November 26, 2024 – Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski has announced $11.7 million in federal funding for Innovafeed Corporation to construct a fertilizer production facility in Decatur, IL.
By expanding domestic fertilizer production, this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development investment will combat fertilizer price hikes faced by American farmers, as well as lower food costs faced by families in the grocery store.
“In Central and Southern Illinois, agriculture is the lifeblood of our economy and our communities. But agriculture is also uniquely vulnerable to fluctuations in global markets and supply chains caused by war, political instability and trade policy,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “That’s why I’m thrilled to announce $11.7 million in federal funding to produce fertilizer right here in Decatur. This investment will not only create local jobs, but also combat rising fertilizer prices to lower costs for farmers and families alike.”
This funding is part of the United State Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) and will support the production of a sustainable organic fertilizer made from insect manure called frass. The USDA created FPEP to address rising fertilizer prices, which have more than doubled between 2021 and 2022 due to a variety of factors, such as war in Ukraine and a lack of competition in the fertilizer industry.
Innovafeed Corporation’s new facility is expected to yield 60,250 metric tons of frass annually which will be used by more than 2,325 specialty crop producers across the country.
