They don’t see Stueve simply as a builder. They see it as a service provider, a strategic partner, and an engine of innovation for an industry that feeds the world. The journey here hasn’t been linear for any of them — but that’s part of what makes their story uniquely fertilizer.

A Transition Years in the Making

Stueve’s leadership transition didn’t happen overnight. It was a multi-year process designed with intention: preserve the company’s legacy while equipping it for long-term success.

Reynold, who joined Stueve as a junior engineer in 1999, grew through nearly every role in the company — senior engineer, project manager, VP of Operations, Executive VP, and eventually CEO. Now stepping into the role of Board Chair, he leaves behind an engineering and innovation legacy that includes inventing the rodless design — now a standard across the industry.

“It’s been a dream career,” he says. “And the team we have…that’s what I’m most proud of. The right people, the right mindset — that’s why this company will continue to grow.”

Jim Bishop, who will now be stepping into the President and CEO role, has spent more than 30 years building industrial terminals around the world. When he joined Stueve four years ago, he immediately recognized something rare.

“Stueve has an amazing legacy — and an amazing culture,” Jim says. “To be trusted with guiding the next generation is an incredible honor.”

New VP of Operations John Muehring echoes that sentiment. A military-brat-turned-operator with nearly 25 years in agriculture and industrial projects, he says joining Stueve feels like joining a mission-driven team.

“People assume ag is slow-moving,” John notes. “It’s not. It’s fast. Markets shift quickly. Customer needs shift quickly. Being part of that is exciting — and Stueve is uniquely positioned to help the industry adapt.”

A New Generation— Same Commitment to Excellence

Stueve’s evolution is more than a leadership shuffle. It’s a restructuring designed to push the company forward for decades to come. That includes:

• Internal knowledge transfer from long-time experts to up-and-coming talent
• Key strategic hires including operations, engineering, and project leadership
• New processes and discipline to codify the company’s expertise
• Investment in innovation and technology to meet customers’ changing expectations

The team is united behind one priority: continuing to work as one.

“Our culture is unique,” Reynold says. “At Stueve, everyone, from the CEO to the laborer, receives the same benefits. That’s intentional. We’re all one team.”

Jim adds that this structure only works because the company treats field crews as long-term professionals, not seasonal labor. “When people know they’re valued for the long haul, they act like it,” he says. “It creates a cycle of loyalty and quality that’s incredibly rare in construction.”

More Than a Builder: A Partner in Strategy

Ask anyone at Stueve what business they’re in, and you won’t just hear “construction.”

“We’re a service provider in the ag industry,” Jim explains. “The facilities we build are often the biggest strategic investment our clients make. So we have to understand what they’re trying to achieve.”

Stueve is the only company in its space that performs:

• All engineering and design in-house
• Construction with its own crews
• Project execution from concept to completion

This vertical integration allows the company to be nimble, collaborative, and responsive to evolving customer needs.

“We shape our work around our clients’ strategies,” John says. “Not the other way around.”

Innovation: A Thread Running Through the Company’s DNA

Throughout the interview, the excitement for innovation is palpable. Reynold says it plainly: “We’ve been leaders in innovation for two decades — and we will continue to be.”

Jim sees it as Stueve’s responsibility to bring new thinking to a historically conservative industry. “The ag industry has lagged behind other sectors in innovation,” he says. “But we see ourselves as a thought starter. We try things. If they fail, we toss them out and try something else. That’s how the industry moves forward.”

Customers are increasingly willing to invest in technology, especially automation and systems that support limited labor resources. Stueve’s job is to build the facilities that bring those technologies to life.

The People Behind the Projects

When asked what makes them most proud, each leader returns to the same theme: people.

Jim recalls watching crews perform “miraculous things” to meet tight schedules in difficult conditions.

Reynold says his proudest achievement isn’t a project — it’s building a team that “works hard, acts with integrity, and loves what they do.”

John points to his safety record across decades of work. “Everyone who came to my job sites went home safely,” he says. “That’s something I’m extremely proud of.”

What People Outside the Industry Don’t See

According to Jim, the fertilizer and ag-construction space still operates on a deep foundation of trust.

“That old metaphorical handshake? It still means something here,” he says. “When we commit, we deliver. The contract is secondary to the trust.”

John adds that despite perceptions, the ag sector is fast-moving and exhilarating.

“Trends shift like the fashion industry,” he says with a laugh. “Projects are hard. They take immense collaboration and commitment. But that’s what makes it meaningful.”

Advice for the Next Generation: “Come to Ag.”

The leadership team is unanimous: agriculture offers both purpose and opportunity.

Jim points to stability paired with “untapped potential.”

Reynold says the industry is ideal for people who want to “give back to society” and to be part of feeding the world.

John offers a call-to-action for creative minds. “If you’re curious, if you like to build, invent, or solve problems, we want you here. Engineers, technologists, scientists… agriculture needs you.”

Three leaders, three backgrounds, one shared commitment building the future of fertilizer together.

The Stueve Team’s Walkout Songs

John:

Reynold:

Jim laughed and deferred to his teammates— though he promised to go home and look up John’s pick.

The post Building the Future: The Stueve Leadership Team on Innovation, Culture, and the Next Generation of Ag Construction appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.

“The fertilizer industry relies heavily on rail, and many shippers already operate with limited transportation options, increasing costs, and continued service challenges, all with a “take-it-or-leave-it” approach from railroads. Our priority is a rail system that provides reliable service and a balanced relationship between carriers and carload shippers, with accountability for systemic rail service failures and a rate review process that is efficient, timely, and economical.

“While we are still reviewing today’s STB filing, it is difficult to see how any coast-to-coast merger would improve this imbalance or meet the standard set out in the Surface Transportation Board’s merger rules. Today railroads hold all the cards, and larger railroads only give carriers a bigger deck. Now that UP and NS have submitted their merger application, we urge the Board to make the merger’s impact on carload shippers, including fertilizer and agriculture, a priority during the review process.

“The potential for this merger makes needed rail policy reforms to reset the balance between railroads and carload shippers even more critical.”

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

The post TFI Statement on Proposed Union Pacific Norfolk Southern Merger appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.

“Fertilizer production is highly capital-intensive and requires long-term investment in mines, manufacturing plants, and processing facilities. Over the past decade, U.S. fertilizer producers have invested billions of dollars to expand domestic production capacity, with additional projects currently in development,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Even after extensive environmental analysis, these projects too often face years of uncertainty due to duplicative reviews, poor coordination, and permitting-related litigation.”

H.R. 4776 modernizes and reforms the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process, codifying a recent Supreme Court decision clarifying that environmental reviews should focus on impacts with a reasonably close causal relationship to the project under review, helping return NEPA to its intended role as a procedural statute rather than a tool for indefinite delay.

“The SPEED Act will help restore balance to the permitting process by improving coordination, strengthening judicial review, and ensuring concerns are raised during the public comment period,” Rosenbusch explained. “These reforms will provide greater certainty for responsible projects while preserving the environmental safeguards that are already in place.”

TFI encourages the Senate to quickly take up the SPEED Act as part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic fertilizer production, improve supply-chain resilience, and support food affordability for American families.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

The post TFI Applauds House Passage of the SPEED Act, Urges Senate Action appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.

“Permitting reform is essential to strengthening America’s fertilizer supply chain,” said TFI president and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “From new phosphate and potash mining projects to nitrogen production and modern distribution facilities, today’s permitting process is too often defined by years-long delays and significant uncertainty. The PERMIT Act provides the guardrails needed to keep critical projects moving while maintaining protections for water quality and natural resources.”

TFI members routinely face permitting delays for new and expanded fertilizer production operations that stretch into decades and cost tens of millions of dollars. These delays ultimately impact farmers who rely on a stable, affordable, and abundant supply of fertilizer.

“Farmers need timely access to the nutrients that make crop production possible,” Rosenbusch continued. “By cutting red tape and streamlining regulatory reviews, the PERMIT Act supports U.S. fertilizer production, recognizes the industry’s commitment to protecting natural resources, and helps ensure American agriculture remains globally competitive.”

TFI looks forward to working with Congress on additional bipartisan permitting reforms, including the forthcoming SPEED Act, and will continue advocating for policies that strengthen domestic production, modernize infrastructure, and improve supply chain reliability.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

The post TFI Applauds House Passage of PERMIT Act, A Major Step Toward Strengthening Domestic Fertilizer Production appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.

“The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) appreciates the Trump Administration’s continued recognition of the importance of fertilizers to America’s food security, national security, well-being, and health.

“The fertilizer market is highly competitive and characterized by a complex web of global supply and demand factors. While the U.S. has robust domestic fertilizer manufacturing and production, it is a net fertilizer importer and relies on both domestic production and imports during busy spring planting and fall application periods.

“TFI will continue to work with the Trump Administration to promote a more open, fair, predictable, and transparent trading environment that empowers the continued growth of a resilient, competitive, and sustainable fertilizer industry for our farmer customers, including by removing trade barriers for materials needed to maintain, upgrade, and expand fertilizer production.

“Without farmers, there would be no fertilizer industry, and as farmers continue to face economic challenges the focus of the industry remains working with the Trump Administration to promote a strong, resilient fertilizer industry that supports U.S. agriculture and ensures affordable food prices for American families.”

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

The post TFI Statement on Fertilizer Tariff Exemption appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.

“Rightfully recognizing phosphate and potash as critical minerals will support American farmers across the country and help ensure high crop yields and stocked grocery store shelves for consumers. A big thank-you goes to the Trump Administration and lawmakers for their engagement and efforts on this important issue,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “The majority of the world’s phosphate and potash resources are concentrated in only a few countries, leaving them open to supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical instability. Food security is national security and it’s time to change how we think about these vital resources.”

China and Russia account for over 53% of global phosphate production. Additionally, China, Russia, and Belarus account for over 67% of global potash production with only 11 other countries mining deposits. The U.S. imports roughly 97% of its potash needs, the bulk of which, about 86%, comes from Canada.

Potash was included in the original 2018 list, but phosphate and potash were both omitted from the 2022 update.

“Getting phosphate and potash back on the list is something the industry has been working on since they were oddly left off in 2022. A high priority for TFI has been educating congressional offices, policymakers, media, and the public about how closely phosphate and potash are tied to abundant and nutritious food,” Rosenbusch continued. “These are two minerals where stable supplies are absolutely necessary to fill our plates and feed our communities.”

TFI’s engagement efforts led to an increased awareness of phosphate and potash and supportive government actions, including multiple recognitions from the administration highlighting the importance of these minerals. Additionally, a bipartisan, bicameral letter led by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) was sent to DOI Secretary Doug Burgum urging action on listing phosphate and potash as critical minerals. The letter made the case that phosphate and potash clearly meet the criteria to be defined as a critical mineral and noted that, “…their significance for U.S. national security, food security, and American farmers is especially critical…”

“We thank President Trump, Secretaries Burgum and Rollins, and Senators Ernst and Slotkin and Representatives Cammack and Panetta for their efforts to rightfully recognize the essential nature of phosphate and potash,” concluded Rosenbusch. “Without these two minerals, modern agricultural systems would crumble and the ability to feed our growing population would be nearly impossible.”

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

The post TFI Celebrates Recognition of Phosphate and Potash as Critical Minerals appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.

Without fertilizer, we could only produce about half of the food grown today. That means billions of people would face hunger and food insecurity. Fertilizers provide the essential nutrients that crops need to thrive. Over time, those nutrients are used up in the soil, so replacing them is vital for healthy growth. When applied using the 4R method (Right Source, at the Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place), fertilizers help farmers improve yields, grow healthier plants, and protect farmland for future generations.

Fertilizers also protect nature. By helping farmers produce more on existing farmland, they reduce the need to clear forests or grasslands for agriculture. Responsible fertilizer use allows productivity and conservation to work hand in hand, creating a balance between feeding people and protecting the planet.

Behind every successful harvest is collaboration, innovation, and advocacy. The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) represents the U.S. fertilizer supply chain and works to ensure fertilizers are available and used safely and responsibly. TFI’s mission centers on stewardship, education, and policy, with a focus on helping farmers, supporting sustainability, and strengthening the nation’s food security.

TFI’s impact can be seen across several areas:

Promoting responsible fertilizer use: Through the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework and sponsored research, TFI helps farmers adopt science-based nutrient management practices that protect soil and water while improving productivity.

Advocating for stronger agricultural policy: TFI supports a bipartisan, science-based Farm Bill that promotes conservation through 4R Nutrient Stewardship, invests in agricultural research, and addresses fertilizer access, trade, and supply chain resilience.

Resolving transportation challenges: Fertilizers depend on reliable supply chains. TFI works with policymakers, industry leaders, and others to advocate for improved rural roads and efficient railways to ensure nutrients move efficiently from producers to farms.

Strengthening domestic supply: TFI successfully advocated for potash to be added to the U.S. Critical Minerals List and continues to push for phosphate to receive the same recognition. These efforts aim to secure access to essential minerals for farmers, encourage domestic investment, and make the American food supply more resilient.

TFI’s members are leading the way in agricultural innovation. New technologies such as precision agriculture, satellite mapping, and soil sensors are helping farmers apply nutrients exactly where and when crops need them, improving yields while protecting soil and water. Through its 4R Advocate Program, TFI also recognizes outstanding farmers across the country who are putting the 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles into practice, showing that productivity and sustainability go hand in hand. Earlier this year, TFI introduced VACI (Verified Ammonia Carbon Intensity), a new initiative that allows consumers and policymakers to clearly see and measure the fertilizer industry’s progress in reducing carbon emissions from nitrogen production. Together, these efforts highlight how TFI and its members are driving innovation that benefits farmers, consumers, and the environment alike.

Fertilizers are critical for America’s farms, and TFI works year-round to underscore their importance to both national and global food security. Through its advocacy, TFI helps ensure that farmers have the tools, policies, and supply chain support they need to keep producing food efficiently and sustainably, even when global markets are under strain. These efforts help American agriculture continue its long tradition of leadership in productivity and environmental stewardship. Farmers are growing more while using fewer resources, and innovation in fertilizer use is central to that success.

Global Fertilizer Day celebrates the people and partnerships that keep our food system strong. Farmers, scientists, advocates, and the fertilizer industry all share the same goal: to feed the world while protecting it for generations to come. Fertilizer may not be something most people think about, but it touches every meal, every harvest, and every hopeful season ahead. Thanks to organizations like The Fertilizer Institute, the essential work of nourishing America and the world continues every day – safely, responsibly, and sustainably.

The post Celebrate Every Day as Global Fertilizer Day appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.

“America’s farmers are the most productive in the world, and we’re proud to stand with them through the challenging market conditions we are currently experiencing,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Global factors from all sides continue to drive fertilizer costs, including geopolitical instability, export restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and energy markets. The best way Washington can help farmers is by expanding market access for their products, cutting red tape, and strengthening domestic fertilizer supply.”

Policy Solutions to Support Farmers and Strengthen Fertilizer Supply

TFI has outlined immediate and long-term policy actions to enhance domestic fertilizer production and improve supply chain reliability for U.S. farmers, including:

Immediate Steps:

• Advance a national policy to expand domestic fertilizer production, led by the Secretary of Agriculture and coordinated across federal agencies.
• Appoint a full-time USDA Fertilizer Economist to monitor market dynamics, improve transparency, and provide accurate, timely information to farmers and policymakers.
• Streamline federal permitting and regulatory reviews to accelerate construction and modernization of fertilizer plants, mines, and infrastructure.
• Along with the inclusion of potash, include phosphate on the Final Critical Minerals List to improve supply security and permitting efficiency.
• Encourage energy policies that maintain affordable and reliable natural gas supplies, the key feedstock for nitrogen fertilizers, as well as technologies that reduce production emissions.
• Promote a more open, fair, predictable, and transparent trading environment that empowers the continued growth of a resilient, competitive, and sustainable fertilizer industry for our farmer customers.

Longer-Term Actions:

• Accelerate innovation and emerging fertilizer technologies, such as advanced nutrient formulations and enhanced efficiency fertilizers consistent with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework.
• Further encourage grower adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices (applying the right source, rate, time, and place) to support farmers getting the most out of every fertilizer dollar.
• Identifying productive science-backed streams for recycled production materials from mined sources

“Farmers feed America and we feed their fields,” concluded Rosenbusch. “Input industries, from fertilizer and seed to equipment and crop protection, all rely on strong, stable farm demand. We look forward to working with both policymakers and farmers to ensure our collective kitchen tables are filled with abundant nutritious food.”

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) at @Fertilizer_Inst.

The post Fertilizer Industry Calls for Practical Policy Solutions to Support Farmers and Strengthen Supply appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.

“We are extremely proud of the fertilizer industry’s global role and believe we are lucky to be able to not only feed the world by putting food on peoples’ tables, but to feed economies by providing important and fulfilling careers and working tirelessly to innovate to be good environmental stewards,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “We feed the world, we do it sustainably, and we are proud of the women and men working in our industry to make it all happen. It is an honor to celebrate them, and that’s what Global Fertilizer Day is all about.”

This year’s celebration featured a record setting year for student engagement with 200 “Fertilizer Fun Boxes” provided to classrooms across the country. Supported through the FERT Foundation’s Nutrient’s for Life program, Fertilizer Fun Boxes contain a variety of engaging, hands-on educational activities designed to teach students about soil science and the vital role of fertilizers.

“The strong industry support we receive is what makes all of this possible,” explained senior director of the Nutrients for Life program Haley Siergiej. “The engagement of our members and all the sponsoring companies is incredible. Even packing the boxes prior to delivery was a collaborative effort with a local FFA chapter.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity to receive a Fertilizer Fun Box through Nutrients for Life as they are one of the best educational resources we have regarding soil science,” added American Falls High School agricultural science teacher Tyrel Barnett. “It’s amazing to see the students connect the dots between soil science and having healthy and nutritious food to eat. Having a chance to review the lessons and materials, I’m confident that my students will better understand the importance of soil health within our food system.”

TFI is also helping the industry spread the word through social media channels. “TFI has put together some interesting facts about the industry for companies to share through their channels, and also a handful of short and fun videos,” Rosenbusch concluded. “We’re excited to share with the world the wonderful and amazing contributions the fertilizer industry makes to feed economies and populations.”

More information about Global Fertilizer Day can be found here. Global Fertilizer Day was supported this year by Tidal Grow® AgriScience.

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The post Fertilizer Industry Celebrates Global Fertilizer Day by Teaching Students About the Science of Soil and Food appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.

Currently, farmers, legislators, and agricultural groups across the U.S. are urging the addition of phosphorus to the USGS Critical Minerals List. Phosphorus might not be a nutrient you think about every day, but without it, modern agriculture would struggle to feed the world.

In this episode of Fertilizer 101, host Morgaine Mertz-Myers sits down with Dr. Karl Wyant, Director of Agronomy at Nutrien, to explore the science, history, and future of phosphate fertilizers. From breaking down the difference between phosphorus and phosphate to touring Nutrien’s Aurora phosphate mine in North Carolina, we discuss why this essential mineral is so critical for farmers, crops, and national food security.

Along the way, Karl busts common myths about phosphate, explains the 4R nutrient stewardship approach, and makes the case for adding phosphorus to the U.S. Critical Minerals List. Whether you’re a farmer, policymaker, or simply curious about what keeps food on your plate, this episode will change the way you think about phosphate fertilizer.

The post Fertilizer 101 Podcast Ep.9: Digging Deeper into Phosphorus, Phosphate, Fertilizer, and Nutrien appeared first on The Fertilizer Institute.