Representatives Kaptur and Boyle Announce $2 Million USDA Rural Development Award for EnviroKure in Hicksville, OH and Philadelphia, PA
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy & Water, and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02) Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee announced a $2,036,112 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Grant through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) for EnviroKure of Hicksville, Ohio in Defiance County, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in Philadelphia County. This Rural Development investment will be used to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small business in developing alternative fertilizers to help expand the food production of the nation's farmers. EnviroKure has developed advanced aqueous composting technology to up-cycle chicken manure into a high-value liquid biofertilizer that directly improves plant and soil health, and increases crop productivity. These funds will be used to double annual production in Hicksville, OH, treating up to 3,000,000 acres. The total project cost is $4,999,382, with $2,036,111 provided by this major USDA Rural Development FPEP grant award.
“EnviroKure is a pioneering organization in the agriculture industry that produces biofertilizers to build healthy soil for farming while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and other crop inputs. Their facility expansion in Hicksville is critical to strengthen the bioeconomy for Northwest Ohio’s agriculture landscape,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “As a senior member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I have always fought for further investment in our farmers and growers across our region, and I continue to do so every single day in Washington. I am glad to work with Congressman Boyle on this important funding that will help both of our regions. I often say what America makes and grows, makes and grows America, and this award will help us to continue to make and grow more in Defiance County, and across our nation for generations to come.”
“As the Ranking Member on the House Budget Committee, I am fighting to ensure the American agriculture industry is equipped with the tools necessary to deliver for the American people,” said Congressman Boyle. “EnviroKure’s commitment to providing sustainable environmental solutions is a prime example of the entrepreneurship and creativity that takes place across my congressional district every day. EnviroKure’s work has revolutionized the fertilizer industry by converting chicken waste into profitable, high-value fertilizer that will make food healthier and more sustainable. It is projects precisely like this one that highlight the broad impact that the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) has on communities and businesses throughout the country.”
“I am proud of the work we do at EnviroKure to develop groundbreaking, environmentally friendly solutions that help farmers to enhance food production in a sustainable and profitable manner,” said Joseph Steck, EnviroKure’s President and founder. “The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program grant will enable us to expand production, accelerating our growth substantially.”
Founded in Philadelphia in 2011, EnviroKure has developed and commercialized climate-friendly technology that harnesses the underutilized potential of manure, enabling farmers to increase food production sustainably and profitably. EnviroKure’s products improve soil health and directly enhance plant health and productivity. The products have significant acceptance among US farmers, thanks to rigorous field testing across crop types. The Hicksville, OH production facility expansion will double biofertilizer production and utilize more than 20,000 tons of manure annually. More information about EnviroKure can be found by clicking here.
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