USDA ANNOUNCES $500 MILLION FERTILIZER INVESTMENT PROGRAM

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new $500 million fertilizer investment program this week aimed at expanding domestic production, strengthening the fertilizer supply chain, and improving long-term access to critical inputs for American agriculture. The program, called the Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply Program, or FIELDS, will be administered through USDA Rural Development. It is intended to support projects that increase domestic production of nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulfur, and other key fertilizer inputs. FIELDS is aimed at entities that can build, expand, or operate fertilizer production and supply chain projects, including private businesses, cooperatives, nonprofits, Tribal entities, and state or local governments. Eligible uses may include new fertilizer facilities, expansion of existing facilities, equipment purchases, modernization, safety improvements, and certain logistics or storage investments.

USDA says it will prioritize projects that are shovel ready, financially viable, and capable of increasing domestic fertilizer production. That matters. Agriculture does not need another announcement that looks good on paper but never gets built. The value of this program will come down to whether these projects actually pencil out, get permitted, and put more fertilizer options into the market. The announcement is part of a broader federal effort to address fertilizer costs, domestic production, transportation flexibility, market competition, and permitting. EPA officials also stated they will work to expedite permitting while maintaining required environmental standards.

Key details for potential applicants:

Program: Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply Program
Funding: $500 million
Application window: July 1, 2026, through August 17, 2026
Application portal: Grants.gov
Program information: USDA Rural Development FIELDS Program page
Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Local suppliers, cooperatives, processors, port districts, or regional partners may have projects that qualify and could improve fertilizer access in agricultural communities.

To read more about the announcement, click here.