Fertilizer, Farming, and the Environment

To provide a growing world with food, clothing and shelter, agriculture uses natural resources - such as land, water and energy - in a sustainable, renewable process. In this way, agriculture is perhaps unique among major industries in its relationship to the environment, as it harnesses a natural process to create its output.

Fertilizer increases crop yields per acre, and produces quality
specialty crops like these blueberries, as well as on row crops.

Each day, farmers and those who serve them work with this natural process in a manner designed to produce a marketable output while preserving and protecting the environment. Farmers enjoy a close link to nature, one renewed every day. They, perhaps better than many others, recognize the need for stewardship and sustainable crop production practices.

In part because of its intimate relationship with the natural environment, the agricultural industry serving those farmers with the inputs they need also feels a special responsibility to practice stewardship. This means using the resources available in a way that offers maximum benefits and minimum adverse consequences to society and to the natural environment. For those providing fertilizer, this means making sure that products are safe to use, that the practices making up sound, responsible use are widely understood and followed.

The fertilizer industry adopts a sustainable approach within which manufacturers and producers meet the food and fiber production needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to further increase crop yields. This means making sure that all commercially produced fertilizers are safe, effective nutrient sources while ensuring that manufacturing and distribution of fertilizers are conducted in a safe manner, and used in an efficient way that maximizes crop yields and minimizes environmental impact.