The grant will help Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) meet growing demand by increasing its production capacity at the company’s manufacturing facility in Aurora, Colo.

Regenerative agriculture pioneer Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) today announced that USDA Rural Development has awarded it a $3.8 million grant through the department's Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP).

FPEP provides grants to help high potential organizations increase or otherwise expand the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives and their availability in the United States.

The $3.8 million grant will enable AEA to continue growing its production and farmer impact and further leverage the potential of its newly launched, 55,000-square-foot production facility in Aurora, Colo., a suburb of Denver. This state-of-the-art facility houses all of the necessary equipment to efficiently produce AEA's plant nutrition products, formulated specifically for regenerative growers. The funding will allow the company to make facility upgrades and scale its workforce.

"Regenerative practices revitalize soil and provide a hopeful, more resilient path forward for farmers and our agricultural system," said Eric Girdler, CEO for AEA. "With the support of this grant, AEA is well-positioned to meet rapidly growing market demand for regenerative ag products and services. Our whole-solutions approach goes beyond symptoms and addresses root causes, providing actionable solutions that help growers confidently and successfully transition to regenerative farming."

AEA relocated its production base to Aurora in 2023 in order to streamline its product delivery, tighten delivery windows and reduce the company's environmental impact. By manufacturing in Aurora, AEA reduces its mileage to farmers and its distribution centers by more than 30 percent.

Since its founding, AEA has worked with more than 10,000 growers across four million acres in the United States and globally, successfully implementing regenerative agriculture systems.

About AEA

Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) puts the joy back into farming and helps farmers be successful by empowering them to grow crops that are more productive, resilient and profitable. The company does this by providing innovative, science-backed tools and solutions that can regenerate agriculture and food systems.

The company is dedicated to a whole-systems approach to revitalizing soil and plant health. This proven approach increases yields and crop performance, reduces or eliminates the need for pesticides and fertilizers, and generates immediate economic returns for farmers.

AEA's offerings include cutting-edge plant nutrition technology and analysis; expert agronomic expertise, guidance and consultation, informed by more than 18 years of data and on-farm experience; National Organic Program (NOP)-compliant biological products and fertilizers, plant micronutrients and macronutrients; and crop-management plans.