USDA Launches $500 Million FIELDS Program to Expand Domestic Fertilizer Production

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a new $500 million Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program aimed at expanding domestic fertilizer manufacturing, strengthening the U.S. fertilizer supply chain and improving long-term fertilizer availability for American farmers.

Announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, the program will be administered through USDA Rural Development using the authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Funding will support the construction and expansion of domestic fertilizer production facilities, with priority given to shovel-ready, financially viable projects that increase production of critical crop nutrients.

What Farmers Need to Know

The FIELDS Program is intended to increase domestic production of fertilizer ingredients, including nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulfur and other critical crop nutrients. According to USDA, the initiative is designed to strengthen competition, improve supply chain resilience and increase fertilizer availability over the long term.

Individual awards will range from $15 million to $150 million. USDA said funding will focus on projects that are ready to move forward, demonstrate financial strength, have realistic construction timelines and are capable of delivering measurable increases in fertilizer production.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2026. Additional information, including eligibility requirements and application materials, is available through USDA Rural Development.

Program Builds on Recent Fertilizer Initiatives

USDA said the FIELDS Program follows its review of more than 120 fertilizer projects inherited from the previous administration. The department worked with project developers, lenders, farmers and federal partners to identify construction and financing barriers and used those findings to develop the new program.

According to USDA, the initiative also complements several recent actions intended to strengthen fertilizer affordability and domestic production, including the temporary suspension of countervailing duties on certain phosphate fertilizer imports, the designation of phosphate and potash as critical minerals, transportation flexibility measures during supply disruptions and the creation of a dedicated USDA Agricultural Economist focused on fertilizer markets and crop inputs.

Secretary Rollins on the FIELDS Program

"For decades, American farmers were forced to rely on unstable foreign suppliers for one of the most important inputs needed to feed our nation. Today we are announcing a plan to end this consolidation and bring competition back to the American fertilizer industry," said Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. "Under President Trump's leadership, USDA is rebuilding America's fertilizer manufacturing base, strengthening supply chains and ensuring our producers have reliable and affordable access to the fertilizer they need to remain competitive. The previous administration chose to prioritize their radical climate agenda when searching for fertilizer projects and as result let this problem exacerbate by not getting shovels in the ground and only building 6% of their stated goal. The Trump Administration's FIELDS program is solely focused on producing fertilizer leading to lower costs for American farmers and consumers, as well as restoring a critical supply chain for our country. Farm security is national security."

Federal Officials Highlight Domestic Production

"American natural resource extraction is the safest and most environmentally friendly in the world. It makes zero sense to import fertilizer from foreign competitors when we can make it right here while fueling our economy and protecting human health and the environment," said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. "This is an obvious win-win for Americans farmers, families and businesses. The Trump EPA stands ready to help rebuild this vital arm of American manufacturing while ensuring each facility adheres to the strict environmental standards required by law."

"President Trump's promise to restore commonsense to America's energy and climate policy continues to deliver. While past leaders harmed America's agriculture industry with anti-hydrocarbon policies that drove up the cost of our food, the Trump administration will continue to take actions across the federal government to make fertilizer more accessible and affordable," said Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. "I'm proud to be working hand-in-hand with Secretary Rollins on these important initiatives."

Rollins added, "Food security is national security. A strong domestic fertilizer industry is essential to a strong agricultural economy. This investment will help ensure American farmers have access to a secure, reliable and domestically produced fertilizer supply for generations to come."