Sedron advances $360 million fertilizer projects in USDA funding process

Sedron’s planned fertilizer facilities in Indiana and Kansas have been selected to move forward in the USDA’s FIELDS program, putting up to $116.9 million in proposed federal funding on the table. The projects would recover nitrogen from dairy manure, expand domestic fertilizer supply and serve organic and specialty crop growers.

Why it matters: - Sedron’s projects would add domestic fertilizer production capacity at a time when the U.S. is trying to strengthen its fertilizer supply chain. - The two facilities are designed to turn dairy manure into usable crop nutrients, while also returning water and dry fertilizer to partner dairies. - The projects could support organic and specialty crop growers with a new source of liquid organic ammonium nitrate fertilizer.

What happened: - Sedron plans to build two fertilizer manufacturing facilities in Indiana and Kansas. - The projects were selected to advance in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply, or FIELDS, program. - USDA’s proposed funding for Sedron’s wholly owned subsidiary, Agriculture Project Holdco, LLC, totals about $116.9 million. - Sedron said the combined project investment is $360 million, the largest total investment among the eight USDA-selected projects. - The Indiana facility is planned for Fair Oaks, and the Kansas facility is planned for Twin Circle Dairy.

The details: - Together, the facilities would recover about 4,100 tons, or 8.2 million pounds, of nitrogen each year. - The recovered nitrogen would be delivered as organic liquid ammonium nitrate fertilizer. - Sedron said the output would be enough to fertilize more than 55,000 acres of organic and specialty crops each season. - Both facilities would also return clean water and a dry fertilizer for use on the farms. - The two sites would use long-term manure supply agreements. - Sedron’s patented Varcor® technology is already operating at Kinnard Farms in Casco, Wisconsin, and Curtis Creek Dairy in Fair Oaks, Indiana. - Those existing facilities recover more than 5 million pounds, or 2,500 tons, of organic nitrogen a year. - Sedron’s fertilizer is Organic Materials Review Institute, or OMRI, Listed for organic production. - The product reaches growers through agricultural retail and distribution channels.

Between the lines: - The FIELDS program is meant to fund independent domestic fertilizer production and give agricultural producers more options. - The project mix points to a broader strategy: use existing dairy operations as feedstock hubs and convert waste streams into saleable crop inputs. - If completed, the Indiana and Kansas facilities would extend Sedron’s footprint beyond its current operating sites and deepen its role in circular agriculture.

What’s next: - USDA review still has to finish before final agreements are signed. - Construction can start after those agreements are complete. - USDA’s proposed funding and Sedron and investor contributions would support planning, design, construction and commissioning. - More information is available in the USDA announcement.

The bottom line: - Sedron’s selection puts two large manure-to-fertilizer projects closer to financing, with the potential to expand domestic organic nitrogen supply and turn dairy waste into a commercial crop input.