Innovafeed Corporation along with the help of Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski announced $11.7 million in federal funding to construct a fertilizer production facility in Decatur, Illinois. The investment, provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development program, aims to expand domestic fertilizer production, addressing price hikes faced by American farmers and reducing food costs for families.
The funding is part of the USDA's Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), established to combat soaring fertilizer prices, which more than doubled between 2021 and 2022 due to factors such as the war in Ukraine and limited competition in the fertilizer industry. The Decatur facility will focus on producing a sustainable organic fertilizer made from insect manure, known as frass.
Once operational, the facility is expected to produce 60,250 metric tons of frass annually, benefiting over 2,325 specialty crop producers across the United States. The project also aims to create local jobs and strengthen agricultural supply chains, reducing vulnerabilities to global market fluctuations and trade disruptions.
This development highlights the importance of agriculture in Central and Southern Illinois and underscores ongoing efforts to support farmers and families through innovation and investment.
