HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-23 Correspondence - USDA - USDA Partners with Montana Company to Increase Innovative Domestic Fertilizer Production Through Investing in America AgendaFrom:USDA Rural Development MontanaTo:AgendaSubject:USDA Partners with Montana Company to Increase Innovative Domestic Fertilizer Production Through Investing inAmerica AgendaDate:Friday, June 23, 2023 10:01:39 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
US Department of Agriculture Rural Development - Together America Prospers
News Release
Contact: mark.mccann@usda.gov
(406) 585-2587
USDA Partners with Montana Company to Increase InnovativeDomestic Fertilizer Production Through Investing in AmericaAgenda
Bozeman, Mont., June 23, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced today USDA is
partnering with a Circle, Montana, business to increase innovative domestic fertilizer
production, create jobs in rural communities, and provide more options to local farmers.
Farmer’s Union Oil Company in Circle, Montana, received a $3,390,973 grant through the
Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) for expansion of a fertilizer processing
facility. This project will provide a local and affordable option for agriculture producers in a
four-county area looking for a custom formulated fertilizer product that is produced
domestically.
"Increasing domestic capacity in the production of agricultural products and investing in
strengthening our supply chain is critical to lowering costs for producers, advancing
innovation in the fertilizer industry, and sustaining rural economies here in Montana and
across the nation,” said Williams.
The Montana award is just one of several under Round One of funding, with $30 million
being awarded in seven states.
In 2022, USDA made $500 million available under FPEP to stimulate domestic
competition and address rising fertilizer costs caused by the war in Ukraine. The
Department received applications from more than 350 businesses seeking to increase
fertilizer production.
New Projects Under Consideration for Round Two
Because of strong demand for this program, the Commodity Credit Corporation is
providing up to $400 million in additional funding to finance more projects that will promote
competition in agricultural markets.
As part of this effort, USDA is asking for public comments on 66 projects eligible to receive
grants to increase fertilizer production. Montana currently has one project listed for
consideration during Round Two.
The Department will only consider projects that adhere to federal policies designed to
protect the environment and historic properties.
USDA is seeking comments that assess how well each applicant plans to:
Incorporate social, economic, and environmental considerations into decision-
making and planning processes.
Protect cultural and historic properties, including those on Tribal lands, from
potential impacts.
Comments must be submitted to FPEP@usda.gov by July 22. For more information, visit
https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental-studies/fpep-environmental-review-
comments.
USDA expects to announce final project selections in the coming months.
For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/fpep or https://www.farmers.gov/global-food-
insecurity.
The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program is one way the Biden-Harris Administration
is promoting fair competition, innovation and resiliency across food and agriculture and
combating the climate crisis by conserving and protecting our nation’s lands, biodiversity,
and natural resources, including soil, air, and water.
-30-
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
USDA Rural Development has six offices in Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls,
Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas
in Montana, call (406) 585-2587 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender
Questions?
Contact Us
STAY CONNECTED:
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences | Help
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any
unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law
and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please
notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
This email was sent to agenda@bozeman.net by USDA Rural Development · 1400 Independence Ave SW ·Washington DC 20250 · 800-670-6553