at the facility.
Black Earth Compost LLC, Gloucester, Mass., will receive $1.76 million to help it construct an indoor compost facility that converts stranded nutrients back into a stable supply of usable nutrients in the form of compost. The company would convert its facility to produce a compost tailored for a new market of larger agricultural producers outside of metropolitan population centers. The new value-added process includes compost drying and screening equipment to get larger amounts of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliant, nutrient-rich compost on each truck, which can economically travel deeper into agricultural areas.
Elm Dirt LLC, Grandview, Mo., garnered $1.3 million to expand production of organic microbe fertilizer from 8,000 gallons per week to 120,000 gallons per week. Products are based on worm castings and are a proprietary blend of microbes that include nitrogen fixing microbes, phosphorus solubilizing microbes, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria.