On October 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the winners of the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge, the second of a two-part, joint EPA-US Department of Agriculture Partnership and Competition on Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers to Advance Agricultural Sustainability in the United States.

The goal of the competition is to improve the efficiency of fertilizers to increase crop yields while reducing the impacts of fertilizers on the environment.

Two individuals from organizations in Pennsylvania won honorable mention--

-- Dr. Leanne Gilbertson, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Penn., for creating a “protected fertilizer package,” which can carry nutrients through soil pores to the area around the plant roots.

-- Dr. Robert Neidermyer, Holganix LLC, Aston, Penn., for “Bio 800+,” a microbial inoculant that harnesses the power of over 800 species of soil microbes, kelp, and other soil amending ingredients to promote greater crop production and plant health.

“The goal of the challenge is to develop and use innovative and affordable technologies to reduce environmental impacts of modern agriculture on our air, land, and water, while maintaining agricultural productivity and profitability,” said Wayne Cascio, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for science for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “We are excited about the possibilities and continued new work in this area.”

“Farmers, ranchers, and foresters are well-positioned to be leaders in tackling climate change and other environmental effects through technological innovation,” said Acting USDA Chief Scientist Hubert Hamer. “Through programs like the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge, USDA is partnering with the private sector to find new climate-smart solutions that are good for farmers and good for the environment.”

Click Here for more information on all winners.

[Posted: October 20, 2021]

10/25/2021