News Type: Press Releases

TFI Submits Comments on WOTUS, Urges Delay Until Pivotal SCOTUS Ruling

ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) this week submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding a proposed revised definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS).

“TFI members have a strong interest in ensuring that the definition of WOTUS, which governs the reach of federal regulatory authority under the CWA, is clearly defined and consistently implemented across the nation,” said TFI President & CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Many of our member companies must plan years in advance to obtain all necessary permits in accordance with the Act. Their operations therefore depend on regulatory certainty and predictability.”

TFI strongly supported the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) because of the certainty and predictability it provided to the fertilizer industry but was disappointed by the agencies’ decision to stop implementing the rule nationwide following a ruling by a judge in Arizona. Equally disappointing to the fertilizer industry was the agencies’ decision to propose a formal repeal of the NWPR and codify a case-by-case framework for determining jurisdiction of non-navigable waters that the agencies and nearly all other stakeholders previously agreed was unworkable.

Complicating matters further is a pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling to determine whether Justice Kennedy’s “significant nexus” is the proper test for asserting jurisdiction over wetlands that are adjacent to tributaries of “waters of the U.S.”

“The agencies should postpone all rulemaking proceedings until after an opinion has been issued on this case to reduce duplicated efforts on behalf of the agencies and stakeholder communities, reduce regulatory whiplash, and increase the chances of a final definition being sustainable,” Rosenbusch continued.

TFI is not alone in requesting a delay in agency rulemaking on WOTUS until the Supreme Court has issued their ruling. A letter led by Senator John Thune (R-SD) urging the EPA and USACE to stop the rulemaking process until a Supreme Court ruling garnered the signature of all fifty republican Senators and was sent to agency heads on Thursday, February 3rd.

“TFI recommends the agencies withdraw the Proposed Rule because it impermissibly strips the term “navigation” of any meaning. The NWPR’s definition should be used as the foundation for a durable definition,” Rosenbusch concluded. “And if the Proposed Rule is not withdrawn, at a minimum they should pause the current rulemaking effort until the Supreme Court rules on which test is most appropriate for determining the definition.”

TFI’s full comments can be found here.

 

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

Statement on North Carolina Fire

Our thoughts and prayers are with the citizens and first responders of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The fertilizer industry is committed to the safe handling of all fertilizer products and supports retailers of all sizes with handling and regulatory compliance resources through ResponsibleAg. ResponsibleAg is an industry-led initiative committed to helping agribusinesses properly store and handle farm input supplies. The program helps retailers ensure they are compliant with environmental, health, safety and security regulations to keep employees, customers and our communities safe. Since its founding in 2014, ResponsibleAg has audited more than 4,300 retail fertilizer facilities.

Resources:

 

TFI Applauds Hedlund’s Confirmation to STB

ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch released the following statement regarding Ms. Karen Hedlund’s Senate confirmation to serve as a Board Member of the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

“Congratulations to Karen Hedlund on her confirmation to serve as a Board Member of the STB. Ms. Hedlund has a wealth of transportation experience from her time serving the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) in various roles over more than a decade. TFI was pleased to support her confirmation and looks forward to working with her to promote rail competition and reliable service.”

 

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

The Fertilizer Institute Names 2022 4R Advocates

ARLINGTON, VA, Jan. 5, 2022 – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today selected five farmers and their fertilizer retailers as 4R Advocates, who are being recognized for their commitment to implementing fertilizer management practices that incorporate the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship and have demonstrated economic and environmental benefits.

“While 4R Nutrient Stewardship is a priority for the fertilizer industry, it’s also a tangible solution for thousands of farmers across America who are seeking fertilizer application practices that have real-world impact on their bottom line and their land,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI President and CEO. “We are proud of the industry’s retailers who work with growers to implement these practices at the field level.”

Now in its 11th year, the 4R Advocate program demonstrates the in-field successes of implementing 4R practices based on the right source, rate, time, and placement of fertilizer. 4R Nutrient Stewardship provides a framework to achieve in-field goals, such as increased production and profitability, enhanced environmental protection, and improved sustainability.

In 2021, the fertilizer industry committed to putting 70 million acres of cropland under 4R management by 2030. A 4R acre is defined as an acre of U.S. cropland under management using 4R practices, such as crediting organic sources and removal rates, variable rate technology, split applications, the use of cover crops, accounting for weather during application, etc.

4R Advocates recognized since 2012 collectively farm more than 270,000 acres on a variety of cropping systems in 25 states. The 2022 class of 4R Advocates represents 24,200 acres across five states and grow corn, soybean, wheat, peanuts, carrots, alfalfa, and hay.

This year’s Advocates include:

  • Brooks Garland, Lee Peanut Farms, Lee, Fla.
    Keith Shaw, Mayo Ag Services, Mayo, Fla.
     
  • Wyatt Harris, Harris Farms, Hepler, Kan.
    Shannon McClintock, Hepler AgChoice-MFA, Hepler, Kan.
     
  • Brandon & Sarah Kliethermes, CADA Farms, Bunceton, Mo.
    John Reigelsberger, AgriVision Solutions, Salisbury, Mo.
     
  • Jeff Lakner, Lakner Farms, Wessington, S.D.
    Payton Eagle, Agtegra Cooperative, Wolsey, S.D.
     
  • Benjamin Ellis, Jr., Champlain, Va.
    Erin Hardin, Southern States Cooperative, Warsaw, Va.

Throughout the year the Advocates will be included in TFI’s outreach efforts to promote fertilizer management practices by hosting farm field days, participating in conference panels, and speaking on behalf of 4Rs to their farming peers.

The 4R Advocate program is one of many facets of a high-priority campaign to raise awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. Fertilizer is a key component of sustainable crop production systems, and the fertilizer industry recognizes the need to efficiently utilize these nutrients. 4R Advocates and other farmers have partnered with The Fertilizer Institute to demonstrate how 4R practices have led to cost-efficiencies and improved environmental outcomes on their fields. More information and data on their efforts is available at 4RFarming.org.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.  

TFI Celebrates Infrastructure Passage

ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch late Friday applauded the House passage of the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.” The legislation authorizes a new highway bill and includes funding for roads, bridges, broadband and water navigation.

“Infrastructure investment is critical to the fertilizer industry because of the just-in-time nature of demand. Fertilizer needs to be delivered to growers exactly when and where they need it and there is not much room for error,” Rosenbusch said. “Bottlenecks due to road or bridge closures or delays due to crumbling locks and dams can negatively impact the timely delivery of necessary crop nutrients to farmers. Fertilizer is critical to strong yields and the success of America’s agricultural industry.

Surface transportation provisions of particular importance to the fertilizer industry are $110 billion for Highway programs, including $12.5 billion for the Bridge Investment Program, and the inclusion of the Drive Safe Act apprentice program and Hours of Service exemption. “All fertilizer utilized in the United States touches a truck at least once, meaning that reliable and safe highways, roads and bridges are of paramount importance,” Rosenbusch explained.

Rosenbusch next highlighted the $17 billion for waterway infrastructure and the $2.5 billion marked for inland waterways construction, explaining that “fertilizer moves year-round by rail, barge and pipeline and ocean vessels and there is much funding needed to address over $8 billion in backlog maintenance for inland waterways.”

Connecting rural America to broadband is also a priority of TFI, with Rosenbusch calling it essential for precision agriculture and the wider implementation of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices, a scientifically proven method of maximizing crop yields while significantly reducing environmental impacts.

“It has been a long road to get here, but we applaud the House and Senate for coming together and passing this much needed legislation,” Rosenbusch concluded. “Half of all crop yields are directly attributable to fertilizer. If growers don’t receive fertilizer in a timely manner, then there are potential consequences for food security and the environment. We urge President Biden to sign this landmark legislation as soon as it comes across his desk.”

TFI to House Ag Committee: Fertilizer is a Global Commodity Critical to Our Nation’s Food Supply Chain

ARLINGTON, VA – In testimony submitted to the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President & CEO Corey Rosenbusch highlighted the global nature of the fertilizer market and its critical role in feeding the world’s growing population.

“First of all, the fertilizer industry ensures that farmers receive the nutrients they need to enrich the soil and, in turn, grow the crops that feed our nation and the world,” Rosenbusch said. “Without fertilizer, we would have to make do with half of our current food supply.”

Pivoting to the subject of the committee hearing, “The Immediate Challenges to Our Nation’s Food Supply Chain,” Rosenbusch continued that fertilizer markets and related supply chain challenges must be considered within a global context, as demand for fertilizer is global in nature and fertilizers are used by farmers in nearly every country in the world.

“Fertilizers are truly global commodities, as these materials are transported from the limited number of countries which produce them to the global market which requires them,” Rosenbusch explained. “Nearly 44% of all fertilizers produced globally are exported. Moving this material from production facilities to farms requires virtually every mode of transportation and a carefully orchestrated system of logistics to serve farmers on a just-in-time basis.”

Prices have been rising for nearly all goods and services over the past 18-20 months, including fertilizer. “A variety of factors impact fertilizer markets, and most recently, are negatively impacting supply and raising costs,” Rosenbusch said. “Current factors that have most influenced the current fertilizer market are global demand for fertilizer, disruptive weather events, deferred facility maintenance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international trade sanctions and actions, increasing transportation costs, and the rising cost of natural gas.”

Domestically, the February winter ice storms and Hurricane Ida disrupted production in an area responsible for 60% of domestic ammonia production. Further eroding the ability of domestic manufacturers to recover from weather-related lost production was the deferral of necessary maintenance to multi-billion-dollar facilities. This maintenance was delayed to reduce potential exposure to COVID from additional personnel on site and will be ongoing through 2022, resulting in facility closures of 2-6 weeks.

International events have also affected fertilizer supply. “While the U.S. imports 86% of potash fertilizer from Canada and only 5% from Belarus, Belarus is a large supplier of potash and accounts for 21% of global production,” Rosenbusch said. “The sanctions on Belarus have had an impact on the global supply-demand balance and the price of fertilizer. Additionally, China has recently banned phosphate fertilizer exports and instituted tighter export controls on other fertilizer materials, including urea, further tightening the global nitrogen market.”

Rising energy costs affect the cost of fertilizer production, namely the key input of natural gas which accounts for 70-90% of the production cost of ammonia. “The U.S. has enjoyed low natural gas prices in recent years, but in the past six months domestic natural gas prices have increased by 224%,” explained Rosenbusch. “Natural gas prices in Europe are currently four times higher than in the U.S. and have forced facilities there to reduce output or idle plants, leading to lower availability and higher prices for farmers.”

Transportation costs have also risen dramatically, especially for certain types of fertilizer. “Rail rates for shipping anhydrous ammonia, the building block of all nitrogen fertilizers and one of the most efficient sources of nitrogen for farmers, have increased by 206% over the past twenty years,” said Rosenbusch. “That increase is more than triple the average increase for all other commodities combined.” Large cost-saving initiatives and questionable authority delegation to the rail industry, coupled with the fact that more than half of all fertilizer tonnage moves by rail, have raised shipping costs for fertilizer by millions of dollars.

“Many in the agricultural sector have experienced challenges related to crop inputs and fertilizer has not been spared,” Rosenbusch concluded. “We are proud of the industry’s efforts to ensure supply while dealing with changing global dynamics so that farmers in the U.S. and abroad are able to grow the food, fuel and fiber our growing world needs.”  

TFI’s full submitted testimony can be read by clicking here.

 

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

Next Gen Fertilizer Challenge Identifies New Fertilizer Technologies and Products

Arlington, Va., Oct. 18, 2021 – Today, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced the organizations and products selected under the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Collectively, the challenges aim to accelerate the development of innovative fertilizer product technologies and to increase the use of existing enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFS) that maintain or increase crop yields and reduce environmental impacts to air, land, and water.

“Innovation has been the hallmark of the fertilizer industry, leading us to the modern industry that helps feed the world,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI President and CEO. “Enhanced efficiency fertilizers and other new technologies play a big role in our ability to do this efficiently and sustainably, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the winners of this challenge.”

The organizations selected today are part of the second component of the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovation Challenge, which identifies novel pre-market technologies for fertilizers that can reduce the environmental effects from modern agriculture while maintaining or increasing crop yields.

Fertilizers facilitate the growth of crops at yields that provide sustained global food production. However, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers applied without consideration of the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship (source, rate, time, and place) can have harmful economic, environmental, and social effects. EEFs and other new product technologies and formulations control fertilizer release or alter reactions to increase nutrient uptake by the plant and reduce nutrient losses to the environment. These technologies can be an important addition to a conservation practice system that helps reduce row crop agriculture impacts on the environment, while maintaining or increasing agricultural productivity and profitability.

Winners include:

Tier 1 solutions ($17,500 prize):

  • Dr. Christopher Hendrickson, Aqua-Yield Operations LLC, Draper, Utah, for a nano-smart fertilizer.
  • Taylor Pursell, Pursell Agri-Tech, Sylacauga, Ala., for “Urea 2.0,” which replaces the conventional urea core with a customizable mixture of materials to provide fertilizers tailored to local needs.

Tier 2 solutions ($10,000 prize):

  • Dr. Kuide Qin, Verdesian Life Sciences, Cary, N.C., for using innovative mixture technologies to improve performance of industry-standard nitrapyrin for longer effectiveness, less nitrate leaching, and prevention of farm equipment corrosion.
  • Dr. Catherine Roue, Fertinagro Biotech International, Portage, Mich., for “Phosphate Liberation Booster” technology, which uses secretions from phosphate-starved plants to boost plant uptake so less fertilizer may be added, and legacy phosphorus can be accessed. 
  • Chandrika Varadachari, Agtec Innovations Inc., Los Altos, Calif., for “Smart-N,” which is a smart-fertilizer that releases nutrients on-demand by the crop, and which creates a chemical “cage” for urea that dissolves into plant nutrients.

Tier 3 solutions (Honorable mention):

  • Dr. Jaroslav Nisler, the Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic, for using derivatives of the plant growth hormone MTU, which helps create longer growth periods, protection from stress, larger plants, and potentially less nutrient loss per unit of fertilizer applied.
  • Dr. Leanne Gilbertson, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Penn., for creating a “protected fertilizer package,” which can carry nutrients through soil pores to the area around the plant roots.
  • Dr. Robert Neidermyer, Holganix LLC, Aston, Penn., for “Bio 800+,” a microbial inoculant that harnesses the power of over 800 species of soil microbes, kelp, and other soil amending ingredients to promote greater crop production and plant health.
  • Paul Mullins, Brandon Products Ltd., Ireland, for “BBS-1,” a biostimulant derived from seaweed extract that is applied as a fertilizer coating to improve nitrogen-uptake in root cells.

The first part of the challenge, “EEFs: Environmental and Agronomic Challenge,” identified existing EEFs currently on or near-market that meet or exceed certain environmental and agro-economic criteria. Those products were announced in March 2021 and are currently undergoing greenhouse trials at the International Fertilizer Development Center.

EPA and USDA are working in collaboration with TFI, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). The challenges were developed with input from stakeholders such as corn grower representatives, fertilizer companies, university researchers, and environmental and industry NGOs.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.

U.S. Fertilizer Industry Commits to 70 Million Acres Under 4R Nutrient Stewardship by 2030

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 14, 2021 – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) celebrated Global Fertilizer Day yesterday, a day when agricultural professionals gather to highlight the critical key role that fertilizer plays in meeting the growing global demand for nutritious and sustainably-grown food. Today, TFI looks to the future in announcing an industry-wide commitment to commit 70 million acres under 4R Nutrient Stewardship management by 2030. Acres managed using the 4R concept incorporate practices that use the right fertilizer source at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. When the 4Rs are put into practice, growers are able to achieve higher yields, lower input costs, and less nutrient losses to the environment

“The sustainable use of fertilizer is not only a priority for the fertilizer industry, but for millions of farmers across the nation,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI president and CEO. “A key goal for the industry is a commitment to a healthy environment, and setting this goal to improved nutrient stewardship is an important step in meeting that goal.”

Last year, TFI’s Board of Directors and retail membership resolved to establish a 4R Acre target where retail members would contribute 4R acreage information to collectively meet the 70-million-acre goal by 2030. A 4R acre is defined as an acre of U.S. cropland under management using 4R practices, such as crediting organic sources and removal rates, variable rate technology, split applications, the use of cover crops, accounting for weather during application, etc.

Fertilizer is a key component of sustainable crop production systems, and the fertilizer industry recognizes the need to use these nutrients efficiently. 4R Nutrient Stewardship is an innovative and science-based approach that offers enhanced environmental protection, increased production, increased farmer profitability, and improved sustainability. Practices based on the right source, rate, time, and placement of fertilizer application can lead to improved on-farm profitability, improved water quality, and reduced loss of greenhouse gases.

The world’s growing population depends on responsible agricultural practices to provide a steady supply of food. Modern fertilizer techniques, such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship, precision agriculture, and enhanced efficiency fertilizers, are an essential part of this sustainable future, and TFI is invested in promoting best practices to help farmers improve their productivity and food nutrition.

For more information on 4R Nutrient Stewardship, including farmer profitability case studies, visit 4RFarming.org.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.

 

 

 

TFI and Ag CEOs Talk WOTUS with EPA’s Regan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch on Friday joined other CEOs of agricultural groups for a discussion with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan on the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

“WOTUS is incredibly important for the fertilizer industry and our grower customers,” Rosenbusch said. “For years we have been advocating for a rule that provides clarity, certainty and a sustainable national water policy that both protects the environment and facilitates smart economic development.”

TFI has long shared EPA’s goal of improving water quality and continuously advocates for the adoption of nutrient management practices such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship (using the right fertilizer source, applied at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place) that enhance environmental protection while helping to ensure farmer profitability.

“We appreciate Administrator Regan’s efforts to engage with the agricultural community and to have these opportunities to provide input and feedback directly to the administration,” Rosenbusch continued. “WOTUS has gone back and forth over the last two administrations, but we strongly recommend that the Agency retain the Navigable Water Protection Rules definitions, which provide much-needed clarity and certainty for the fertilizer industry and are protective of water resources. However, we are confident that we can work with Administrator Regan’s pragmatic approach to provide any tweaks to the definitions that may be necessary for specific areas of the country.”

 

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

TFI’s 4R Advocate Program Now Accepting 2022 4R Advocate Nominations

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2021 – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is now accepting nominations for the 2022 4R Advocate awards. This program recognizes farmers and fertilizer retailers for their commitment to sound nutrient stewardship using the 4Rs, or the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, the right time, and in the right place. Through these 4R farming practices, farmers improve their return on their nutrient inputs and decrease environmental impact. The announcement was made by TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch today during the opening session of the InfoAg Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

The 4R Advocate program highlights farmers’ partnerships with their retailers or certified agronomists throughout the year and demonstrates to the fertilizer industry, the agricultural community, and policymakers the real-world benefits the 4Rs deliver on the farm and in communities.

Advocate nominations are due no later than Friday, October 31, 2021. Details, materials, and entry forms for retailers and industry partners to nominate farmers are available online at nutrientstewardship.org/advocates/become-an-advocate/. Entry forms offer easy directions for farmers and retailers to document their efforts to apply the 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles and to chart results. Applicants can also read previous winners’ stories on the same website.

The 2022 Advocates will spend the next year supporting TFI-sponsored 4R activities, as well as serve as 4R representatives within their businesses and communities during educational events and special presentations.

The 2022 4R Advocate winners will be announced in mid-December. They will participate in an all-expense-paid trip to the 2021 Commodity Classic, scheduled for March 10-12, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana. TFI will honor the 4R Advocate growers and nominating retailers during an awards banquet that takes place during the event.

To date, 100 4R Advocates from 25 states, representing nearly one-quarter million acres have been recognized. They grow crops that include apples, alfalfa, cabbage, collard greens, corn, cotton, hops, peanuts, rice, soybeans, strawberries, tomatoes, and more.

The 4R Advocate program is one of many facets of a high-priority campaign to raise awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. Fertilizer is a key component of sustainable crop production systems, and the fertilizer industry recognizes the need to efficiently utilize these nutrients. 4R Advocates and other farmers have partnered with The Fertilizer Institute to demonstrate how 4R practices have led to cost-efficiencies and improved environmental outcomes on their fields. More information and data on their efforts is available at 4RFarming.org.

As 4R Nutrient Stewardship management practices grow in popularity among farmers, the industry has gained additional support for the practices from allied industry groups such as Certified Crop Advisors, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and The Nature Conservancy.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI serves its members through legislative, educational, technical and economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.