MORRIS, Minn. – Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen announced the launch of the state’s Green Fertilizer Grant Program at the Green Ammonia Summit held Dec. 10 in Morris.

“MFU was thrilled to host the Agriculture Commissioner for this announcement and is optimistic about the future of green ammonia and its potential to support family farmers and rural communities,” said Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) President Gary Wertish. “The Green Ammonia Summit was an incredible opportunity to come together, discuss what’s happening around green ammonia and chart a course for future success.”

The Green Ammonia Summit brought together leaders from agriculture, energy, government and business at the University of Minnesota Morris to discuss the role of green ammonia in decarbonizing industries, promoting rural development and advancing sustainable agriculture. More than 115 people participated in the summit, underscoring the growing interest in green ammonia, which is produced using renewable energy sources. Green ammonia significantly reduces the greenhouse gas emissions associated with nitrogen fertilizer use.

Nitrogen fertilizer derived from fossil fuel accounts for up to 2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and contributes up to 35 percent of the carbon footprint of corn. The fertilizer industry is also heavily concentrated, with just four companies controlling over three quarters of the market. Regionally produced green ammonia offers the possibility of decarbonizing the agricultural sector while creating more competitive markets for farm inputs.

“Minnesotans collectively spend half a billion to a billion dollars a year on nitrogen fertilizer. So if we can capture those dollars and keep them in our rural communities, that makes a huge economic impact,” said Mike Reese, Director of Operations and the Renewable Hydrogen and Ammonia Research Lead at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris. “Being able to support the young people for jobs and economic opportunities, support young people going into farming. I think of my nine-year-old son, and I think this is something I want to do for him.”

Former North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, keynote speaker at the summit’s evening reception, highlighted how rural communities stand to benefit from local green ammonia production through job creation and enhanced economic resilience.

Cooperatives were identified as a key mechanism to ensure the economic benefits of fertilizer production support rural economies.

“If we are able to employ this new technology in a more democratic or diffuse economic system, like through cooperatives, it will create greater economic vitality in greater Minnesota,” said Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, chair of the Senate Agriculture, Broadband and Rural Development Committee, who authored the bill creating Minnesota’s Green Fertilizer Grant Program in 2023. “And with this economic vitality comes rejuvenation, not just for downtowns, but those communities as a whole.”

“If we can produce fertilizer here at home, it’s a win-win for the farmer, the economy, and all the people of Minnesota,” said Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, incoming co-chair of the Minnesota House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. Anderson co-authored the Green Fertilizer bill in the House.

About Minnesota Farmers Union

Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone. Learn more and join at www.mfu.org and follow MFU on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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Minnesota Farmers Union—Standing for Agriculture, Working for Farmers (www.mfu.org).