Trump’s $500m FIELDS push for U.S. fertilizer

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched the $500 million Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Programme to expand domestic fertilizer manufacturing and reinforce the U.S. fertilizer supply chain. The scheme will fund “shovel ready, financially viable” projects that can quickly increase production of nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulphur and other key crop nutrients, with individual awards of $15 million to $150 million.

FIELDS follows the 29 June emergency move by President Donald Trump to suspend certain anti dumping and countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco for up to eight months to secure supply during the planting and growing season. In that earlier action, the White House cited disruptions in global phosphate markets, high domestic DAP and MAP prices and the need to ensure adequate fertilizer availability for U.S. farmers. Together, the duty suspension and the new investment programme form the core of the administration’s fertilizer strategy: short term relief via increased Moroccan imports, and medium to long term relief via new and expanded U.S. production capacity.

Backed by Commodity Credit Corporation authorities, FIELDS will support construction and expansion of domestic fertilizer plants, with funding focused on implementation ready projects that have strong financing, realistic construction timelines and clear production targets. USDA says the programme will back facilities producing key nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphate and potash, and is built around six themes: Made in America, Independent and Competitive, Farmer Focused, Innovative, Energy Dominant and Secure, and Capable of Delivering Measurable Production Increases.

“A strong domestic fertilizer industry is essential to a strong agricultural economy,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “This investment will help ensure American farmers have access to a secure, reliable, and domestically produced fertilizer supply for generations to come.”

Applications for FIELDS funding must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. on 15 August 2026, with full eligibility and application details available from USDA Rural Development.