The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues its commitment to fortify American agriculture, with Tom Vilsack highlighting substantial investments in domestic fertilizer production and double cropping. These endeavors align with the President’s Investing in America agenda, focused on bolstering agricultural output and global food security.
Vilsack made these pivotal announcements during his visit to Pernault Farms in Kankakee, Ill., a site actively engaged in double cropping. The USDA unveiled $52.6 million in awards as part of the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), financing 17 projects to propel domestic fertilizer manufacturing, encourage innovative fertilizer technologies, and reduce costs for farmers.
The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program, backed by USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation, commenced in 2022 with an initial $500 million allocation. Due to soaring demand, the funding was subsequently increased to $900 million in June 2023. To date, USDA has disbursed over $121 million across 33 projects, with further selections anticipated in the near future.
Examples of projects receiving funding in this announcement include Northstar Lime LLC in Crookston, Minnesota, True Organic Products Inc. in Boardman, Oregon, and Dairy Dreams in Casco, Wisconsin. These initiatives aim to develop alternative, organic fertilizers, enhance organic waste recycling, and significantly curtail greenhouse gas emissions from manure disposal.
Additionally, USDA has expanded insurance coverage for double cropping, supporting food production and cost reduction for American households. Double cropping enables farmers to cultivate a second crop on the same land within the same year, boosting productivity. The expansion of double crop insurance opportunities in nearly 1,500 counties in 2023 has already led to significant growth in insurance coverage for second crop acres.
USDA's unwavering commitment to these initiatives underscores its dedication to establishing a resilient, sustainable, and competitive agricultural economy, ultimately benefiting both farmers and global food supply chains.
Source : wisconsinagconnection