Homegrown Fertilizer Act

The Homegrown Fertilizer Act proposes to establish a new financial assistance program within the Department of Agriculture to boost the domestic production of fertilizer. Under this plan, the Secretary of Agriculture would be authorized to provide grants and direct or guaranteed loans to eligible entities for the manufacturing, processing, and storage of fertilizers and alternative nutrients. The bill specifically aims to support small and mid-sized producers to increase competition in a market currently dominated by a few large companies.

If enacted, the bill would prioritize projects that use innovative production methods, dedicate capacity to U.S. agricultural needs, and demonstrate the potential to reduce price volatility for farmers. Funding could be used for a variety of purposes, including building new facilities, modernizing existing equipment, hiring and training workers, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. To ensure the program benefits smaller competitors, entities that already hold a major market share would generally be ineligible for this assistance.