USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small visits Dramm Corp.

Dramm Corporation, a family-owned business and recipient of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program grant, recently hosted USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small along with other USDA representatives for a tour of its facilities.

During the visit, the Deputy Secretary learned about Dramm’s advancements in organic fertilizer production, as well as its commitment to manufacturing high-quality commercial grower equipment, irrigation systems and consumer watering tools.

Through the FPEP, the USDA is investing in independent businesses like Dramm to support them in modernizing equipment and advancing new technology. Dramm is utilizing a $776,000 grant to increase production capacity at its fish processing plant in Algoma, Wisconsin, increase its customer base, and install solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint. Dramm produces Drammatic Liquid Fish Fertilizers, derived from fish offal collected from commercial and sport fishermen. This line of fertilizers is used in organic and conventional farming, as well as consumer gardening. By diverting millions of pounds of fish waste from landfills and waterways, Drammatic Liquid Fish Fertilizers offer a sustainable solution that promotes soil health.

“We are so very honored to have had USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small and several other USDA representatives visit our company. They were down-to-earth, kind, and inquisitive, showing genuine curiosity about our efforts in manufacturing natural fish fertilizer, commercial grower equipment, and irrigation, as well as retail watering tools,” said Heidi Dramm Becker, corporate relations at Dramm. “The grant we were awarded allows us to expand and improve our fish processing plant in Algoma so we can produce and provide more quality fertilizer that enhances the soil from which our food is grown. It was a pleasure to meet them all, and our team at Dramm should be very proud.”

Dramm’s president, Hans Dramm, shared his appreciation: “We are grateful for the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and for the visit from Deputy Secretary Torres Small and her team. It is very exciting to receive this level of attention and to showcase our commitment to producing high-quality products for the commercial horticulture, agriculture, and consumer sectors. Dramm is proud of our Wisconsin-based work and the advancements we are making to our fertilizer production facility with the support of the USDA's FPEP grant.”

During her visit, Small announced that the USDA’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program will allocate an additional $120 million to support six fertilizer production projects across the country. These projects, located in Wisconsin, Arkansas, California, Illinois, South Dakota and Washington, aim to strengthen domestic fertilizer production, enhance efficiency and promote sustainable practices within the agriculture sector.