Fertilizer Industry Celebrates the Grower-Retailer Partnerships Driving Nutrient Stewardship Forward
29 August 2026, Indianapolis: The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced today the selection of two teams of agricultural retailers and their farmer partners as the 2026 4R Advocates. These grower-retailer partners are being recognized for their outstanding commitment to implementing nutrient management practices grounded in 4R principles: applying the Right fertilizer source, at the Right rate, Right time, and Right place.
2026 4R Advocates:
Grower: Tom Linthicum: Laytonsville, MD – Seneca Ayr Farm
Retailer: David Shriver: Hampstead, MD – The Mill
Tom and David’s profile can be found here.
Grower: Drew Wendland: Autaugaville, AL – Autauga Farming Company
Retailer: Trey Colley: Decatur, AL – GreenPoint Ag
Drew and Trey’s profile can be found here.
“The relationship between a grower and their retailer is what drives 4R Nutrient Stewardship forward. These partnerships are built on trust, local knowledge, and a shared stake in the outcome. Our 2026 4R Advocates show what that partnership looks like at its best, and we’re proud to spotlight the results it delivers for their farms, their communities, and the environment,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI President and CEO, speaking at TFI’s Agronomy Conference and Expo in Indianapolis.
Now in its 15th year, the 4R Advocate program showcases the tangible, field-level results of 4R Nutrient Stewardship in action. The framework gives farmers and their retail partners research-based, practical tools to improve crop productivity, strengthen environmental outcomes, and build a more resilient, sustainable farming operation for the long term.
Representing a range of crops and regions, the 2026 4R Advocates will spend the year as ambassadors for the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework, sharing their story through on-farm field days, industry panels, visits with congressional offices and agencies, and local outreach, helping other grower-retailer teams see what’s possible when they put the 4Rs into practice together. Earlier this year, Tom Linthicum and David Shriver were also honored by the Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Association as the inaugural Mid-Atlantic 4R Advocates.
TFI announced last year that 65 million acres of U.S. cropland are now under 4R Nutrient Stewardship — ahead of pace toward the industry’s goal of 70 million acres by 2030. The 2026 4R Advocates represent more than 7,000 of those 4R acres, implementing advanced 4R practices unique to their regions and farming systems, including; crediting organic sources and removal rates, variable rate technology, split applications, cover crops, and accounting for weather during application.
The 4R Advocate program is proudly championed by TFI members, Koch Agronomic Services, The Mosaic Company and Tidal Grow AgriScience.
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