DAVIS, Calif., May 23, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development California State Director Maria Gallegos Herrera today announced that USDA is investing $32 million in three California domestic fertilizer projects to strengthen competition for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers.
"The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA recognize California is a key contributor in our nation’s agricultural economy,” Gallegos Herrera said. “These investments will propel San Joaquin Valley and Inland Empire growers and innovators and bring agricultural jobs to local communities.”
4420 Serrano Drive LLC in Jurupa Valley will use a $25 million grant to build and equip a Black Soldier Fly food waste upcycling facility. The facility uses insects to recycle food waste into an organic nutrient fertilizer. Through this funding, the facility is expected to produce 11,400 tons annually, which will provide domestic fertilizer for approximately 90 producers in the region.
Corigin Solutions Inc. in Merced will use a $2.8 million grant to expand a carbon removal facility. This business converts agricultural waste into regenerative crop inputs. It’s expected this project will help remove 22,000 tons of CO2 pollution per year.
Gemperle Brothers dba Gemperle Fam Farms in Turlock will use a nearly $4 million grant to build a chicken litter pellet fertilizer facility. This locally owned and operated business plans to produce 50,000 tons of fertilizer within its first two years, providing a domestic fertilizer option for about 100 local producers.
In total, the Department announced today it is awarding $83 million in 12 states for projects through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP). This program provides grants to independent business owners to help them modernize equipment, adopt new technologies, build production plants and more.
These investments will boost domestic fertilizer production, strengthen competition, and lower costs for U.S. farmers. The projects will also help U.S. farmers increase independent, domestic fertilizer production.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ca. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.