Agtegra Cooperative Named USDA Fertilizer Grant Recipient

Earlier today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Agtegra Cooperative a $3 million grant through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP). The grant enables awardees to increase or expand the manufacturing and processing of local fertilizer and nutrient alternatives for farmers.

Through this matching grant, Agtegra will be investing a total of $6 million in expanding its Prescription Agronomics business division. Prescription Agronomics consists of a starter fertilizer manufacturing facility located in Ipswich, South Dakota. This expansion will double the plant's manufacturing capacity by expanding production and storage space, including the addition of a new container packaging line and additional warehouse storage. The funds will also be used to add one 500,000-gallon liquid fertilizer storage tank at each of Agtegra's Kimball and McLaughlin agronomy facilities.

"Prescription Agronomics is an integral part of Agtegra Cooperative's fertilizer business and the Ipswich community," said Agtegra CEO Jason Klootwyk. "We look forward to starting construction on our Prescription Agronomics expansion project in 2025. Agtegra appreciates the financial support from USDA for this fertilizer expansion project, as well as all of the support from our strategic partners that assisted and supported Agtegra's application for this grant."

Agtegra partnered with the South Dakota Value Added Agricultural Development Center to apply for the FPEP grant and received letters of support from the Ipswich Development Corporation, mayor of Ipswich, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, South Dakota Agri-Business Association, South Dakota Association of Cooperatives, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and South Dakota Soybean Association.

"The Ipswich Development Corporation is supportive of this project that will further Ipswich's economic development," said Ipswich Development Corporation President Scott Kilber. "We're excited for the opportunity to expand this business in our rural community.

A copy of the USDA press release on the grant can be found online at: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/10/30/biden-harris-administration-makes-investments-strengthen-america