EPA and USDA Launch Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges
Two federal agencies—EPA and USDA—have announced a public-private partnership to accelerate the use and development of fertilizer technologies targeting environmental stewardship while maintaining or improving crop yields.
The program is called the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, and it includes two challenges focusing on nitrogen and phosphorus:
- The Environmental and Agronomic Challenge will recognize existing Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers achieving environmental and agronomic criteria while reducing nutrient losses to the environment by controlling fertilizer release or altering reactions to reduce losses. Winners will be evaluated by an expert panel and receive recognition from EPA, USDA, and other collaborators and participants. Entries are due by Oct. 30.
- The Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge will award each winner $10,000. This challenge aims to generate new concepts for novel technologies that can help address environmental concerns surrounding agriculture practices while maintaining or increasing crop yields. Entries are due to by Nov. 30.
When launching this program, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said these challenges intend to spark innovations that will keep fertilizers where they are needed.
“When other nations look for the best ag technology and expertise, they look here to the US,” he said.
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue noted the collaboration that formed to make these challenges a reality.
“I’m not sure America has seen a more collaborative effort between USDA and EPA— to support farmers and ranchers and protect our environment,” he said.
Full details on these programs are available on the EPA website.
The Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges have been developed in partnership with The Fertilizer Institute, The International Fertilizer Development Center, The National Corn Growers Association, and The Nature Conservancy.
Lara Moody with TFI said during the program announcement that “this builds on conservation practices and 4R nutrient stewardship.”
