USDA launches $500 million FIELDS program to expand U.S. fertilizer production

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched the $500 million Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program to accelerate domestic fertilizer manufacturing and strengthen the agricultural supply chain. Announced on July 1 by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the program will offer grants from $15 million to $150 million for building and expanding fertilizer production facilities nationwide.

Funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation and administered by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service, the program will prioritize financially viable, shovel-ready projects that can increase production of nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulfur, and other essential crop nutrients. USDA stated the initiative follows a review of over 120 fertilizer projects from the previous administration and will focus on projects with realistic timelines, strong financing, and measurable outcomes.

The FIELDS program is part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to increase domestic fertilizer production and lower costs for farmers. Recent actions include suspending countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports, designating phosphate and potash as critical minerals, introducing measures to improve competition in agricultural input markets, expanding transportation flexibility during supply disruptions, and appointing USDA’s first agricultural economist focused on fertilizer markets. Applications for the FIELDS program are open through August 15, 2026. USDA aims to improve long-term fertilizer availability and strengthen the resilience of the U.S. supply chain.