By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Director for Rural Development, Christy Davis, announced an investment of $2.3 million to expand dry fertilizer production in Columbus, Kansas.
This investment is part of the USDA’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), which supports facilities in modernizing equipment, adopting new technologies, and expanding production capacity to meet the growing needs of the agricultural industry.
“When we invest in domestic fertilizer production, we drive down input costs and increase options for farmers,” said Davis. “In-state fertilizer production creates Kansas jobs.”
The investment will go towards the Farmers' Cooperative, a member-owned cooperative in Columbus. The grant of $2,311,391 will allow the cooperative to expand its existing dry fertilizer facility.
The expansion includes additional storage and processing capacity, which will improve order processing efficiency and provide additional services. These services will include dust suppression to reduce runoff, further enhancing the sustainability of operations.
This expansion will increase the facility's dry fertilizer production capacity to 24,500 tons per year, helping meet the growing demand for fertilizer in the region.
The expansion is expected to benefit farmers by lowering input costs and providing greater access to locally produced fertilizer, which is essential for crop production. By expanding production locally, the project also creates jobs and strengthens the agricultural economy in Kansas.
The USDA’s investment through the FPEP program is a key step in supporting agricultural infrastructure and fostering the growth of local farming communities.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Kansas, Business