USDA announced $500 million for its 2026 FIELDS fertilizer-production program, with cost-share awards ranging from $15 million to $150 million. The application window ran from July 1 through August 17, 2026, and is now closed. The claim that USDA doubled funding is not supported by the cited figures: a 2022 USDA fertilizer-production announcement also described $500 million.
What is the USDA FIELDS program?
The Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program is a USDA Rural Development initiative intended to expand independent fertilizer production in the United States and give agricultural producers more domestic supply options. USDA describes eligible project types as upgrades or expansions to existing facilities, new domestic production facilities, shovel-ready projects that can increase supply, and on-site terminals or transportation infrastructure that improves supply-chain efficiency. USDA’s FIELDS program page provides the program’s terms.
How much funding was available, and does it double earlier funding?
USDA announced $500 million for the 2026 program and a competitive cost-share award range of $15 million to $150 million. Applicants were required to provide matching funds. Grants.gov identified the opportunity as RD-RBS-26-01-FIELDS, a discretionary grant with a cost-sharing or matching requirement and approximately 10 anticipated awards. These were anticipated awards, not a guarantee of the final number funded. USDA’s July 8, 2026 announcement and the Grants.gov opportunity listing give the funding details.
The “doubles funding” wording is not established by the cited announcements. USDA’s 2022 fertilizer-production funding announcement also described $500 million. The sources do not explain whether a different funding baseline was intended, so the two announced totals do not support describing the 2026 amount as a doubling. The 2022 USDA announcement provides the earlier figure.
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- OPERATION: Adjustable arm support on this seed, salt and fertilizer spreader helps provide maximum comfort
- HAND-HELD SPREADER: Perfect hand-held fertilizer, salt and seed spreader for small yards
- CAPACITY: A seed, fertilizer and salt spreader that holds up to 1,500 sq. ft. of Scotts lawn products for year-round lawn care
- USAGE: These hand spreaders for lawns are great for year-round use to seed, fertilize, salt and ice melt
- COVERAGE: These salt, fertilizer and seed spreaders for lawns are engineered for smooth, even coverage
Is the application period still open?
No. USDA lists the 2026 application period as July 1 through August 17, 2026, and marks it closed. Grants.gov lists a deadline of August 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The July 8 national and July 15 state-level announcements said applications were being accepted at the time they were published; those notices do not mean applications remain open. Check the USDA program page or Grants.gov listing for any later program updates.
What expenses and projects could the grant support?
USDA lists potential uses including facility construction or purchase, pre-development costs, working capital, modernization or expansion, process-manufacturing equipment, technology for improved processing or safety, and fertilizer logistics. Working capital and logistics cannot be the primary use of funds. The current notice of funding opportunity governs the complete eligibility rules, restrictions, and application requirements.
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- NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: Scotts spreader comes pre-calibrated and ready-to-use; use it year-round including as an ice melt spreader or salt spreader for snow
- CAPACITY: Broadcast spreader holds up to 15,000 sq. ft. of Scotts lawn products, and can be used as a lawn food, salt, ice melt or grass seed spreader
- OPERATION: These fertilizer spreaders for lawns feature a hopper and agitator designed for smooth product funneling and consistent coverage
- SIDE SHIELD: Scotts exclusive EdgeGuard Technology on these broadcast spreaders for lawns keeps lawn product off landscaping, driveways, and sidewalks
- BROADCAST SPREADER: Use the Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard DLX Broadcast Lawn Spreader to apply Scotts lawn care products, like grass fertilizer for lawns
The program page also describes eligible project concepts such as building new domestic capacity, expanding or upgrading existing production, and improving related logistics. An applicant would need to show how its project fits the program and satisfies the notice’s conditions; a project’s general connection to fertilizer alone does not establish eligibility.
What may strengthen an application?
USDA says it gives priority consideration to projects at advanced stages of development that are technically feasible, financially viable, and supported by other confirmed funding sources. For applicants comparing project readiness, those stated priorities make it useful to assess:
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- Lawn fertilizer spreader for evenly distributing grass seed, fertilizer, salt, and ice melt in outdoor areas
- Broadcast spreader can cover up to 5000 square feet in one load
- Multi-purpose garden spreader design with multi-gear operation and precision control
- Durable steel frame and plastic lawn spreader bin stands up to all-season weather use
- Easy assembly with release cable pre-installed
- Whether the project is sufficiently developed to proceed and has a credible implementation plan.
- Whether its technical design and expected production capacity are feasible.
- Whether the project’s finances are viable and matching funds are secured.
- How directly it expands domestic fertilizer production or strengthens supply-chain capacity.
These are factors to evaluate against the official notice, not a substitute for its full scoring criteria or eligibility requirements. The July 8 USDA announcement describes the priority consideration.
Have award decisions been announced?
The cited program materials establish the application deadline and anticipated award count, but they do not establish whether USDA has announced award decisions. Check USDA’s program page or the Grants.gov opportunity record for current status rather than treating the anticipated awards as completed grants.
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- 64-OUNCE BOTTLE: high-capacity poly bottle with a wide opening and easy screw top, quickly remove the lid to add your preferred seed, salt, fertilizer, etc. and simply screw back into place
- TURF AND SALT: year-round use; for steps, sidewalks and small paths in the winter; grass patches, shaded areas, gardens, and small sections the rest of the year
- 3 OPENINGS IN LID: twist lid to choose small, large and wide openings; each designed to fit different particulates like ice melt, salt, fertilizer, grass seed, sand and most pelletized products
- LARGE HANDLE: easy to grip, scoop and fill; accommodates small and large-sized hands, with or without gloves for use any time of the year
- PORTABLE: keep it on a shelf, in a closet or in the car and pull it out when it’s needed; you can even store it with product inside when not in use
What USDA says the program is intended to do
In a July 15, 2026 announcement, USDA Rural Development New Jersey State Director Rick Stern said the program was intended to strengthen the agricultural supply chain, give farmers greater stability, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and support rural communities. Those are stated goals; the announcement does not demonstrate that the program has already produced those outcomes. Read the July 15 USDA announcement.
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- LARGE HOPPER CAPACITY: 130 lb hopper covers up to 1/2 acre or 25,000 sq ft with fewer refills, making this pull-behind spreader ideal for larger lawn projects
- UNIVERSAL TRACTOR COMPATIBILITY: Universal hitch design connects easily to most riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors, including Craftsman, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, and more
- CONSISTENT WIDE SPREADING: Wide 10 ft to 12 ft spread width helps provide more even fertilizer and seed distribution with fewer passes across the lawn
- VERSATILE ALL-SEASON PERFORMANCE: Ideal for spreading grass seed, fertilizer, lawn treatments, salt, and ice melt to help maintain healthy lawns throughout the year
- DURABLE LONG-LASTING CONSTRUCTION: Built with 1 in steel tubing, enclosed gear house, poly hopper, spreader plate, and 13 in x 4 in pneumatic tires for reliable use
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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