Legislators Consider Funding for Fertilizer Innovation

A bill supporting Minnesota-made fertilizer production was discussed in the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee. Introduced by Representative Nathan Nelson, the proposal seeks to establish a grant program to help convert co-products from existing manufacturing processes into viable fertilizers. Olivia, Minnesota, farmer Randy Tersteeg testified in favor of the bill, stressing the need to replenish soil nutrients. “If you don’t replace these nutrients, our soil becomes more depleted and depleted over time, and production will decrease.” Tersteeg highlighted Minnesota’s potential to utilize locally sourced materials instead of relying on foreign fertilizer imports from Canada, Russia, and Belarus. “Minnesota has a supply of many products that are produced as co-products of other streams,” he said, citing animal manure, calcium from sugar beet production, potassium from wood ash, and biological additives.  The bill remains under review by the committee.