Global agriculture company Alltech has broken ground on a new US$4.6 million, 15,000-square-foot biofertilizer production facility at its global headquarters in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

The new site marks Alltech’s first U.S. manufacturing plant dedicated solely to crop science technologies, expanding its capacity to produce biological fertilizers and crop inputs for domestic and international markets.

Supported by a US$2.34 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), the company states the facility aims to strengthen domestic fertilizer production, reduce dependence on imports and provide U.S. growers with “natural, science-based alternatives to synthetic fertilizers.”

Modeled after Alltech Crop Science (ACS) facilities in Brazil and Spain, the Kentucky plant will produce more than 66,000 gallons of biological fertilizers per shift per month, while creating at least six new full-time jobs. The site will also manufacture over 30 natural crop products “designed to enhance soil health, stimulate root growth, and support a balanced soil microbiome.”

“This facility represents the next phase in scaling our biological innovations for agriculture,” said Dr. Steve Borst, vice president, Alltech Crop Science, who is leading the project. He noted the new manufacturing capacity will enable Alltech to better serve agricultural distributors, cooperatives, and retailers looking to diversify their fertilizer portfolios.

“Our goal is to drive value throughout the entire supply chain, all the way to the farmer. If the farmer doesn’t see value, nothing else matters,” he told New AG International. “While production capacity is notable, what truly matters is our ability to adapt, delivering the right solutions for each farmer’s challenge. That flexibility is what truly supports our customers.”

Alltech’s biofertilizer portfolio is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing crop management systems, supported by the company’s global network of more than 100 field agronomists and technology specialists.

“We collaborate directly with farmers to identify challenges and deliver tailored biological solutions,” Borst added. “In addition to research-based recommendations, our customers benefit from consistent, measurable results supported by our global technical team.”

The Kentucky facility will manufacture a full range of biological crop inputs, including biostimulants, biopesticides, and biological nutrition solutions. Several products have already received regulatory approvals, and Alltech is actively pursuing additional EPA registrations to help distributors and retailers market the products confidently to farmers seeking organic and sustainable certification.

“These registrations provide retailers and distributors greater confidence in product efficacy and the claims they make, helping them clearly communicate product performance and value to growers,” Borst said.

In the U.S., Alltech’s crop technologies are distributed exclusively through Helm Agro, supporting major retailers, independent dealers, and cooperatives. The expanded production will also enable ACS to supply biofertilizers globally, leveraging its existing international networks.

“For example, a bionematicide produced here in Kentucky can be supplied to Brazil, giving access to retailers a product we couldn’t serve with that category before,” Borst explained. “By strengthening our current partnerships and technical support networks, we’re ensuring these innovations are available – and effective – across key global markets.”

The project reinforces Alltech’s purpose of “Working Together for a Planet of Plenty,” which unites the agri-food community in developing science-based solutions that support productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship.

“Fermentation has always been at the heart of our business, and this facility allows us to apply that expertise in new ways to support crop health, productivity and sustainability,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We’re proud to strengthen our presence at our global headquarters in Kentucky, creating an innovation and manufacturing center that will serve U.S. farmers, strengthen our local community and continue to advance the science of agriculture.”