USDA recently opened a half billion-dollar program to improve domestic production of fertilizer. It will roll out over two phases.

Mark Gebhards, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities with the Illinois Farm Bureau says he’s hopeful early dollars can be used improve storage and distribution – something Illinois is in a perfect place to benefit from.

Grants starting a million dollars are opening soon and the second phase of funding is planning to address the need for long term domestic production of fertilizers.