Membership FAQs

TFI is the leading voice of the U.S. fertilizer industry, advocating for science-based policy, supporting innovation, and protecting the industry’s license to operate.  

Membership gives your company a seat at the table on the issues that matter most, from regulatory and legislative affairs to sustainability, transportation, and trade. It also connects you with a network of industry peers, resources, and opportunities to stay informed and engaged.  

TFI membership is open to companies involved in any part of the fertilizer supply chain and companies providing a product or services to the fertilizer industry. We welcome both U.S.-based and international companies, including startups and new ventures that plan to enter the U.S. fertilizer market but haven’t started selling product yet. TFI members include and are not limited to companies in the following activities: 

• Directly related to fertilizer including macro-, secondary, and micro-nutrients, enhanced efficiency fertilizer, feedgrade phosphates, or other fertilizer technology products including, without limitation, additives, inhibitors, stabilizers, or other technologies used with or in combination with commercial fertilizer nutrients and any other amendments to plant nutrients that enhance nutrient update and performance: 

• Mining 

• Manufacturing 

• Wholesaling and Distributing 

• Agricultural Retailing 

• Importing and Exporting 

• Which offer a product or service to the fertilizer industry including: 

• Transportation providers 

• Lending institutions 

• Equipment dealers 

• Engineering companies 

• Laboratories 

• Suppliers 

• And other service providers offering support through research, logistics, consulting, and/or technology.   

There are two categories of TFI’s membership, Regular members and Associate members.
Regular members either sell or plan to sell fertilizer products within the United States. Regular members’ dues are calculated based on the company’s tons imported, produced, and sold at wholesale and retail during the previous year. There are different dues rates for nutrient tons imported, produced, and sold at wholesale and retail. With tonnage from manufacturing assessed at the highest rate, and retail tonnage is assessed at the lowest rate.  

Associate members don’t sell fertilizer, but provide products or services to the fertilizer industry. Associate members flat rate dues can be supplemented by a menu of custom services, such as access to TFI’s statistical reports, branding opportunities at TFI events, and more.  

TFI’s Executive Committee (representatives from member companies) sets dues rates on an annual basis. 

A task force of TFI members recommended the process of calculating dues based on tonnage in 2005. The task force cited the following principles as the basis for TFI’s dues structure: 

• Equitable to all members, 

• Operational transparency, 

• Budgeting predictability, and 

• Revenue stability 

The formula to calculate dues based on tonnages was unanimously approved by TFI’s Board of Directors in September 2005 and since then there have been various modifications to ensure TFI membership is accessible to all companies across the fertilizer value chain. Dues are calculated based on information submitted by member companies to the TFI Member Dues Survey annually.

Nutrient tons refers only to the weight of the actual nutrients in fertilizer (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium).  Product tons are based on the total weight of the fertilizer as it’s sold, including both nutrients and other materials.  

If your business primarily operates in product tons, such as a retailer, you can utilize TFI’s Conversion Calculator to convert your product tons into nutrient tons to support filling out the dues survey.  

As the voice of the fertilizer industry on Capitol Hill, it is important that TFI membership include voices from all sectors across the fertilizer value chain. Companies serving various sectors within the fertilizer industry are encouraged to join. Including, without limitation, companies including macro-, secondary, and micro-nutrients, enhanced efficiency fertilizer, feedgrade phosphates, or other fertilizer technology products including, without limitation, additives, inhibitors, stabilizers, or other technologies used with or in combination with commercial fertilizer nutrients and any other amendments to plant nutrients that enhance nutrient update and performance 

Membership dues are based on your company’s role and size within the industry. Our team will work with you to determine the appropriate membership category and corresponding dues level.

Getting started is simple: 

1. Submit a membership inquiry via our online form.  

1. We’ll follow up with a quick conversation to learn about your company and walk you through the benefits and dues structure. 

1. Once you confirm your commitment to membership, our team will send you a dues invoice for the current membership year.  

1. Once your dues invoice is paid and processed, your team will gain immediate access to all member resources, communications, and events. 

As soon as a new member’s dues payment is processed by TFI, everyone at the new member company is eligible to start receiving member benefits. To ensure your colleagues have access to valuable member benefits—ensure they have created an account on www.tfi.org.    

Review Our Members page or contact Bella Shain, Manager of Membership & Sales at [email protected] 

Members gain access to: 

• Timely updates and insights on policy, regulation, and market trends 

• Opportunities to shape federal and state policy through advocacy efforts 

• Industry data, research reports, and sustainability tools 

• Preferred pricing for participation in TFI events and programs 

• Recognition and visibility through TFI platforms and initiatives 
• A direct voice in shaping the future of the fertilizer industry  

TFI membership is organization-wide, so all employees at your company are eligible to receive member benefits. There is no limit to how many individuals from your company can take advantage of these benefits.    

Yes, there are some differences between Regular member and Associate member benefits, but many are shared. The key differences typically involve areas like eligibility for certain committee participation and default access to TFI’s statistical reports. However, both Regular and Associate Members enjoy core benefits such as discounted event registration and program fees, access to TFI’s members-only Resource Library, regular communications on market insights and advocacy efforts, and more.  

TFI works on your behalf with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders to promote science-based policies that protect fertilizer production, distribution, and use. We advocate for efficient transportation systems, responsible environmental regulations, a fair and predictable trade environment, and policies that recognize the vital role of fertilizer in global food security.  

Yes. One of the key benefits of membership is active participation in TFI’s committees, working groups, and task forces. These forums give you the opportunity to help shape the positions TFI takes on key issues, ensuring your company’s voice is heard at the national level. 

TFI represents a broad and diverse group of companies, including global and domestic fertilizer manufacturers, regional distributors, ag retailers, equipment suppliers, environmental consultants, ag technology firms, and others representing the industry. This diversity strengthens our collective voice and helps us address the full spectrum of challenges and opportunities facing our industry.  

Yes. TFI is a national leader in promoting sustainable agricultural practices through science-based initiatives like 4R Nutrient Stewardship—applying the Right source of nutrients at the Right rate, at the Right time, and in the Right place. These practices improve crop yields, reduce environmental impact, and enhance long-term soil health. We work closely with members, researchers, and government agencies to expand adoption of 4R practices across the country. 

TFI also launched our Verified Ammonia Carbon Intensity (VACI) program, which is a voluntary certification that measures the carbon footprint of ammonia production at a specific facility, from well to production gate. The program uses a standardized methodology, developed by industry experts, to calculate the carbon intensity of a facility’s ammonia production. A third party audits the calculation to validate the data and verify its accuracy.  

International members gain insights into U.S. market trends, policy developments, and regulatory changes that may impact their operations or partnerships. TFI also provides platforms for international members to collaborate with U.S.-based companies, participate in industry events, and contribute to global sustainability efforts like the 4Rs and nutrient stewardship best practices.  

Membership value can look different for different companies. Some recommendations include: 

• Inform your organization that you are members of TFI and encourage them to Create An Account so they have access to benefits, such as discounted registration pricing and the Resource Library.  

• Participate in committees that are most relevant to your business 

• Update your communication preferences so you receive the communications you care most about 

• Attend TFI in-person events to network with others in the industry 

If you would like more support in ensuring you make the most of your membership, please feel free to contact Bella Shain, Manager of Membership & Sales, at [email protected]
 

If you are having trouble logging into any of your members-only resources, please contact [email protected] and you will be directed to the proper TFI contact.