Deerfield Ag Services broke ground on a new dry fertilizer building Oct. 9, which will significantly increase capacity, streamline operations and improve the ease of loading for customers, according to the company.

The new building, located in the back of the main branch at 9041 U.S. 224 in Deerfield, Ohio, will hold up to 3,100 tons of fertilizer, a dramatic increase from the current building’s capacity of 700 tons.

This expanded storage will allow for quicker turnarounds and better service to local farmers and agricultural businesses, according to the independently owned ag service and grain company.

Efficiency is at the core of the new facility, featuring seven bays and a cutting-edge automated declining weight system.

“The new building will be a game-changer for our operations,” says Justin Gibson, agronomy manager at Deerfield Ag Services. “With all the products already in hoppers, we can tell the system exactly what mix is needed, and it will automatically convey the right blend, drastically improving our loading times.”

The new system will reduce the time to load a semitruck from 45 minutes to only 12 minutes, greatly reducing wait times and ensuring no long lines for customers. The building is estimated to be completed by spring.

Grants provide help for startup ag businesses

Young professionals and entrepreneurs in the ag industry who are looking to secure startup funds for a new business now have the backing of Farm Credit Mid-America.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has formed a partnership with Farm Credit Mid-America to sustain its Growing Tomorrow Grant. The grants aim to inspire, encourage and nurture young agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs as they develop innovative solutions facing agriculture.

Farm Credit Mid-America has committed $250,000 over the next five years to support the Growing Tomorrow Grant and help it achieve its vision. 

Launched earlier this year, the grant program was created by Ohio Farm Bureau Northeast Regional Trustee and Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation board of directors member Mike Boyert and his wife, Patti.

Their vision is to empower young farmers and agribusiness professionals to develop creative and transformative agricultural solutions, strengthen public understanding of agriculture, and ensure the sustainability and vitality of agricultural communities.

“The excitement young people have to get involved in agriculture is often met with an equally daunting list of challenges to get started, with financial hurdles often topping that list,” says Kelly Burns, executive director of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. “The idea of the Growing Tomorrow Grant is to lessen that financial burden and give young farmers and entrepreneurs an opportunity to transform their enthusiasm into a true opportunity of a lifetime.”

The Growing Tomorrow Grant provides grants to new or early-stage agricultural businesses. Grants focus on supporting, among other activities:

Young professionals and entrepreneurs who are looking to secure startup funds for a new business can get more information by visiting ofb.ag/growingtomorrowgrant.