News & Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

CONTACTS:

Greg Hoggard, Assistant Director

NCDA&CS Marketing Division

919-707-3119; gregory.hoggard@ncagr.gov

RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced the second round of awards from the North Carolina Agricultural Manufacturing and Processing Initiative. These $6.6 million in awards focus on the expansion of current operations to use more North Carolina farm products and reduce costs and burdens for North Carolina farmers and growers. These six projects benefit peanut, rice, barley, and cucumber farmers and livestock growers. These awards bring the total of NCAMPI grants awarded to $19 million, exhausting funds available for the program.

“Our farmers and growers need more options close by to process and distribute their products,” Troxler said. “These NCAMPI products will increase farmer opportunities, reduce their costs, and result in more North Carolina jobs and private investment. I’m appreciative of the confidence the General Assembly placed in the department to administer this new initiative and look forward to continuing support to meet the strong demand and obvious need for the program.”

NCDA&CS administers the NCAMPI program with funding provided by the General Assembly to increase North Carolina agricultural manufacturing and food processing capacity.

Following are the December 2024 grant recipients and projects, in alphabetical order by county:

• Mt. Olive Pickles of Duplin County -- $3 million for pasteurizer
• Sandy Land Peanut of Hertford County -- $1,319,652 for peanut processing
• Tidewater Grain of Pamlico County -- $180,000 for grain storage bins
• Harpley’s of Randolph County -- $642,000 for meat processing
• Carolina Malt House of Rowan County -- $750,000 for malting barley
• Phinite of Sampson County -- $750,000 for fertilizer manufacturing

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ABOUT PHINITE, INC.

Phinite, Inc. is a leader in agricultural technology and sustainable fertilizer manufacturing. In October 2024, the company announced plans to establish its next-generation manufacturing plant in Sampson County. The company plans to invest approximately $5.5 million, and create twenty-three new jobs. in Turkey, NC. The new facility will enhance Phinite’s capabilities in producing its groundbreaking biofertilizer, which transforms livestock manure into a sustainable, odorless fertilizer that benefits farmers and the environment alike.

Jordan Phasey, CEO of Phinite stated, “our new facility will not only expand our production capacity but will also allow us to implement cutting-edge technology that aligns with our mission to create sustainably produced fertilizer products from livestock waste. “With the support of the NC Department of Agriculture, we are taking an important step toward ensuring that farmers have access to the cutting-edge waste management solutions they need, which in turn we’re able to manufacture into a high-quality, regenerative fertilizer.”

Phinite, Inc. will occupy approximately 69,000 square feet of the former Allen Canning Company facility located West of Turkey, NC. The company chose the site due to its proximity to Interstate 40 and its access to rail services provided by CSX.

On October 17, 2024, former North Carolina Governor, Roy Cooper announced that Phinite, Inc. was awarded a Building Reuse Grant in the amount of $180,000, to support the up-fit and repurpose of the 69,000 square-foot building located in Sampson County.

Phinite’s innovative manufacturing process leverages advanced robotic technology and sustainable drying processes, to create a product that not only addresses the urgent issue of phosphorus depletion but also promotes environmental stewardship. The new facility will play a crucial role in producing a fertilizer that helps improve soil health, enhance crop yields, and provide a reliable revenue stream for farmers.

The biofertilizer produced at the plant is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional fertilizers, including odor, uneven application, and environmental impact. Phinite’s proprietary drying process results in a product that is easy to transport, store, and apply, making it a game changer for farmers seeking sustainable solutions.

“As Phinite continues to grow, we remain dedicated to collaborating with agricultural partners, farmers and local communities to foster a more sustainable future for farming,” stated Phasey.

For more information about Phinite’s innovative Biofertilizer, CLICK HERE.