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HARDEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

GRANT AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into thisday of&,p\fnU?u, 2013, by and

between the Hardee County Economic Development Authority, hereinafter referred to

as "EDA," and Industrial Development Authority, hereinafter referred to as the

"Business," located at 107 East Main Street, Wauchula, Florida 33873.

The EDA, pursuant to Section 211.3103(3)(b)3 F.S., is authorized to establish

the Infrastructure/Job Creation Grant Program to provide grants to qualified for-profit

and not-for-profit entities to fund projects that provide economic development

opportunities, job creation and infrastructure within the geographic boundaries of

Hardee County.

The EDA has determined that the Business has met all of the requirements

necessary for participation in the EDA grant Program, and

The EDA desires to distribute funds to the business for projects that provide

economic development, job creation opportunities and infrastructure within the

geographic boundaries of Hardee County the sum of $2,000,000.00; and

The application and infrastructure program guidelines attached hereto as Exhibit

"A", is hereby incorporated into this agreement and the representations made by the

Industrial Development Authority therein are incorporated as if full set forth herein; and

In consideration for the mutual undertakings and agreements hereinafter set

forth, EDA and the Business agree as follows:

HARDEE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 107 EAST MAIN STREETC/O COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE WAUCHULA, FL 33873412 W. ORANGE ST.,ROOM 103 863-773-3030 PHONE;863-773-4915 FAX863-773-9430 PHONE; 863-773-0958 FAX

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1.0 PARTIES: The parties and their respective addresses for purposes of this

Agreement are as follows:

2.0 ADMINISTRATOR: The EDA Agreement administrator is Lexton H. Albritton.

J r .. County Manager . The Business Agreement administrator is William R. Lambert. Jr..

Economic Development Director. All approvals referenced in this agreement must be

obtained from the agreement administrators or their designees. Any notice, demand,

request or other communication shall be effective only if in writing and when it is

received by the Agreement manager at the address provided for herein.

In the event that a different Agreement Administrator is designated by either

Party after execution of this contract, notice of the name, address and telephone

number of the new Agreement Manager shall be delivered in writing to the other Party

and said notification shall be attached to originals of this Agreement.

3.0 TERM OF AGREEMENT: The term of this Agreement shall commence upon

full execution of this agreement, and continue for a two year period; unless terminated

earlier as hereinafter provided prior to that time.

4.0 BUSINESS DESCRIPTION:

(a) The Business is or will be an operating unit of Industrial Development

Autho r i t y . FEI N . #90-058657 2 .

5.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: See Exhibit "B".

5.1 CHANGE ORDERS: In the event the project description or scope of project

is modified, the modification shall be evidenced by written change order PRIOR to any

work being performed pursuant to the proposed modification. If the proposed

modification is deemed immaterial by the Administrator, the Administrator shall have

the authority to execute the written change order on behalf of the EDA. If the

modification is deemed material by the Administrator, he shall submit the same to the

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EDA for approval PRIOR to any work being performed pursuant to the proposed

modification. For purposes of this subsection, any proposed modification which will

result in an increase in the award requested is hereby deemed material.

6.0 NOTICES: All notices pertaining to this Agreement are in effect upon receipt

by EDA, shall be in writing, and shall be transmitted either by personal hand delivery,

United States Post Office, return receipt requested; or, overnight express mail delivery.

Facsimile may be used if the notice is also transmitted by one of the preceding

forms of delivery. The addresses set forth above for the respective parties shall be the

places where notices shall be sent, unless prior written notice of change of address is

given.

7.0 OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUSINESS: The Business agrees to:

(a) administer funds in accordance with elements of the approved project

description, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "8".

(b) provide a budget and detailed reports to the EDA regarding the project.

Reports must be completed to the satisfaction of the EDA.

(c) upon request by the EDA, and within a reasonable time period, allow the

EDA to inspect supporting documentation of reported outcomes and expenses

inclusive of receipts, canceled checks, basis for disbursements and invoices.

(d) retain records for at least five (5) years following the end of this

Agreement, or deliver such records to the EDA for retention. If any litigation, claim,

negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the

expiration of the five (5) year period, the records shall be retained until completion of

the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the five

(5) year period, whichever is later.

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(e) upon request by the EDA, and within a reasonable time period, allow the

EDA to inspect, review and audit all records received or created pursuant to this

Agreement.

(f) submit quarterly project status reports and quarterly reimbursement

requests as attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "C". The retention

requirement is waived for governmental entities.

8.0 OBLIGATIONS OF THE EDA:

(a) provide a format for all required reports, and assist the business in

completing reports satisfactory to the EDA.

(b) provide or assist in obtaining technical assistance as needed to distribute

the Designated Funds in accordance with the Approved Plan.

(c) following any site visit or review, provide a written report with comments

and recommendations regarding the manner in which services are being provided.

(d) provide oversight for the efficient and effective distribution of the

Designated Funds.

9.0 TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT: The Agreement may be

terminated by EDA upon failure of the Business to comply with any material term or

condition of this Agreement or a decision by the Business either not to proceed with the

project defined in Section 5.0 or to proceed with that project in a location outside of

Hardee County, Florida.

10.0 PENALTY: Any Business that fraudulently procures or receives funds

under this program is liable for repayment.

11.0 LEGAL REQUIR EMENTS:

This agreement is executed and entered into in

Hardee County and will be construed, performed, and enforced in all respects in

accordance with the laws and rules of the State of Florida. Each party will perform its

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obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of this agreement. Any and all

litigation arising under this Agreement shall be brought in the appropriate court in

Hardee County, Florida.

12.0 NON DISCRIMINATION: The Business will not discriminate against any

employee employed in the performance of this agreement, or against any applicant for

employment because of age, ethnicity, religious belief, disability, national origin, or sex.

The Business shall insert a similar provision in all subcontracts for services by this

Agreement.

13.0 ATTORNEY FEES: In any litigation (even through appellate level)

or proceeding to enforce or interpret any term or provision of this agreement, or if

EDA must hire counsel to protect its interest in bankruptcy proceeding filed by

business, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of its reasonable attorneys'

fees from the non-prevailing party.

14.0. RESTRICTION AGAINST ASSIGNMENT :No part of this Agreement shall

be assigned, subcontracted or delegated by either Party to a third party without the prior

written consent of the other Party.

15.0 ENFORCEABILITY: If any term or provision of this Agreement is found to

be illegal and unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement will remain in full force

and effect and such term of provision will be deemed stricken.

16.0 WAIVER: The failure of either party to this Agreement to object to or to

take affirmative action with respect to any conduct of the other which is in violation of

the terms of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of the violation or

breach, or of any future violation, breach or wrongfulconduct.

17.0 COUNTERPARTS: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,

each of which shall be considered an original for all purposes.

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18.0 MODIFICATION: This writing contains the entire Agreement of the

parties. No representations were made or relied upon by either party, other than those

that are expressly set forth. No agent, employee, or other representative of either party

is empowered to alter any of the terms of this Agreement, unless done in writing and

signed by an authorized officer of the Business and the authorized agent of EDA.

19.0 ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This instrument embodies the entire agreement

of the parties. There are no provisions, terms, condition, or obligations other than those

contained in this agreement; and this agreement superseded all previous

communication, representation, or agreement, either verbal or written, between the

parties. No amendment will be effective unless reduced to writing and signed by the

parties.

20.0 DUPLICATE ORIGINALS: This Agreement is executed in duplicate

originals.

HARDEE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL D VELOPMEN HORITY

q ·ID·IDDate

HARDEE COUNTY

· E-C-ONO C DEVELOPM

TITLE: c · n.". '",_,

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Page 1 of6

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HARDEE COUNTY EDAJOB CREATION GRANT APPLICATION

IMPORTANT NOTE:This application must be filed prior to making the decision to locate a new business unit in Hardee County or to expand an existing Florida business unit

APPLICATION PROCESS:1. Please review the attached guidelines before preparing the application.2. After thoroughly reviewing the guidelines and the application, you may wish to

call the County Manager's Office listed below to discuss your project and application before submitting a formal proposal.

3. Any infonnation and documentation that cannot be supplied in the spaceprovided on the application form should be attached to the application and referenced to the relevant question.

4. Copies of maps or other descriptive materials that you believe will assist in evaluating your application may be submitted with your proposal. If you do include such material, please itemize all such documents in your cover letter.

5. Any application received after COB on June 03, 2011, will not be accepted andwill be returned to the applicant.

6. Only hard copy applications will be accepted, no faxed ore-mailed applications will be accepted or considered.

7. The completed and signed original application and nine copies must be filed with: County Manager's Office

412 W. Orange St., Room 103Wauchula, FL 33873Voice 863-773-9430Fax 863-773-0958

FOR ADMINSTRATIVE USE ONLY:Date and time application received: -=-tT"-rl f-i--loor-"-"-=''--lnitials ---r"7T-:R--Date application deemed complete: Initials

...u.:t r 'l t.·., ;;_:,. "7. • _, .' :

:· ...\.. ;.:.. •...; i..:,.v _. \.. ·._ 'II ..

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Hardee Countv IndustrialDevelopment Authority

Name of Business

IPA Spec BuildingProject Title (1-5 word description)

The award claim form will be due by January 31·st each year for the number of jobs onDecember 3161 of the previous calendar year.

The award may not excaed 50 percent of the total award associated with the phase(s) scheduled. The total award will be a minimum of $6,000 times the number of jobs reported, plus $1,000 per job if the average annual wage exceeds the County's average by 150% or $2,000 per job if the average annualwage is in excess of 200%.

If the business also receives a Qualified Target Industry award from the State, the local20% match will be deducted from any award made under this program.

It is suggested that you contact at the below address to discuss your project and application before submitting a formal proposal

The completed and signed application must be filed with:

County Manager's Office412 West Orange Street,Room 103

Wauchula, Florida 33873Voice: 863/773-9430Fax: 863/773-0958

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o ooMultistate business enterprise o ooMulticounty business enterpriseo o oMultinational business enterp_rise oxo oRegional HeadquartersxManufacturer oooSupport Centerso00Logisitics/Distribution DDOResearch & Development

OQTI eligible businesses (List attached)

•

Employer Identification

BUSINESS INFORMATION:

1. a) Name of Business Unit: Hardee County IndustrialDevelopment Authority

b) Mailing Address: 107 East Main Street Wauchula.El 33873

c) Name of Parent Company (if applicable):

d) Primary business unit contact:Name: Sarah Pelham Title: EDC CoordinatorCompany: Hardee Countv IndustrialDevelopment AuthorityAddress:107 East Main Street Wauchula, F133873_Phone: 773-3030 Fax: n3-4915Email: sarah.pelham@hardeemail.comWebsite:www.hardeebusiness.com

e} Describe the business unit's primary business activities/function within the county: This is for a spec building to be constructed for the pumose of recruitment of businesses t o Hardee Count y fo r business relocatio n or expansion.

f) Is the business unit minority owned: YES X NO

1) If YES, explain: _

Project Identification/Information

2. a) Is the business unit a (please check all that apply):D Planning multiple locations in the State of Florida0 An expansion of an existing Florida business unit

XA new business unit to Hardee County

b) If an expansion, how many Hardee County employees are currently in the expanding business uni t 12? :..;:N A -------------

c) How many individuals are employed in ALL Florida locations? 32

d) Project's current location address: 1579 barber Road Sarasota. Fl34240

e) Project's proposed location address:TBA. _

f) Please check the box(es) that best defines your project.

%

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g) Please estimate percentage of gross receipts or final sales resulting from this project that will be made outside of Hardee County: NA %

h) Indicate the portion of the project for each activity undertaken in the facility. Enter the industry description and code, if known, of each industry included in this project:

Business unit Activities

5-6 digit 4digit NAICS Code

SIC Code

---- S p e cuB u il d in a fu r C o m m er ce P a -----------%

---- - %

236210

i) List the Business Activity, and/or code(s), estimated employment, and the annualizedaverage wage (not including benefits) for activities included in the project:Activity/Code Est. Employment 20·30 Annualized Wage $16.00/hr.Activity/CodeActivity/Code

Est. EmploymentEst. Employment

Annualized Wage $ _Annualized Wage .z;$ _

j) 1) Anticipated annualized average wage (not including benefits) of the new to Hardee County jobs created by the project at the business unit:$ See Tab 2. _ (Cash performance bonuses and other cash payments to the employees, such as overtime, should be included. The anticipated wage reported here is only an estimate of the average wage to be paid. The wage indicated in response to an incentive attachment, if applicable, will be used in the certification, agreement, and claim evaluation process.)

2) Annualized average value of benefits associated with each new job created by the project at the business unjt: $See Tab2. _

k) 1) Describe the capital investment in real and personal property (examples: construction of new facility; remodeling of facility; upgrading, replacing or buying new equipment. Do not include the value of land purchased for construction of a new building): Construction of new spec building facility to help in the recruitment of new businesses to Hardee County.. _

2) List the anticipated amount (within three (3) years) and type (purchase of machinery/equipment, construction of buildings, etc.) of major capital investment to be made by the applicant in connection with this Hardee County project:

Amount$ 2.000.000 Construction/RenovationsAmount $ Amount $

Manufacturing EquipmentOther Equipment

Total $ 2.000.000 ------

3) Estimated square feet of new or newly expanded facilit120,000 +

I) Anticipated date of beginning of construction for this project: (mm/dd/yyyy) ASAP

m) Anticipated date project will be in operation:_--:.1-=2/ 3-.:.1 /2:..:0 14 ------

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PhaseNumber of net new full-time equivalent

Hardee County jobs created in businessunif

Date by which those jobs will be created

I 20-30 December 2014II 30+ 2017

l: lr

TOTAL

Projec t Impac t Information

a. What role will the incentive play in the decision of the applicant to locate or expand in Hardee County? (If there are other states/communities competing for this project, please list which states/communities and what incentives are being offered by these states/communities.) Relocation will not take place without the availability of a building. being used as an incentive to the company for relocation to Hardee County

b. A brief review of the applicant's past activities in Florida and in other states, particularly as they relate to environmental and growth management impacts and how these have been handled. (Basically, what kind of corporate citizen has the applicant been?) See Tab2_

c. Any criminalor civilfines or penalties and any awards. {If yes, please explain}None _

d. If jobs are to be phased in, provide the date when each phase of employment will be fully implemented: (Please .ll!!!!! the phases to no more than three consecutive years andjob creation to no less than ten jobs in any given year.)

Il-l .

e. For purposes of certification, agreement, and claim review indicate the wage and corresponding threshold (percentage) to which you commit by circling below:

a)$14.22 which is 115% of theaverage wage of $12.36 in Hardee County. XXb) $18.54 which is 150% of theaverage wage of $12 .36 in Hardee

County. c) $24.72 which is 200% of the aQ11 average wage of $12.36 in

Hardee County.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

All applicants must disclose with their application the name of any elected official, officer, director, or agent who is also an employee of Hardee County, or Hardee County Economic Development Authority. Further, all applicants must disclose the name of any Hardee County or Hardee County Economic Development Authority staff or board member who owns, directly or indirectly, an interest of five percent or more in the company creating the employment opportunities that benefits from the proposed project or the name of any Hardee County or Hardee County Development Authority.

Application completed by:

(Signature)

Sarah Pelham • EDC Coordinator (Print or Type Name & Title)

Hardee Countv EDC (Company)

863 773 3030 (Phone Number)

863 773 4915

I ( te)

sarah.pelham@hardeemail.com (E-mail Address)

(Contact Person,if different)

(E-mail Address if different)

(Address if different)

(Phone if different)

To the best of my knowledge, the information included in this a plication is accurate.

(Print or Type Name of Authorized Officer)

(Print or Type Title of Authorized Officer)

Hardee Co unty EDC (Company)

863 773 3030 (Phone Number)

863 7734915

bill.lambert@hardeemail.com (E-mail Address

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Tab 1

One of the most difficult aspects of Rural Economic Development is lack of,or access to infrastructure. Traditionally infrastructure has been perceived as public water and sewer,public/private utilities (i.e. electricity,telecommunications,gas, etc.).

In Hardee County we have a particularly frustrating scenario in that we have infrastructure and sites but no available structures in which to market to businesses in this fast-paced globaleconomy. For this reason we have identified structures (i.e. spec buildings such as offices and warehouses),in order to better solicit economic growth and diversity. The purpose of this grant application is to eliminate the void created by lack of sites through the creation of generic structures to market for business development.

At present time,there are currently no vacant buildings available at the Commerce Park for potential clients (all properties are under some varying form of lease /purchase option). The Hardee County Industrial Development Authority remains dedicated to having the ability to provide potentialclients with either turnkey facilities or at the very least,a shell that could be completed in a very short time frame. If Hardee County is going to remain a player in the economic development business and keep a competitive advantage with surrounding Counties;the availability of property inventory is vital.

The application we are submitting is for a 120,000.00 sq ft on grade,metal building with complimentary office space. The IDA is currently working with a client who is interested in relocating their corporate operations to Hardee County. They have a desire to be located near rail and require additional land nearby in order to accommodate future expansion. Currently there are no buildings in Hardee County that meet these requirements. In this case, as in many instances a building is a critical part in the companies decision to move. This building will help enhance the inventory of available space for new business

and industry looking to come into Hardee County and will serve as a match for this current client who is looking to relocate at this time.

The Industrial Development Authority will cover all expenses until time of reimbursement.

f

Hardee County

TRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

- .(). -controlled release fertilizers

Vetting ReportMay14,2013

The Hardee County Chamber of Comr.1erce,pursuant to its agreement with the Hardee County Industrial Development Authority,was requested to perform vetting with respect to the proposed project. The Initialmeeting with representatives from Florikan was held on April 23, 2013. Subsequent follow up information has been obtained from !=lorikan and reviewed by the Chamber Committee charged with the task. The first section is a summary of the information provided by Florikan followed by committee analysis.

DISCLAIMER - The information in this report is provided strictly for info tional purposes for the Hardee County Industrial Development Authority. The Hardee County Chamber of Commerce is not recommending positive or negative results for the proposed company but simply providing the information as a fact finding service for the Hardee County Industrial Development Authority.

I. CRITERIAa. Company Research

Summary - Florikan is a wholly owned, independent, privately held, 2nd generation family business that manufactures and distributes controlled release fertilizers into the United States horticulture markets, regional turf and specialty agriculture markets. The company has developed two patented fertilizer technologies for blending (Staged Nutrient Release) and coating (Florik.ote). The Florikote technology was invented by Florika.n with assistance from the NASA funded Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program and utilizes next generation polymers and manufacturing processes that enable the encapsulation of unique fertilizer materials that previously were not available for commercial use. A pioneer in Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (E.S.A.) through reduction in nutrient runoff and continuing education, Florikan is the only manufacturer of controlled release fertilizer in Florida and the only wholly owned controlled release fertilizer manufacturer based in the United States. They currently hold two patents for Staged Nutrient Release and Florikote technologies. Florikan is not a base producer of fertilizers and simply uses raw materials supplied by outside vendor in order to make their controlled release blends.

1. EstabHshed1. Founded in 1981 by Ed and Betty Rosenthal

11. Successes-See Historical Sales Growth Chart-See United States Patent Certificates

1. Since Florikan brought Florikote to market in 2008, the company has experience more than 50% year over year growth in production volume

2. Sales have increased >40% since 20093. Asset I Debt ratio is 2:14. 15,000 tons sold annually5. 3 Proprietary Control Release Fertilizer Technologies

a. BLENDING- Staged Nutrient Release® (US Patent 7,267,707 B2)i. Controlling the release ofN/P/K & ME to occur at appropriate stage of

crop cycleb. COATING- Florikote® CRF (US Patent 7,320,724 B2)

i. Polyurethane encapsulated coated products for controlling release of fertilizer nutrients

c. DISTRIBUTION/BLENDING - Nutricote® CRF (Exclusive Distributor USASE-9)

1. Polyolefin homogenous NPK, widely recognized as the premier CRFproduct

ii. North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas

6. In August 2012, Florikan sold the Florik.ote patent and intellectual property to J.R.Simplot. (http://www.simplot.com/about) Qill Q :// ww w . agprofessionai . co m / newsiJ- R : Simplol f o mpany-acquire s - Flori k o t e -Techno.illgy:,l],l 2 1 2 51 J.html )

a. Condition of the sale - Florikan received licenses to use the technologyexclusively for all markets in the State of Florida and ornamentals in the EasternUnited States

b. Through the partnership, the technology will be marketed worldwide

iii. Failures

c. The transaction provided Florikan with working capital to fuel growth and invest in equipment

d. Proceeds are currently being used to ramp up 2013 production due tounprecedented demand

1. "A small fire broke out in Florikan's 5,000 square foot enclosed slow release coating fertilizer facility on Sunday, April 26, 2009. A small drum used to apply liquid polymers to create time release fertilizers caught fire but was contained within the hour. The drum 'was' housed in an isolated area from Florida's main production warehouse." (http://www.prweb.com/printer/2361384.htm)

2. According to the staff at Florikan, this has been the only incident in over thirty years of operation. There were no injuries sustained and minimal property damage or loss of product.

3. Additional safe guards were instituted immediately thereafter and changes in manufacturing process were implemented. Those hanges were inspected and approved by the local fire chief and insurance carrier.

iv. Number of Employees1. 32 Full Time Plant Personnel/ Operations2. 10 Sales & Management3. 7 Administration I Office4. 5 Seasonal

v. Financial Statements1. Reviewed and inspected2. Under a Non-DisclosurAgreement with the Hardee County Chamber of Commerce

vi. Market1. Professional Horticulture

a. Over 10,000 tons ofFlorikote sold since 2008b. #3 Grower in United States uses over 20 TLs ofFlorikote c. 1000 tons 'sold in PNQ/CA in 2012 via SunGrod. Selling Control Release Fertilizer to over 3000+ end-user nurseries e. Supported by largest 2 distributors in Eastern United States

2. Professional Landscape and Lawn carea. Complete line of 6 month Control Release Fertilizer Products developed for

Florida, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana market b. Collier Countyc. Sarasota Countyd. Marion County Parks and Recreation e. Millsapps Collegef. University of South Florida Athletics g. Furman Universityh. St. Pete Catholic High School1. Manatee Schools Sports FieldsJ. School Board ofBroward Countyk. Sea World1. Disney m. Epcotn. Busch Gardens

3. Golf and Sports Turfa. Three years of multiple TL sales of green grade SOP to Anderson's, Inc. b. 500+ of220 Urea sold in Florida by Diamond R Golf Group in 1 year

c. FC Dallas MLS Soccer Team Stadium Field4. Specialty Ag

a. California Strawberry b. Sod Productionc. Sugar Caned. Citruse. Blueberries f.

Tomatoes g. Celery

5. Consumer Lawn and Gardena. Official approved vendor at Lowes in Sta-Green soil branded productsb. Component in Dynamite Plant Food sold at Home Depot C; Sold in independent garden centers in Texvia Fertilome d. Sold in 25# GroSmart brand to farm and feed storese. Local landscape outlets throughout Florida

vii. Benkruptcyt .· None

viii. Legallssues1. None.

b. Business Plan Analysis1. Contribution to the Tax Base

See Hardee County Property Appraiser's Office EstimateSee Sarasota County Tax Record

1. Estimate based on a 120,000 square foot building with 6,000 square feet using the KeyPlex building as a basis.

a. Taxable Value- $5,592,600.00i. Unincorporated- $94,855.53ii. Bowling Green- $135,401.88iii. Wauchula - $126,445.33iv. Zolfo Springs- $142,694.63

2. Sarasota County 2012 Tax Detaila. 1523 Edgar Place, Sarasota ·

i. Real Estate Taxable Value= $20,984.59 b. 1579 Barber Road, Sarasota

i. Personal Taxable Value $1,302,382 = $17,433.30ii. Real Estate Taxable Value $1,310,000 "" $23,444.33

u. Company Investment in Business1. The totality of the company investment in the business is yet to be determined until a

partnership is agreed upon with the IDA.2. The following estimates have been provided:

a. 100,000 - 120,000 square foot building = -$4.6 million b. Land acquisition= -$300,000 - $500,000c. Existing Hard Assets

i. Equipment= -$2.0 million ii. Inventory= -$3.5 million

d. Existing Soft Assets= - $4-5 millione. Potential additional investments after locating in Hardee County

1. Building improvements = -$2.0 million ii. Equipment = - $2.5 millioniii. Inventory= -$500,000- $1 million

iii. Economic FeasibilitySee Projected Sales Growth Chart

1. Projected Sales Growth Chart provided by Florikan based on historical growth combined with an analysis that centered on added growth due to new market successes

2. Florikan,s Research and Development Department is leading the way in creating new products to help not only retain but grow market share in all markets.

a. Horticulture1. Heritage market segment that has been in sales for 33+ years

11. The greatest amount of market shareiii. Projecte4 growth ste,ms from recent hiring of a new veteran sales

repreSentative tO a8sist s or sales representative in highest grossinggeographical area (Homestead, Florida)

iv. Addition of new product linesv. Expanded distribution chain in Northeastern United States

vi. Currently targeting Midwest b. Agriculture

1. Yielded the greatest sales growth in Florikoteu. Projections showing through 2017

m. Focused the past four years on raising brand awareness and introducing fanners to the benefits of controlled release.fertilizers (CRF)

iv. Invested in grower and university trials that show a grower can reducehis/her cost while increasing yields using CRF

v. Trail periods have demonstrated positive results leading to an increase of the acreage being farmed under a Florikote CRF nutritional program

vi. Partnership with one of the largest fertilizer companies in the state whichwill expand network of sales representatives promoting and sellingFlorikote brand

c. Turfi. At the end of 2011, f rmed a partnership with an experienced sales team

that has extensive knowledge in selling CRF's to the turf marketsii. 2012 focused on the goal of raising brand awareness and getting product

into the golf course superintendents hands so they could test it againstcurrent programs

iii. Partnership has netted growth in the tmf marketsiv. Sales are expected continued growth as the team becomes more

comfortable with technologyd. Retail

i. Recent agreement to supply the fertilizer for a major chain store soil lineii. Emergence of GroSmart line of products being sold across the

Southeastern United States in local farm and garden stores iv. Environmental Footprint

1. Safetya. Industrial hygiene testing conducted at facility every 2 years for metered dose

inhaler (MDI) and particulate dustb. Dust tested by OSHA for Kst explosivity and deemed non-detectable (no further

action was required)c. Material Safety Data Sheets are posted and readily available for all products and

inputs2. Environmental

a. Up to date storm water permit and in compliance with regulation from Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Southwest Florida Water Management District

b. No water used in the manufacturing process. Does not generate waste waterc. Dust generated from manufacturing process collected in Dust Collection Bag

Housed. Not required to have an Air Emissions Pennit based off of current production

facility throughoute. VOC emissions from use of MDI have been tested and deemed 'negligible' even

under the strict guidelines of Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) analysisf. Exempt from reporting components under the Toxic Substances Control Act

because all Components are already listed on the MSDS contained on siteg. Does not generate hazardous waste as defined by Resource Conservation and

Recovery Acth. Internal recycling and waste management program that has reduced waste

generation by sixty percenti. No pending environmental or regulatory expoSures

3. Securitya. Florikan's facility is registered with the Department of Homeland Security and

is in compliance with all regulations and requirements since 2009b. Florikan does not inventory or sell any Ammonium Nitrate (34·0·0) fertilizerc. Florikan does not inventory or sell any Anhydrous Ammonium fertilizer d. Florikan does not inventory of sell any liquid fertilizerse. Florikan does not supply any products that are listed as a 5.1 oxidizer status by

the Department of Transportationv. Investment in the Community

See Section ll. B.1. Florikan has a strong community presence in Sarasota County and fully intends to

continue that same community support if relocated to Hardee Countyvi. Innovation Potential

1. By entering into a Memorandof Understanding with BioNitrogen, Florikan has already demonstrated a willirigness for innovative partnerships.

2. The proposed relocation of Florikan in proximity to a rail spur also has the potential for additional recruitment of partnered companies.

c. Needsi. Land

1. At least 10 acresa. Florikan currently has a Memorandum of Understanding with BioNitrogen for

10 acres at their proposed site if/when property agreement is reachedl l. Zoning

1. Industrial/ Manufacturingiii. Permitting

1. Operating permits already in place with appropriate state and federal agencies2. Height restrictions to facilitate efficient production process3. Local permitting requirements to be determined

iv. BuildingI. 100,000-120,000 square foot facility

a. Officeb. Warehousec. Manufacturing

d. Room for expansionv. Infrastructure

1. Immediate or future access to rail vi. Utility

1. Preferred use of natural gas to propane but able to use propane is gas is not available or feasible

2. 480 volt 3 phase electric 2000 amp service3. Basic water and sewer

vii. Monetaryl. Yet to be determined

viii. Workforce Training1. Florikan has been advised that workforce training is available2. Needs for workforce training are still to be determined

d. Jobsi. Wage Level

1. $14-$17 per hourii. Benefits

1. Full-time employees are provided with a paid medical plana. Florikan pays on average 74% of cost based on elected coverage

2. Full-time employees receive 100% employer paid life insurancea. $25,000 employee coverage

3. Full-time employees receive 100% employer paid long term disability4. Vision and dental coverage available5. Full-time employees after 60 day wait period are eligible for 2 weeks vacation and 6

personal days accrued and earned as per company policy6. 7 paid company holidays

111. Skill Set1. Manufacturing2. Labor3. Coding .4. Supervisor

iv. Duration ·1. Full Time and Seasonal

v. Number1. Full Time

a. 20-30 Potential Hardee County Jobsb. 15 Jobs Transferred from Sarasota Facility

2. Seasonal Workers as needed February- JuneVI. Growth Potential

1. Based on growth projection estimates, by 2017 more than 30 full time jobs will be needed

e. Compatibility1. Site-surrounding areas (locally, reg,ionally, statewide)

1. Locala. Proposed site location is currently zoned industrial and is surrounded by other

industrial/manufacturing facilitiesb. Rail access is availablec. If property transaction with BioNitrogen does not come to fruition for any

reason, Hardee County has several other sites zoned appropriately with infrastructure requirements for Florikan's needs

2. Regionala. Close proximity to ports for distribution needsb. Highly agricultural region fitting the type of industryc. Transportation systems already used for current business modeld. In the past 32 years, Florikan has proven to be compatible with the region.

3. Statewidea. In the past 32 years, Florikan has proven to be compatible on a statewide level

ii. Hardee County1. Traditionally, Hardee County's economy has been dominated by the agriculture

industry.2. Similar companies with different markets are currently established in the county.

iii. Market ProductionSee Section1a. vi.

1. Florikan's target market is easily accessible locally, regionally and statewide. tv. Workforce

&onomy Building Strategy Phase 1 University of South Florida Institute of Government.print pg. 29.November 14, 2012

1. Of the 4,088 employed people in Hardee County, 28% of those employed are classified within similar categories fitting the employment needs ofFlorikan

a. Agricultureb. Manufacturingc. Wholesale Trade d. Retail Trade

f. Competition1. Other Areas

1. Port of Manatee2. Port of Tampa

ii. Incentives Offered1. No incentives have been proposed at this time

111. Similar Companies1. Florikan is the only manufacturer of controlled release fertilizer in Florida2. Florikan is the only wholly owned controlled release fertilizer manufacturer based in the

United States g. Benefit to the County

1. In Addition to Tax Base1. 20 - 30 full time jobs for Hardee County residents with potential for additional

positions with projected company growth potential2. 15 imported jobs3. Potential partnership companies4. As Florikan's recognitions indicate, they have been identified on a statewide and

national level for their progressive technology in environmental friendly processes (See Section 11. a.)

5. By creating new jobs, Florikan has the potential to diversify the current workforce withnew skill sets

6. Florikan has demonstrated active community involvement in their current location h. Protection Plan

1. Failure After Investment1. Since investment has not yet been determined, a protection plan cannot be offered at

this time

II. Additionallnformationa. Awards and Recognition

i. Environmental1. 2013 and 2012 Honorable Mention in the Fertilizer Institute's 4R Nutrient Stewardship

Recognition Program2. 2008 Gulf Guardian Award 1st Place - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)3. 2005 Gulf Guardian Award 2nd Place-EPA4. 2003 Environmental Education and Conservation Awarded-Sarasota County5. 1995 Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Environmental Awareness Award6. 1994 Finalist for the State of Florida Department of Agriculture Leadership Award

11. Community1. 2006 Florida Governor's Business Diversification Award- Enterprise Florida2. 2006 Life Achievement Award Presented to Ed Rosenthal-Positive Change Media3. 2001 Excellence in Industry Award -Sarasota County4. 1992 Red Cross Corporate Hero of Hurricane Andrew

iii. Technology & Industry1. 2005 Manufacturer of the Year - Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota

County2. 2004 Technology Innovation Company of the Year-Gulf Coast Business Review3. 2004 Allied Associate of the Year-American Nurserymen and Landscape Association4. 2004 National New Product Award-National Society of Professional Engineers5. 2004 Most Outstanding New Allied Product- South Nursery Association6. 2002 Most Innovative New Product-State of Florida Governor's Award7. 2001 Excellence In Industry Award - Economic Development Committee of Sarasota

Countyb. Community and Industry Support

1. Sarasota and Manatee County Chamber of Commerce Membersn. Industry Memberships

1. Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association2. American Nursery and Landscape Association3. Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association4. The Fertilizer Institute5. Southern Nursery Association6. National Foliage Foundation

m. GrowFL Corporate Participant of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at ilie University ofCentral Florida

iv. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Cooperate Chairman v. Sarasota County United Cerebral Palsy Sponsor

Vl. Crones & Colitis Foundation Sponsorvii. National Breast Cancer Foundation Sponsor

viii. Sierra Club Sponsorix. Horticultural Research Institute Endowment Fund x. Advocating Precautionary Principle Founder

x1. Temple Beth Shalom Schools Gift of Organic Garden and Fruit Tree Orchardxii. Ongoing support of local police and fire departments as well as local community events, food

banks, and youth sports programsc. Strategic Partners

i. Diamond R Fertilizerii. BWI Companies

111. Costa Nursery

iv. BioNitrogenv. Helena Chemical

vi. BASF

Historical Sal·es Growth$25,000,000

$20,000,000

$15,000,000

$10,000,000

$5,000,000

1'10mamental

l:ilAg

o Turf

•Retail.. Total

$-2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

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USPTO PAT§NT FuwTExT AND IMAGD!ATABASE

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United States PatentRosenthal

7,320,724January 22, 2008

Compositions for the staged release of nutrients to plants

Abstract

A fertilizer composition is adapted to stage the controlled release of nutrients such that the composition need only be applied once in a plant's growth cycle, but with individual nutrients releasing at predetermined, staged intervals targeted to the precise needs of plants. Timed release particulate materials are blended to form the composition. The nutrients include a magnesium source (Mg), a potassium source (K.), a nitrogen source (N), and a phosphate source (P). The composition is adapted to release each fertilizer nutrient over a period most beneficial to plants' physiologi<'.,al growth.

Inventors: Rosenthal; Edward (Long Boat Key, FL) Assignee: Florikan E.S.A. Corporation (Sarasota, FL) Family ID: 35756073Appl. No.: 10/973,732Filed: October 26, 2004

Related U.S. Patent Documents

Application Number 60599534

Filing DateAug.,2004

Patent Number Issue Date

Current U.S.Class:Current International Class: Current CPC Class:Field of Search:

71/64.11 ; 71/31AOlN 25/26 (20060101)

C05G 3/0005 (20130101)71164.11,31

References Cited (Referenced By )

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U.S. Patent Documents

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3158462 November 1964 Hansen et al.3223518 December 1965 Hansen et al.3259482 July 1966 Hansen et al.3264089 August 1966 Hansen et al.4321078 March 1982 Michaud4769027 September 1988 Baker et al.4857098 August 1989 Shirley, Jr.4975284 December 1990 Stead et al.5147442 September 1992 Kosuge et al.5560768 October 1996 Gordonov et al.5652196 July 1997 Luthra et al.6080221 June2000 Moore6432156 August2002 O'Donnell, Sr.6500223 December 2002 Sakai et al.6656882 December 2003 Tijsma et al.

Other References

Tucker, Ray 'Essential Plant Nutrients', Oct. 1999, pp. 1-9, downloaded from www.ncagr.com/agronomi/essential.htm. cited by examiner.Downloaded pages from www.florikan.com, on Feb. 16, 2007, including archived materialfrom http:/lweb.archive.org/web/20020922014500/bttp://florikan.com, dated Sep. 2002, 5pages. cited by examiner.Downloaded press release from http://www.anla.org dated Aug. 13,2004. cited byexaminer .Santa Rosa County HortSense, 6 pages, vol. 2, Issue 1, Jan. 2003, see particularly p. 2. citedby examiner.

Primary Examiner: Sayala; C.Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hunton & Williams LLP Rzucidlo; Eugene C.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. patent provisional application Ser. No. 60/599,534, entitled Compositions for the Staged Release of Nutrients to Plants, filed Aug. 6, 2004, and the complete content of that application are incorporated by reference.

Claims

I claim:

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I. A composition for a staged, controlled release of nutrients to at least one plant during various parts of the plant's growing cycle comprising a plurality of timed release particulate materials wherein said timed release is controlled by a semi-permeable resin membrane adapted to provide nutrient release tailored to a plant's nutrition needs over time, and wherein the plurality of timed release materials include: a) a particulate material that releases sufficient phosphorous for said plant's nutritional needs over an early time period of the plant's growth cycle, whereby the early time period ranges over the first months ofroot development of the plant; b) a particulate material that releases sufficient nitrogen for said plant's nutritional needs over a mid-term time period of the plant's growth cycle, whereby the mid-term time period ranges over the months of vegetation and foliation of the plant; c) a particulate material that releases sufficient potassium for said plant's nutritional needs over a late term time period of the plant's growth cycle, whereby the late term time period ranges over the months of flower set of the plant; and d) a particulate material that releases sufficient magnesium for said plant's nutritional needs over a complete crop-cycle, wherein magnesium constitutes at least about 9% of the composition by weight; wherein the composition is adapted such that one application during the plant's entire life cycle candeliver the staged release of nutrients and wherein the composition releases nutrients by osmosis throughsaid semi-permeable resin membrane.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is adapted to release each nutrient over periods and in amounts most beneficial to a targeted plant, the targeted plant's life cycle ranging from about six to about eighteen months, including: releasing phosphorous over the early time period of about the first two to three months of the plant's growth cy<_!le; releasing substantially all the nitrogen over the mid-term time period of about at least the first six months of the plant's growth cycle; and releasing substantiallyall the potassium over the late term period of from about four to about at least eight months of the plant's growth cycle, whereby the potassium continues to be released after the nitrogen is exhausted.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising magnesium.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising nitrogen and potassium.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising nitrogen and phosphorous.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising nitrogen.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising potassium.

9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising potassium and magnesium.

10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising: a nitrogen source comprising a urea.

11. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition 00mprises a first encapsulated particulate material comprising: a nitrogen source comprising a Nitrate Nitrogen;a phosphorous source comprising

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a Phosphoric Acid; a potassium source comprising a Potash. wherein all the nitrogen is substantially released before the flower set.

12. The composition of claim 11 wherein the composition further comprises a second encapsulated particulate material comprising: a potassium source comprising a potassium sulfate;and a magnesium source comprising a magnesium sulfate.

13. The composition of claim 12 wherein the composition further comprises a third encapsulated particulate material comprising a magnesium source.

14. The composition of claim 4 wherein the particulate material comprises potassium nitrate.

15. The composition of claim 5 wherein the phosphorous source comprises a monoammonium phosphate.

16. A m thod of providing for a staged controlled release of nutrients to at least one plant during various parts of the plant's growing cycle, the method comprising: applying to the plant a blend of a plurality of timed release particulate materials wherein individual particulate materials are encapsulated by a semi· permeable resin membrane adapted to provide nutrient release tailored to a plant's nutrition needs over time, and wherein the plurality of timed release materials release: a) phosphorous only sufficient for said plant's nutritional needs over an early release time period of the plant's growth cycle, whereby the early time period ranges over the :first months of root development of the plant; b) nitrogen only sufficient for said plant's nutritional needs over a mid-term time period of the plant's growth cycle, whereby the mid· term time period ranges over the months of vegetation and foliation of the plant; c) potassium only sufficient for said plant's nutritional needs adapted to release potassium over a long term time period of the plant's growth cycle, whereby the late term time-period ranges over the months of flower set of the plant; and d) magnesium only sufficient for said plant's nutritional needs over a complete crop-cycle, wherein magnesium constitutes at least about 9% of the composition by weight; whereby oneapplication of the blend during the plant's entire life cycle can deliver the staged release of the nutrientsand wherein the delivery of said nutrients occurs by osmosis through said semi-permeable resin membrane.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the blend is adapted to release each nutrient over periods and in amounts most beneficial to a targeted plant, the targeted plant's life cycle ranging from about six to about eighteen months, including: releasing phosphorous over the early time period of about the firsttwo to three months of the plant's growth cycle; releasing substantially all the nitrogen over the mid-term period of about at least the first six months of the plant's growth cycle; and releasing substantially all the potassium over the later term time-period of from about four to about at least eight months of the plant's growth cycle, whereby the potassium continues to be released after the nitrogen is exhausted.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the blend comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising magnesium.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the blend comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising nitrogen and potassium.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the blend comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising nitrogen and phosphorous.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the blend comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.

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22. The method of claim 16 wherein the blend comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising nitrogen.

23. The method of claim 16 wherein the blend comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising potassium.

24. The method of claim 16 wherein the blend comprises at least one timed release particulate material comprising potassium and magnesium.

Description

BACKGROUND OF TilE INVENTION

Achieving crop fertilization by timing the release or application of fertilizer nutrients is known. Fertilization in the container-grown wholesale plant industry, for example, has been accomplished by methods including: Multiple applications of granular fertilizer Overhead liquid application of soluble fertilizers Incorporating slow release fertilizers into potting soil Polymer coated fertilizers.

Each of these methods has associated drawbacks. In granular fertilizers, excessive moisture rapidly dissolves granular fertilizer, resulting in uncontrolled amounts of fertilizer being made available to the plant all at once.1bis forces growers to leach the soil to protect their plants from highly soluble salts, leaching fertilizer from the plant. The result is increased labor and fertilization costs, as well as an adverse impact on the environment.

Overhead liquid application of water-soluble fertilizers presents similar problems. The overhead application is inefficient since the liquid fertilizer falls between the plant containers. The result is multiple applications, waste, and harmful elevated nutrient runoff.

Slow release fertilizers delay the dissolution of the fertilizer substrate. Most slow release fertilizers, however, are not dependable in adverse environmental conditions such as high heat and moisture. Hot and wet conditions can cause slow release fertilizers to flash release, causing damage to both the plant material and the environment.

Prior art methods include encapsulating a fertilizer having a given chemical composition or compound such that the nutrients are released over a period of time. For example, coated urea has been used as a source of time released nitrogen, which is a nutrient that promotes plant height and leaf formation in a plant. U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,147,442, 5,560,768 and 6,500,223 each of which is incorporated in its entirety, illustrate such coated fertilizers and methods associated with them.

Encapsulated slow-release fertilizers may be classified into two major groups according to the fertilizer release mechanism:

(i) A first group in which the release is governed by the rate of water permeation through a polymeric or copolymeric membrane of the water-proofing material, and by the rate of fertilizer diffusion away from each coated particle into the surrounding soil. Typical examples of membrane material in slow-release fertilizers ofthis group are copolymers or glyceryl esters of unsaturated acids with dicyclopentadiene (U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,518), epoxy-polyester resins (U.S. Pat. No. 3,259,482), urethanes (U.S. Pat. No.3,264,089) and polystyrenes (U.S. Pat. No. 3,158,462).

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(ii) A second group with relatively thick encapsulating coats, in which release is governed mainly by rupture of the coat, a typical example being particulate fertilizers with sulfur based encapsulation. The rupture occurs upon the penneation of water into the coated particles as a result of the osmotic pressure that builds up within. The sulfur based coating in slow-release fertilizers of this second group are generally produced by spraying onto the particulate fertilizer a molten sulfur based material as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,098

Prior art methods of slowly releasing fertilizer nutrients fail to achieve efficient utilization by a crop or plant since differing stages of crop growth require different nutrients.For example, even though polymercoated fertilizers can be coated with a resin to slow fertilizer releaSe, a drawback of these products isthat they are typically a coated compound at set ratios which do not match the physiological needs of theplant and the timing of the crop. For example, prior art polymer coated fertilizers which are coated with a resin do not match all physiological needs of the plant and the timing of the crop, since the refease of all nutrients is set to occur at the same time, as determined by the compound analysis of the fertilizer prill.

In another example, potassium enhances plant development at the bloom stage, and is best fed to the plant even after the release of nitrogen is substantially complete. Consequently early releasing potassium is redundant as the element is not PRIMARILY needed at the early stage. An early releasing coated nitrogen, or other early releasing coated nutrient or nutrient compound, directed at feeding rootdevelopment has not simultaneously been an efficient source of potassium. Inefficient or multipleapplications of potassiu:tn is required by prior art methods.

Further, extreme environmental conditions can cause both the polymer coated fertilizers described at (i) and (ii) above to release both too fast and too inconsistently, which results in damage to plant material as well as requiring multiple applications. Inefficient fertilization, missed applications, and additional labor costs from multiple applications increase costs and losses with respect to crops. What is needed is a method of delivering the proper single elements of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium as nutrition to plants in the differing stages of plant growth without the need for multiple applications of fertilizer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fertilizer composition and method for staging the controlled release of nutrients such that the composition need only be applied once in at least one plant's growth cycle, but with individual nutrients releasing at predetermined, staged intervals targeted to the precise needs of the plant. A plurality of timed release particulate materials is blended to form the composition. The composition comprises a plurality of plant nutrients. The nutrients include a magnesium source (Mg), a potassium source (K), a nitrogen source (N), and a phosphate source (P). The composition is adapted to release each fertilizer nutrient over a period most beneficial to the plant's physiological growth.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a composition for the controlled release of nutrients to at least one plant during various parts of the plant's growing cycle. The composition comprises a plurality of timed release particulate materials. This composition's timed release materials are adapted to releasephosphorus over a time period targeted to promote root development. The composition is also adapted torelease nitrogen over a time period targeted to promote vegetation and foliation. The plurality of timed release particulate materials release potassium over a time period effective to promote flower set. Finally, the composition releases magnesium over a time period adapted to enhance nutrient uptake and chlorophyll production in the plant Only one application of the composition is required to deliver the nutrients to the plant during it's life cycle, however releasing at staged intervals.

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In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of providing for the controlled release of nutrients to at least one plant during various parts of the plant's growing cycle. The method comprises applying to the plant a blend of a plurality of timed release particulate materials wherein the plurality of timed release materials provide. This blend's timed release materials are adapted to release phosphorus over a time period targeted to promote root development. The blend is also adapted to release nitrogen over a time period targeted to promote vegetation and foliation. The plurality of timed release particulate materials release potassium over a time period effective to promote flower set. Finally, the blendreleases magnesium over a time period adapted to enhance nutrient uptake and chlorophyll production inthe plant. Only one application of the composition is required to deliver the nutrients to the plant duringit's life cycle, however releasing at staged intervals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Compositions and methods for delivering the proper nutrition to plants in the differing stages of plant growth without the need for multiple applications of fertilizer are provided by this invention. The term "fertilizer" as used herein denotes an at least moderately water-soluble chemical substance or mixture of such substances, and the term "particulate fertilizer" used herein denotes any type of comminuted fertilizer such as granulated, pelleted, or microgranulated and the like. A process of Staged Nutrient Release (SNR) is based on the blending of water-soluble nutrient substrates to release different nutrients or nutrient compounds at different staged times over a crop cycle. The nutrients are staged to release in tune with the needs of the target plant.

The composition or blend comprises a plurality of timed release particulate materials. The plurality of timed release particulate materials that may be used in the invention are given by way of non-limiting examples, none of which limit the scope of the invention herein disclosed. Non-limiting examples of compositions which may be employed for timed release particulate materials can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,147,442, 5,560,768 and 6,500,223, each of which is incorporated in its entirety.

In a non-limiting example, semi-permeable resin membranes encapsulate particulate fertilizers. The membranes differ in porosity. The porosities are matched to the solubility of each specific nutrient to control the speed of release. During manufacturing, the thickness of the resin coating together with the choice of resin type coating membrane, creates the release criteria. The fertilizer substrate releases by timed osmosis back through release channels of the semi-permeable membrane, providing the corresponding nutrient to the crop. By matching each nutrient to a given porosity of the membranes, as well as adjusting resin thickness, the process individually controls the time release of each nutrient such at least one plant receive the appropriate fertilizer nutrient at the differing stages of the at least one plant's growth.

In another non-limiting example, individually coated particular fertilizers are blended to achieve a stable and dependable staged release of nutrients over time. P has a low solubility as compared to N or K. N and K, conversely, are much more rapidly soluble.Inorder for P to be released earlier than when it is needed, a more porous coating then can be used on the N or K is selected. As a resul4 P is released earlier, over about two or three months for example. Earlier release of P is in tune with the plant's needs, since the P requirement is common to all crop types insofar as P promotes root development. N and K, on the other hand, are most efficiently provided to a plant later in a crop cycle. Since N and K have a greater solubility than P, a less porous coating is used. The reduced porosity promotes a correspondingly longer release of theN and K, and further, releases theN and Kat a later point in the crop cycle.TheN, for instance, may release at about four to five months into the crop cycle, whereas the K may release on about a four to eight month release curve. This is standard for most crops as flower, fruit or seed set occur at latter stages of plant production or when plants are forced hungry. The SNR unique releasecombinations trigger a potential plant's potential death or end of season response, which further

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stimulates the natural cycle of plant reproduction resulting in greater flower set or winter hardiness. In order to achieve the appropriate nutrient releases, individually coated particular fertilizers are blended to achieve a stable and dependable staged release over time.

In one embodiment, a composition for delivering the proper nutrition to plants in the differing stages of plant growth without the need for multiple applications of fertilizer is provided. Inthis embodiment, a plurality of timed release particulate materials is blended to make the composition. Consequently, the composition comprises a plurality of fertilizer nutrients. The nutrients include a Mg source, a K source,a N source, and a P source. The nutrients may be provided both individually or in combination in any of the plurality of timed release particulate materials

The composition provides for a controlled release of nutrients to a plant during various stages of the plant's growing cycle. The composition comprises a plurality of timed release particulate materials wherein the plurality of timed or staged release materials provide: 1) phosphorus over a time period targeted to promote root development in the plant's growth cycle; 2) nitrogen over a time period targeted to promote vegetation and foliation inthe plant's growth cycle; 3) potassium adapted to release potassium over a time period targeted to promote flower set and hardiness of the plant's growth cycle; and 4) magnesium over a time period targeted to promote nutrient uptake and chlorophyll production inthe plant's growth cycle.

In another embodiment, a method for delivering the proper nutrition to plants in the differing stages of plant growth without the need for multiple applications of fertilizer is provided. In this embodiment, a plurality of timed release particulate materials is blended. This blend thus comprises a plurality of fertilizer nutrients. The nutrients include a Mg source, a K source, a N source, and a P source. The nutrients may be provided both individually or in combination in any of the plurality of timed releaseparticulate materials

The blend provides for a controlled release of nutrients to a plant during various stages of the plant's growing cycle. The plurality of timed release particulate materials or staged release materials provide: 1) phosphorus over a time period targeted to promote root development in the plant's growth cycle; 2) nitrogen over a time period targeted to promote vegetation and foliation in the plant's growth cycle; 3) potassium adapted to release potassium over a time period targeted to promote flower set and hardiness of the plant's growth cycle; and 4) magnesium over a time period targeted to promote nutrient uptakeand chlorophyll production in the plant's growth cycle.

In a non-limiting example of the above-mentioned composition and method, timed release particulate materials such as encapsulated fertilizers may include fertilizer nutrients in various ratios. The uniqueness of Staged Nutrient Release is the ratios change over time as each nutrient charge is initiated while others dissipate.In this fashion Staged Nutrient Release becomes several different fertilizer products, changing as the plant requirements dictate, yet applied as one product due to the staging of nutrient release. This is unique to this product know-how.

Development may comprise a time period most beneficial for a given plant, for instance about the fust three months of the cycle common for many plant species requires an exemplary P source which may be a coated phosphate. Early stage slow release ofP, along with encouraging root development, removes the need for multiple applications ofP.

A coated N source that releases N over a time period targeted to promote vegetation and foliation. The slow release ofN may be in the form of a coated high nitrate nitrogen that evenly releases N over about six months, which is one common, but non-limiting example of the periods for certain short term plant production. However, a longer N release source can be provided for crops requiring longer release

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periods, and further, can be custom blended into an overall composition. TheN would produce plant height and leaf formation midterm in a crop cycle. It also would do away with the need for multiple applications of a granular or liquid N.

A coated K source, which is effective to promote flower set and winter hardiness, may release K over about four to eight months one of the, which is one common, but non-limiting example of the periods for certain short tenn plant production. However, a longer K release source can be provided for crops requiring longer release periods, and further, can be custom blended into an overall composition. The staged nutrient release of K is released over a longer period than N from the N source, resulting in a predetermined changed ratio providing a greater ratio of K to N later in the production cycle. This improves flower set and winter hardiness at the end of crop cycle. Also, the method eliminates the need for multiple applications of a K nutrient source such as liquid or granular potash.

A coated magnesiwn source that releases magnesium over period of a plant's growth cycle. This enhances, inter alia, chlorophyll production and plant nutrient intake.

Finally, a coated source comprised ofP, K, N, and at least one micronutrient may be included in the composition to release over a complete crop cycle. Baseline fertilization occurs over a full crop cycle (e.g.: six, nine, or twelve months). The Staged Nutrient Release composition can be customized and produced to alter the periods for particular crops by supplying nutrients from these sources to release at different speeds. Over this period, the staged nutrient release of the other encapsulated fertilizers release specific nutrients timed to specific stages in a crop's growth cycle. The composition thus wholly eliminates the need for multiple applications of these fertilizers, as the timed-release particulate materials can provide full nutrition appropriate to each stage of a crop's growth cycle.

In another non-limiting example, one timed release particulate material of the blend may be an encapsulated fertilizer comprising time released N--P--K--Mg at the percentages of20-0-13-0. This coated material comprises potassium nitrate that provides readily available single source of controlled released N and K wherein there is more N than K, as opposed to a standard potassium mtrate which releases at the common percentages of 12-0-42. The addition of the 20-0-13-0 material to the blend for staged nutrient release enhances the blend's K source and the N base.

In yet another non-limiting example, the composition can have a coated fertilizer that provides a long term K source, for instance the potassium nitrate releasing at the percentages of 12-0-42.

A coated urea (e.g., 40-0-0) is another non-limiting example of a source ofN to the blend. Any known coated potassium is an example of a source of K.

A coated phosphate such as monoammonium phosphate, at the percentages 10-49-0 is an example of yet another encapsulated fertilizer of the blend. The P source is coated to release in an early period to promote root development.

In another non-limiting example, an encapsulated particulate fertilizer provides a baseline time release, for example about 180 days, so that N will be used up or taper off before the bloom stage of given plant. A fertilizer comprising anN source (e.g.: Ammoniacal Nitrogen and Nitrate Nitrogen), a Phosphoric Acid, and a Soluble Potash at the percentages of 18-6-8 could be used. As blooming occurs and theN release has tapered off, the long-term K aids in the plant's blooming. Also feeding the bloom as N is exhausted, an encapsulated particulate fertilizer comprised of a potassium sulfate (e.g.: 0-0-18) may be added to the blend to provide the source of long-term K; the fertilizer may also comprise a magnesium sulfate (e.g.: 0-0-18-9) to include a source of Mg.

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Another exemplary component of the blend provides a controlled release of Mg. Mg is released over a period oftime from an encapsulated particulate fertilizer comprising a magnesium source (e.g.: 0-0 0-22, 0-0-0-13). The period oftime of release is targeted to enhance nutrient uptake and chlorophyll production. The addition of the 0-0-0-13 fertilizer, for example, provides an additional source of Mg.

The invention thus provides a composition for controlled release of nutrients to plants during various parts of the plants' growing cycle. The composition comprises a plurality of timed release particulate materials. The plurality of timed release materials provides a magnesium source, a potassium source, a nitrogen source, and a phosphate source. The composition is adapted to release each fertilizer nutrient during a period most beneficial to plants and requires only one application during a plant's entire life cycle.

The invention also provides a method of providing for the controlled release of nutrients to at least one plant during various parts of the plant's growing cycle. This method comprises applying a blend of a plurality oftimed release particulate materials to the plant. The plurality oftimed release materials provides a magnesium source, a potassium source, a nitrogen source, and a phosphate source. The blend is adapted to release each fertilizer nutrient during a period most beneficial to a plant and requires only one application during the plant's entire life cycle.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular preferred embodiments and examples thereof, many variations and modifications and other uses may be made without departing from the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all such alterations and modifications be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Further, all examples provided herein do not limit the scope of the invention.

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United States PatentRosenthal , et a!.

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7;267,707September 11, 2007

Polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer

Abstract

A polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer with a coating based upon an isocyanate component and an isocyanate-reactive component comprising a polyether polyol. The process for producing such particles comprises applying an isocyanate-reactive component comprising a polyether polyol onto fertilizer particles to form coated fertilizer particles, applying an isocyanate component onto said coated fertilizer particles; and forming the polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles.

Inventors: Rosenthal; Edward (Long Boat Key, FL),Padgett, Jr.; Leon E.(Lakeland, FL) Assignee: Florilcan E.S.A. Corp.(Sarasota, FL)Family ID:37054099Appl. No.: 11/093,552Filed: March 30, 2005

Current U.S. Class:Current International Class: Current CPC Class:

Field of Search:

71/64.11 ; 71128; 71/64.07AOlN 25/26 (20060101)

COSO 3/0029 (20130101); COSG 3/0047 (20130101); C08G18/4829 (20130101)

71/64.07,28,64.11

References Cited [Referenced By}

3158462322351832594823264089

U.S. Patent DocumentsNovember 1964December 1965July 1966August 1966

Wilson Hansen Hansen Hansen

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4857098 August1989 Shirley5147442 September 1992 Kosuge et al.5538531 July 1996 Hudson et al.5652196 July 1997 Lutbra et al.6039781 March 2000 Goertz et al.6364925 April2002 Markusch et al.6500223 December 2002 Sakai et al.6617412 September 2003 Mark:usch et al.6656882 December 2003 Tijsma et al.

Primary Examiner: Sayala; C.Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hunton & Williams LLP Rzucidlo; Eugene C.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A process for producing polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer particles adapted to release fertilizer from said particles by osmosis through a semi-permeable membrane, wherein said particles are adapted to minimize susceptibility to flash release of fertilizer and further adapted to provide tight up front release of fertilizers and a coat weight of no more than 9% of the composition, comprising:a) pre sealing the fertilizer particles by applying a fine granular material and a vegetable oil to the particles; b) applying an isocyanate-reactive component consisting essentially of a polyether polyol formed byreacting an alkylene oxide with a glycerine nucleus onto fertilizer particles to form coated fertilizer particles;c) applying an isocyanate component onto said coated fertilizer particles of step a); and d) forming the polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the applications of steps b) and c) are executed to form the polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer p cles in increments of0.5 percent of said coating by weight.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said alkylene oxide is propylene oxide.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyether polyol's characteristics comprise: a hydroxyl number of from about 388 to about 408; a nommal functionality of about 3;and a nominal molecular weight of about 400. a viscosity of about 360 cps at about 77 degrees Fahrenheit, of about 160 cps at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and about 78 cps at about 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the isocyanate component comprises a polymethylene polyphenypolyisocyanate.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the polymethylene polyphenylpolyisocyanate comprises characteristics including: a NCO content of about 31.5 percentage by weight; a viscosity of about 200 cps at about 25 degrees Celsius; a hydrolyzable chlorine of about 0.03 5 percentage by weight; a flash point of about 200 degrees Celsius; a density of about 1.23 g/cm3 at about 25 degrees Celsius; an initial boiling point of about 190 mm Hg at about 25 degrees Celsius; and a vapor pressure of about 0.0002 mm Hg at about 25 degrees Celsius.

7. A process for producing polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizers adapted to release

fertilizer by osmosis through a semi-permeable membrane adapted to minimize susceptibility to flash release and further adapted to provide tight up-front release of said fertilizers and a coat weight of no more than 9% of the composition, comprising:a) pre-sealing the fertilizer particles by applying a fine granular material and polyethylene to the particles; b) applying an isocyanate-reactive component consisting essentially of a polyether polyol formed by reacting an alk:ylene oxide with a glycerine nucleus onto fertilizer particles to form coated fertilizer particles; c) applying an isocyanate component onto said coated fertilizer particles of step a); and d) forming the polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises: additionally applying an outer layer to the polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the outer layer comprises: wax; or polyethylene.

10. A polyurethane coating encapsulating a fertilizer wherein said coating is adapted to release fertilizer by osmosis through a semi-permeable membrane, wherein said coating is formed in part by the application of an isocyanate-reactive component consisting essentially of a polyether polyol, wherein said polyether polyol is formed by reacting an alkylene oxide with a glycerine nucleus, with an isocyanate component, and wherein said polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer is adapted to minimize susceptibility to flash release and further adapted to provide tight up-front release of said fertilizer and a coat weight of no more than 8% of the composition, in which the polyurethane is adapted to release nutrient from a nutrient substrate including potassium nitrate in the percentages of 12-0-43 (N-P-K) at rates comprising: from about 1,120 ppm to about 35,000 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; from about 5,200 ppm to about 74,000 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days; and from about 10,500 ppm to about 104,000 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about seven days.

11. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim 10 wherein said coating is up to about six percent of said coating by weight, and wherein said coating releases nutrient at rates comprising: from about 1,000 ppm to about 15,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; from about 3,000 ppm to about 170,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days; and from about 19,000 ppm to about 212,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about seven days.

12. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim I0 wherein said coating is about four percent of said coating by weight, and wherein said coating releases nutrient at rates comprising: about17,200 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; about 74,000 ppm of nitrogen at100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days; and about 104,000 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degreesFahrenheit in about seven days.

13. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim 10 wherein said coating is about five percent of said coating by weight, and wherein said coating releases nutrient at rates comprising:from about 14,600 ppm to about 35,000 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; from about 41,500 ppm to about 58,000 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days; from about 58,000 ppm to about 94,000 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about seven days.

14. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim 10 wherein said coating is about six percent of said coating by weight, and wherein said coating releases nutrient at rates comprising: from about 1,120 ppm to about 12,400 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; from about 8,600 pm to about 36,000 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days; and from about 16,500 ppm to about 54,000 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about seven days.

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15. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim 11 wherein said coating is about four percent of said coating by weight and wherein said coating releases nutrient at rates comprising: about12,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; about 170,000 ppm of potassiumat 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days; and about 212,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degreesFahrenheit in about seven days.

16. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim 11 wherein said coating is about five percent of said coating by weight and wherein said coating releases nutrient at rates comprising: from about 12,000 ppm to about 15,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; fromabout 45,000 ppm to about 120,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days;and from about 110,000 ppm to about 184,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about seven days.

17. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim 11 wherein said coating is about six percent of said coating by weight and wherein said coating releases nutrient at rates comprising: from about 1,000 ppm to about 10,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; from about 3,000 ppm to about 90,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days;and about 56,000 ppm to about 105,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about seven days.

18. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim I 0 wherein said coating is based upon an isocyanate component and an isocyanate-reactive component comprising a polyether polyol.

19. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim 10 wherein said coating is about eight percent of said coating by weight, and wherein said coating releases nutrient at rates comprising: about 2,300 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; about 5,200 ppm of nitrogen at100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days; and about 10,500 ppm of nitrogen at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about seven days.

20. The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer of claim 11 wherein said coating is a\Jout eight percent of said coating by weight, and wherein said coating releases nutrient at rates comprising: about 1,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about one day; about 4,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about three days; and about 19,000 ppm of potassium at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in about seven days.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the art of fertilizer and, more particularly, to a coated granular fertilizer in which the dissolution rates of water-soluble fertilizer components are controlled by coating or encapsulating a granular fertilizer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Achieving crop fertilization by timing the release or application of fertilizer nutrients is known. Fertilization in the containerg·rown wholesale plant industry, for example, has been accomplished by methods including: Multiple applications of granular fertilizer Overhead liquid application of soluble fertilizers Incorporating slow release fertilizers into potting soil Polymer coated fertilizers.

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Each of these methods and compositions has associated drawbacks. A description of the drawbacks associated with prior art methods and compositions can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/973,732, which is incorporated in its entirety herein.

Encapsulating fertilizers to slowly release nutrient to plants is knoWn.. Slow release fertilizers delay the dissolution of the fertilizer substrate. Most slow release fertilizers, however, are not dependable in adverse environmental conditions such as high heat and moisture. Hot and wet conditions can cause slow release fertilizers to flash release, causing damage to both the plant material and the environment.

Prior art methods include encapsulating a fertilizer having a given chemical composition or compound such that the nutrients are released over a period oftime. For example, coated urea has been used as a source of time released nitrogen, which is a nutrient that promotes plant height and leaf fonnation in a plant. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,147,442, 5;560,768 and 6,500,223 each of which is incorporated in its entirety, illustrate such coated fertilizers and methods associated with them.

Encapsulated slow-release fertilizers may be classified into two major groups according to the fertilizer release mechanism:

(i) A first group in which the release is governed by the rate of water permeation through a polymeric or copolymeric membrane of the water-proofing material, and by the rate of fertilizer diffusion away from each coated particle into the surrounding soil. Typical examples of membrane material in slow-release fertilizers of this group are copolymers or glyceryl esters of unsaturated acids with dicyclopentadiene (U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,518), epoxy-polyester resins (U.S. Pat. No. 3,259,482), urethanes (U.S. Pat. No.3,264,089) and polystyrenes (U.S. Pat. No. 3,158,462).

(ii) A second group with relatively thick encapsulating coats, in which release is governed mainly by rupture of the coat, a typical example being particulate fertilizers with sulfur based encapsulation. The rupture occurs upon the permeation of water into the coated particles as a result of the osmotic pressure that builds up within. The sulfur based coating in slow-release fertilizers of this second group are generally produced by spraying onto the particulate fertilizer a molten sulfur based material as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,098.

Inefficient fertilization using past existing polymer coated fertilizers described at (i) and (ii) above increases costs and losses with respect to crops.In order to achieve the safe release of nutrient, current slow-release coated fertilizers must be relatively thickly coated, as measured by percentages of weight. Thicker coatings are necessarily more costly as result of, inter alia, the need for more coating materials. What is needed is an encapsulated slow-release fertilizer that can safely release nutrient to plants using coating that is more efficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTI.ON

The present invention provides a process for producing polyurethane encapsulated, slow-release fertilizer particles. The process comprises applying an isocyanater·eactive component that includes a polyether polyol onto fertilizer particles to form a coating on the fertilizer particles, and applying an isocyanate component onto said fertilizer particles. The applications of each component may be repeated so as to form the polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles comprising up to about nine percent of said coating by weight.

Another embodiment provides coated granular fertilizer comprising polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertilizer particles comprising a coating of up to about six percent of said coating by weight, said

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wherein the coating releases nutrient from a nutrient substrate. The conditions for each of the nutrient release rates below are at 100 degrees Fahrenheit--(e.g.: nitrogen release at about 1,120 ppm at 100 degrees Fahrenheit). The nutrient substrate can include potassium nitrate in the percentages of 12-0-43 (N-P-K) at release rates comprising from about 1,120 ppm to about 35,000 ppm of nitrogen in about one day, from about 5,200 ppm to about 74,000 ppm of nitrogen in about three days, and from about 10,500 ppm to about 104,000 ppm of nitrogen in about seven days. The coated fertilizer also can release from about 1,000 ppm to about 15,000 ppm of potassium in about one day, from about 3,000 ppm to about170,000 ppm of potassium in about three days, and from about 19,000 ppm to about 212,000 ppm ofpotassium in about seven days.

The nitrogen release of this coated fertilizer at about four percent of the coating is about 17,200 ppm of nitrogen in about one day, about 74,000 ppm of nitrogen in about three days, and about 104,000 ppm of nitrogen in about seven days. At about five percent of the coating by weight the coating releases nutrient at rates comprising about from about 14,600 ppm to about 35,000 ppm of nitrogen in about one day, from about 41,500 to about 58,000 ppm of nitrogen in about three days, and from about 58,000 to about94,000 ppm of nitrogen at lOO degrees Fahrenheit in about seven days. Nitrogen release at about six percent of said coating by weight is from about 1,120 ppm to 12,400 ppm of nitrogen in about one day,from about 8,600 ppm to about 36,000 ppm of nitrogen in about three days, and from about 16,500 ppmto about 54,200 ppm of nitrogen in about seven days. When the coating is about eight percent by weight, nitrogen release rates comprise about 2,300 ppm in about one day; about 5,200 ppm in about three days;and about 10,500 ppm in about seven days.

As regards potassium release, when the coating of the granular fertilizer is about four percent of the coating by weight the coating releases potassium at rates comprising about 12,000 ppm of potassium in about one day, about 170,000 ppm of potassium in about three days, and from about 212,000 ppm of potassium in about seven days. At about five percent of the coating by weight, the release rates comprise from about 12,000 ppm to about 15,000 ppm of potassium in about one day, from about 45,000 ppm to about 120,000 ppm of potassium in about three days, and from about 110,000 ppm to about 184,000ppm of potassium in about seven days. Potassium release·rates at about six percent of the coating by weight comprise:.from about 1,000 ppm to about 10,000 ppm of potassium in about one day, from about3,000 ppm to about 90,000 ppm of potassium in about three days, and from about 19,000 ppm to about105,000 ppm of potassium in about seven days. When the coating is about eight percent by weight,potassium release rates comprise about 1,000 ppm in about one day; about 4,000 ppm in about three days; and about 19,000 ppm in about seven days.

The polyurethane encapsulated, slow release fertili.zer1s coating can be based upon an isocyanate component and an isocyanate-reactive component comprising a polyether polyol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall block flow diagram of the method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The coated granular fertilizer according to the invention can comprise a particulate fertilizer to be covered with a resin composition. The particulate fertilizer used in the present invention is not critical with respect to the type and may be any known chemical fertilizer. Examples of the fertilizer include ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, urea, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, potassium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and composite fertilizers thereof.

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The granular fertilizer is coated with a water-resistant film-forming polyurethane composition. The composition should comprise a isocyanate-reactive polyether polyol and an isocyanate component, and optionally, other polymers, waxes, inorganic and organic powders and surface active agents. The waxes used in the present invention may be any waxes provided that they are soluble in solvents for the essential polymers. Examples of such waxes include paraffin wax, hardened oils, bee wax, Japan wax, rosin, petroleum resins and the like.

The invention provides compositions and methods for delivering the proper nutrition to plants by the encapsulation of fertilizer particles. The term "fertilizer" as used herein denotes an at least moderately water-soluble chemical substance or mixture of such substances, and the tenn "particulate fertilizer"used herein denotes any type of comminuted fertilizer such as granulated, pelleted, or microgranulatedand the like. Nutrient releases is described in tenns of parts per million (ppm) at about plus(+) or minus20% (-)of the ppm given (i.e.+ or-1,000 ppm of potassium release).The following examples further illustrate details for the process of the present invention, and the preparation of the compositions of this invention. The invention, which is set forth in this disclosure, is not to be limited either in spirit or scope by these examples. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that known variations of the conditions and processes of the following preparative procedures can be used to prepare these compositions. Unless otherwise noted, all temperatures are degrees Celsius and all parts and percentages are parts by weight and percentages by weight, respectively.

EXAMPLES

Polyol:a polyether polyol obtained by adding propylene oxide to a glycerine nucleus. The polyol has a hydroxyl number of :from about 388 to about 408, a nominal functionality of about 3; and a nominal molecular weight of about 400. Its density in lbs/gallon at 77 degrees Fahrenheit is about 8.75; at I 00 degrees Fahrenheit is about 8.68 and at 120 degrees Fahrenheit is about 8.61. The polyol's viscosity is about 360 cps at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, about 160 cps at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and about 78 cps at120 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a specific heat of 0.5 BTU/lb Fahrenheit, and a thermal conductivity of0.087 BTU/lb ft.sup.2 Fahrenheit/in. An exemplary polyol is commercially available as BASF PlurocolGP430.

Isocyanate: A polymethylene polyphenylpolyisocyanate having a NCO content of about 31.5% by weight, a viscosity of about 200 cps, at about 25 degrees, a hydrolyzable chlorine of about 0.035% by weight, a flash point of about 200 degrees, density of about 1.23 g/cm.sup.3 at about 25 degrees, an initial boiling point of about 190 mm Hg at about 25 degrees; and vapor pressure of about 0.0002 mm Hg at about 25 degrees. The isocyanate is a polymeric MDI with a functionality of about 2.7 An example is commercially available as BASF Lupranate M20S

Encapsulation of Fertilizer Pellets:

Among other things, compositions and methods of the present invention can provide proper nutrition to plants in the differing stages of plant growth. In a non-limiting example, semi-permeable resin membranes encapsul te particulate fertilizers. The membranes differ in porosity. The porosities are matched to the solubility of each specific nutrient to control the speed of release. During manufacturing, the thickness of the resin coating together with the choice of resin type coating membrane, creates the release criteria. The fertilizer substrate releases by timed osmosis back through release channels of the semi-permeable membrane, providing the corresponding nutrient to the crop. By matching each nutrient to a given porosity of the membranes, as well as adjusting resin thickness, the process individually controls the time release of each nutrient such at least one plant receives the appropriate fertilizer nutrient at the differing stages of the a plant's growth. A description of proper nutrition ina plant in the differing stages of plant growth as well as exemplary methods and compositions for providing such

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nutrition can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/973,732, incorporated herein.

FIG. 1 is an overall block flow diagram of the method of the invention. The method begins byintroducing the fertilizer particles into a rotary blender 100. In one example, 50 lbs of substrate potassiwn nitrate is introduced into the blender. The substrate is then heated 110 to approximately 60 degrees for time sufficient to drive all moisture out of the material.

An isocyanate-reactive polyether polyol is applied onto the fertilizer particles to form a coating on said fertilizer particles 120. For example, two ounces of the polyol component (Plurocol) can be added to the substrate. No pressure is used, and the material is slowly poured onto the substrate while the rotaryblender is in operation. The relatively low viscosity of the polyol allows rapid and even coverage of allthe substrate particles. Next, the isocyanate component is applied to the fertilizer 130.In the example, after 2 minutes of blending, the isocyanate (Lupranate) binder is introduced, again by simply pouring it into the agitating material. Complete reaction can occur within about 6 to 7 minutes without any clumping of the processed substrate at any time during the reaction. This process can then be repeated140, without increasing the rate of application. Modifications may include pre-sealing the substrate material with vegetable oil or polyethylene, and/or using an outer layer of wax or polyethylene to extend release time. Analysis ofthese examples made via the method are shown in Table 1.

In another example, five (5) batches of polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer are made using following procedure. A potassium nitrate substrate of 13.5-0-45 (N-P-K) is heated about 225 degrees F., with the temperature kept constant a plus or minus 15 degrees throughout process. A fine granular matter, such as ionized iron oxide pigment, may then be added at 0.5% to the heated substrate. Then 0.5% canola oilmay be added. This seals imperfections in the individual priUs, allowing the polymers to form completely around each prill. The use of the vegetable oil (e.g. canola) in this process eliminatespremature or "flash release" of nutrients, which can cause burn to plants. The addition of iron oxide is also coloring process, giving the prills a brownish red color. Pluracol is then added at 0.75% and allowed to mix thoroughly. Then 0.75% ofthe lupranate is added. Reaction time is complete in 7-8minutes at the heated temperature, and the momentary clumping does not occur at this temperature. Tills process may then be repeated 3 more times, with each addition of polymer weighed carefully, so the final product has 6lbs of polymer reacted. By calculated weight, the polymer coating is 6/107lbs., or5.6%. (With respect to the polymer coated potassium nitrate, the percentages of 12-0-43, as used herein,are shown using this example. Beginning with 100 lbs of 13.5-0-45, then the final analysis would be100/107 .times.l3.5-0-45, which is 12.6-0-42.05. Primary nutrients (N-P-K) are expressed as whole numbers, so the percentages are expressed as 12-0-42.) Analysis of these examples is shown in Table 3. Analysis:

Using this process, one set of samples of the polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles beginning with the initial coating of about 0.5% up to about 6% coating by weight were retained. Beginning with the coating at about the 3% level, after 12 days in room temperature water, prill failure rate was less than3% of the prills, going down to the 6% coating, which exhibited two (2) priUs which became soft and floated up after stirring the sample of2 tbsp in 6 oz of water. The samples' demonstrated resistance to prill failure shows that the coated fertilizer is not subject to unsafe flash release.

Samples of polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles with the 3%, 4%, 5% and 6% coatings were compared to 2 month (H2), 4 month (H4), and 8 to 9 (P8) month coated time released potassium nitrate commercially available from Haifa and Pursell. All of the compared coated fertilizers included time released potassium nitrate at the percentages of 12-0-43 (N-P-K) as the fertilizer substrate. The results of the comparison of the exemplary polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles of the present inventionat 4% (A4), 5% (AS) and 6% (A6) levels of coating are shown below in Table 1.

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With respect to the 2 to 3 month Haifa product (H2) vs. the A4 sample, the A4 demonstrated tighter release at day one. All nutrient release was trialed at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As shown in Table 1 below, A4 released Nitrogen at 17,200 parts per million (ppm) versus H2's Nitrogen release at 36,200 ppm; A4's potassium release was 12,000 ppm versus H2's 90,000 ppm. This indicates that the A4 can perform very well even at about a 3.5% level of coating. A4 showed to be still tighter than H2 at the 7 day level, since A4 released Nitrogen at 104,000 ppm versus H2's Nitrogen release at 111,600 ppm and A4's potassium release of212,000 ppm versus H2's 224,000 ppm.

When compared to the 4 to 5 month Haifa product (H4), the A5 sample was so much tighter that a coating of up to from about 4% to about 4.5% could safely be used over the same time period as the H4 product.

As regards the A6 sample when compared to the 8 to 9 month Polyon (P8), the A6 sample demonstrated comparable results through the 3 and 7 day results, although the A6 more slowly released nutrient. The slower release of nutrient indicates that there may be up to thirty days longevity infield performance.

The results in Table 1 below show that the encapsulated fertilizer particles of the present invention have tighter upfront release of nutrient, which demonstrates complete safety to plants. The comparativeresults are set forth in Table 1 below.It is seen that the conductivity values, the measurement of low soluble salts, go down with each additional layer of polymer, indicating that release longevity can be controlled by amount of polymer added. Also, the encapsulated fertilizer particles when placed in water for 3 weeks showed no susceptibility to flash release.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I NUTRIENT RELEASE AT IOO.degree. F. SAMPLEIDPARAMETER UNIT DAY 1 DAY 3 DAY 7 A4 12-0-43 Nitrogen ppm 17,200 74,000 104,000 Potassium ppm 12,000170,000 212,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 92.00 658.00 900.00 A5 12-0-43 Nitrogen ppm 14,60058,000 94,400 Potassium ppm 12,000 120,000 184,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 102.00 520.00 740.00A6 12-0-43 Nitrogen ppm 12,400 36,000 54,200 Potassium ppm 10,000 90,000 114,000 Conductivitymmhos/cm 60.00 248.00 452.00 H2 12-0-43 Nitrogen ppm 36,200 98,000 111,600 Potassium ppm90,000 206,000 224,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 682.00 874.00 960.00 H4 12-0-43 Nitrogen ppm34,000 74,000 84,600 Potassium ppm 70,000 176,000 192,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 504.00 700.00818.00 P8 12-0-43 Nitrogen ppm 13,800 38,000 56,800 Potassiwn ppm 20,000 82,000 118,000Conductivity mmhos/cm 148.00 342.00 486.00

The results in Table 2 below show that the encapsulated fertilizer particles of the present invention have tighter upfront release of nutrient, which demonstrates complete safety to plants. In the examples set forth, the coating was up to about eight to nine percent. The coating percentages are listed in the table. Among other things, these exemplary results indicate that a coating of 6% can be designed to release over 9 months.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 NUTRIENT RELEASE AT SAMPLE 100.degree.F. ID PARAMETER UNIT DAY 1 DAY 3 DAY 7 Fertilizer A- 11-8 Nitrogen ppm 5,600 7,400 11,600 (At about 8%) Potassium ppm 2,000 3,000 23,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 14.00 20.00 120.00 Fertilizer A- 11-9Nitrogen ppm 6,600 7,600 12,000 (At about 9%) Potassium ppm 3,000 4,000 184,000 Conductivitymmhos/cm 19.00 27.00 110.00 Fertilizer A- 15-4 Nitrogen ppm 35,000 41,500 58,000 (At about 5%) Potassiwn ppm 15,000 45,000 110,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 96.00 226.00 596.00 Fertilizer A- 15-6Nitrogen ppm 5,600 8,600 16,500 About 6%) Potassium ppm 1,000 3,000 56,000 Conductivitymmhos/cm 4.00 23.00 232.00 Fertilizer A- 15-8 Nitrogen ppm 2,300 5,200 10,500 (About 8%) Potassium ppm 1,000 4,000 19,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 10.00 30.00 111.00 SAMPLE ID

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgilnph-Parser?Sectl =PT02&Sect2=IDTOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%... 5/8/2013

PARAMETER UNIT Result Detection Limit Fertilizer A- 15-8 Total Nitrogen% 13.06 0.10 (N) Soluble Potash% 40.01 0.01 (K20) Iron (Fe) % 0.16 0.01

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgilnph-Parser?Sectl=PT02&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%... 5/8/2013

uruLe;::u .:nares ratent: 11.0 1/U1 Page 10 oflO

The following results shown in Table 3, which all include example of 12-0-43 potassium nitrate at 6% coating by weight, also demonstrate examples of the consistency of fertilizer release at 100 degrees in water bath for and through 7 days. When placed in water at room temperature for 6 days, there was no prill failure. Samples of the products were sent to lab for accelerated release tests on 6 pound polymer levels. Tests done on products when the isocyanate-reactive polyether polyol and isocyanate componentwere added at 2% per layer showed tendency to agglomerate and Jose coating to blender surface, so1.5% maximum has been adopted. The results in Table 3 below also show that the encapsulated fertilizerparticles of the present invention have tighter upfront release of nutrient, which demonstrates complete safety to plants. The measurement of low soluble salts in these results confirm the stability of coating at accelerated temperatures.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 NUTRIENT RELEASE AT SAMPLE 1OO.degree. F. ID PARAMETER UNIT DAY 1 DAY 3 DAY 7 05001 -Fertilizer Nitrogen ppm 1,490 10,000 27,700 12-0-43 Potassium ppm 1,300 12,000 71,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 18.00 134.00 388.00 05002- Fertilizer Nitrogen ppm 1,760 11,000 23,700 12-0-43 Potassium ppm 2,200 16,000 79,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 23.00148.00 413.00 05003- Fertilizer Nitrogen ppm 1,480 10,200 26,900 12-0-43 Potassium ppm 1,20013,000 96,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 15.00 130.00 420.00 05004- Fertilizer Nitrogen ppm 1,26011,600 27,700 12-0-43 Potassium ppm 1,000 14,000 93,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 13.00 136.00430.00 05005- Fertilizer Nitrogen ppm 1,120 10,600 28,200 12-0-43 Potassium ppm 900 19,000104,000 Conductivity mmhos/cm 12.00 151.00 454.00 05006- Fertilizer Nitrogen ppm 1,380 11,30025,900 12-0-43 Potassium ppm 1,300 21,000 105,000 Polymer Coated Conductivity mmhos/cm 15.00153.00 448.00

It should be understood that the above description is only representative of illustrative embodiments and examples. For the convenience of the reader, the above description has focused on a limited number of representative examples of all possible embodiments, examples that teach the principles of theinvention. The description has not attempted to exhaustively enumerate all possible variations or evencombinations of those variations described. That alternate embodiments may not have been presented for a specific portion of the invention, or that further undescribed alternate embodiments may be available for a portion, is not to be considered a disclaimer of those alternate embodiments. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that many of those undescribed embodiments, involve differences in technology and materials rather than differences in the application of the principles of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited to less than the scope set forth in the following claims and equivalents.

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vvcJ VIew (:U.1U ..1:11srory 1 J.K. :SlDlplot Company Page 1 of2

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ABOLJr SIMPlOT SUSTAINABJlllY INTERNATIONAl CAR£ERS NEWS

.,. >' I• "I ' •

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{' SEA CH

> About Slmptot

ABOUT SIMPLOT

OUR FOUNDER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ABOUT SIMPLOT

The J. R. Simplot Company was started by an energetic entrepreneur in 1929.and grew from a one-man farming operation into a food and agribusiness empire.

U.S. OPERATIONS The Company's vertical Integration-seed production. farming.fertilizer manufacturing, frozen-food processing,

COMMUNITY INVOlVEMENT

EBUSINESS

SUPPLIERS

and food brands and distribution - has nurtured a diverse array of internaltalents and resources,creating a symbiosis that few other organizations achieve. Our phosphate reserves and large land holdings are a storehouse of valuable physical resources that embody the company'ssolid financialbase.

The pillars of our organization- Passion for People.Spirit of Innovation,and Respect tor Resources - ore as relevant now as they were when young Jack Simplot began his long

http://www.simplot.com/about 5/9/2013

journey toward remarkable success.

http://www.simplot.com/about 5/9/2013

'V ¥'-HU,;;w auu ru:;wry I J•.K. :snnplot Company Page 2 of2

He was an innovator from the start,but our founder's accomplishments accelerated after creating fhe first commercially-viable frozen french f(res In the 1940s. That momentum continues today,wtth technology improvements that are revolutionizing plant research and food production.

The company has Invested significant resources to ensure that our operations are sustainable and environmentally friendly.J.R. always understood that most resources ore finite. Our goalas a company has been to be the finest stewards possible of the air,water. land,and other resources on which we all rely.

Even though J.R. is gone,his legacy has been perpetuated by members of his family,four of whom comprise the executive committee of our board of directors. They have continued the tradition of plowing profits back into the enterprise,responsibly advancing J.R.'s lifelong mission of Bringing Earth's Resources to Life.

Through good times and difficult times,the family has remained true to Jack's originalvision. It has enabled the J. R. Simplot Company to operate under a sound long-term strategy stretching over decades,a rare situation in today's world of market volatility.

e 2013 J. R. Slmplot Company

Contact Us I Copyright I Privacy Policy I Terms & Conditions I Employee Space I '1

Ci PRINTTHIS

ROFESSIONALJ. R. Simplot Company acquires Florikote TechnologyJ. R.Simplot 1 September26,2012

The J. R. Simplot Company, a globalsupplier of crop nutrient products has purchased the patented Florikote technology from Florikan, a specialist in polymer-coated fertilizer technologies. The two companies will jointly promote and distribute this new controlled-release fertilizer in the worldwide turf, ornamentaland specialty agriculture markets.

The technology is a recently developed and patented polymer-coated fertilizer invented by Florikan with assistance from the NASA-funded Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program. Florikote utilizes next-generation polymers and manufacturing processes that enablethe encapsulation of unique fertilizer materials that previously have not been availablecommercially.

The purchase and collaboration reinforces Simplot's position as a market leader of controlled release fertilizers while providing Florikan with the opportunity to realize the full market potential of the Florikote technology through access via an accompanying license arrangement.

"Fiorikote is an innovative new technology that will enhance our controlled release product line as we further leverage our BEST and APEX brands within our Turf & Horticulture business," said Jeff Roesler, Simplot vice president of supply and speciaHy business units. "We will begin integrating the technology into existing production and distribution facilities to expeditiously bring it to customers while establishing the brand in new markets over the long term."

Simplot AgriBusiness Group president Garrett Lotto said the new technology represents a key breakthrough in nutrient stewardship.

"We feel this advanced technology has applications throughout many of our market segments, and we are excited about our newly formed association with Florikan," he said. "Offering controlled release fertilizers supports Simplot's sustainability initiatives as these technologiesfrt well with the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship." (For more information on the 4R nutrientphilosophy visit http://www.nutrientstewardship.com/about)

According to Jon Rosentha,l a principalat Florikan, the association between the two companies is good for both organizations.

"The partnership with Simplot enables the Florikote technology to impact broader markets while providing Florikan with the resources to expand its business and meet the growing demand of its customer base," he said. "We feel that Simplot, with its deep expertise in controlled release fertilizers, is an idealpartner to support our mission in improving the efficiency of fertilization."

Simplot will market the technology exclusively to customers in the western U.S and internationally, while Florikan will exclusively market Florikote in its core horticultural markets in

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J. K. lDlplot Company acquires Florikote Technology - Newsroom- Ag Professional Page 2 of2

the eastern U.S. and all markets in Florida.. Together, the companies wifl make Florikote available to all markets coast-to-coast and worldwide.

Find this article at:http://www.agprofessional.com/news/J-R-Simplot-Company-acquires-Fiorikote-Technology-171212511.html

0 Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article.

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5/8/2013

norlkan ESA Corporation Contains Small Fire in Polymer Coating Drum Page I of2

Fforikan ESA Corporation Contains Small Fire in Polymer Coating Drum

A sman fire broke out in Florikan's 5,000 square foot enclosed slow release coating fertilizer facility on Sunday Apri126,2009. A small drum used to apply liquid polymers to create time release fertilizers caught fire but was contained within the hour. It is housed in an isolated area from Florikan's main production warehouse. Fortunately,no one was injured and there is minor damage to property due to extensive sprinkler irrigation.

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) April 26, 2009

Florikan ESA (Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Corporation experienced a small fire on Sunday afternoon, April 26 in its outside polymer coating facility. The cause of the fire is being investigated.Fortunately, no injuries occurred and there is only minor structuraldamage to properly. The fire was contained within 1 hour of its occurrence due to extensive sprinklersystems.

Florikan has been in operation in Sarasota County distributing fertilizers since 1981 and has not experienced a similar occurrence.Florikan does not handle or inventory raw ammonium nitrate. AJImaterials were contained on site and Florikan has hired a mitigation company to clean up the water assodated with the sprinkler flooding.

Florlkan will be cooperating with the appropriate state and localagencies to determine the cause of the fire and ensure it never happens again. Florikan is most thankfulfor the rapid and most competent response from the Sarasota County Fire Department and localauthorities.

Aorikan has been in business since 1981 and employs over 60 individuals in Sarasota County.It is thankful to the community for its support as we recover from this unfortunate event.Florikan will be back in production this week.

About FlorikanFlorikan is a company that specializes in time-release fertilizer that reduces the need for repeat fertilizer applications, thereby reducing the potentialfor nutrient runoff.Florikan has received several accolades for its innovative technology andbest manufacturing practices including:

Sarasota County EDC 2001 Industry in Excellence AwardSarasota County EDC 2005 Manufacturer of the Year2004 National Society of ProfessionalEngineers Most Innovative New Product2001 State of Florida Governor's Best New Product Awad2005 and 2008 Gulf Guardian Award administered by the EPA

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release,contact Tiffany Shrier at tiffany.shrier (at) florikan(dot) com or at (941) 3n-B666

Online at http://www.florikan.com.

Contact Information

Tiffany ShrierFlorikan ESA Corporationwww.f!orlkan.com941-377-8666

Di1clalmer:If you have any questions regarding information In these press releases please contact the company listed In the press release.

Please do not contact PR'Aieb®.We wHI be unable to assist you with your Inquiry.

PRWeb® disclaims any content containedIn these releases.Our complete disclaimer appears here.

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C1 Copyright 1997·2012, Vocus PRW Holdings,LLC.Vocus, PRWeb and PubUcity Wire are trademarics or registered trademarks of Vow s . In c . or Vocus PRW Holdings,

LLC.

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5/8/2013

l'Ju•· an U!rporauon L:onwnsma.tt.l'rre m.l:'olymer Coating Drwn Page 2of2

T•.,,of Sor.ioe f Prtvoey Policy

casey@hardeecc.com

From: Sent: To: Subj,ct:

Bud Heggie [b.heggie@hardeepa.com] Monday, May06, 201310:29AM casey@hardeecc.comTax Estimate120,000sf Building

Casey,

Based on a 120,000sf building with 6,000sf of office space using the Key Plex building as a basis for the building, the estimated taxes is listed below using the current millage rates that are set by the taxing authorities.

***********************************************************************************************************************TAXABL E VALUE Unincorporated

0.0169609BowlinP- Green

0.0242109

Wauchula0.0226094

Zolfo Springs0.0255149

$5,592,600.00 $ 94,855.53 $ 135,401.88 $ 126,445.33 $ 142,694.63

************************************************************************************************************************

Ishowed all taxing authorities just in case you needed a

comparison. Regards,

Bud Heggie,CFEHardee County Property Appraiser's OfficePhone:(863) 773-2196Fax: (863) 773-0954

1

http://sarasotatax.collector.governmax.com/collectmax/tab_collect_mvp V7.32.asp?PrintV... 5/9/2013

EC

- ·

-·

·-

Sarasota County Tax Collector

Tax Record

Last Update: 5/9/2013 1:36:26 PM EDT

generated on 5/912013 1:36:26 PM EDT

(Register for eBill]

Ad Valorem Taxes and Non-Ad Valorem AssessmentsThe information contained herein does not constitute a title search and should not be relied on as such.

" -= ==·

'""'-·Account Number Type Tax Tax Year0237-11-0003 REAL ESfATE 201

Mailing Address Property AddressBHER FAMILY LIMITED PRTSHP 1523 EDGAR PL 0011523 EDGER PLSARASOTA FL 34240

Base Exempt Amount Taxable Valuesee below see below

Exeuption Detail Millage Code Escrow CodeNO EXEMPTIONS 0100Lega1 Description1523 EDGAR PL LOTS 2 & 3 EASTERN INDUSTRIAL PARK S 2

Taxing Authority Rate Assessed Exemption Taxable TaxesValue Amount Value Levied

sarasota Co. General Revenue 3.1530 1,108,800 0 $1,108,800 $3,496.05Bonds-Debt Se ice 0.1577 1,108,800 0 $1,108,800 $174.86Mosquito control 0.0805 1,108,800 0 $1,108,800 $89.26Sarasota Memorial Hospital 1.0863 1,108,800 0 $1,108,800 $1,204.49SW FL Water Management Dist. 0.3928 1,108,800 0 $1,108,800 $435.54West Coast Inland Navigation 0.0394 1,108,800 0 $1,108,800 $43.69 sarasota School BoardSchool District Fund 6.3160 1,108,800 0 $1,108,800 $?,003.18School Capital Impr 1.5000 1,108,800 0 $1,108,800 $1,663.20Emergency Medical Services 0.6600 1,108,800 0 $1,lOB,800 $731.81

tal Mi1lage I

-13.3857 1 Total Taxes I $14,842.08

---- Non-Ad Valorem Assessm-e n·t s Code Levying Authority AmountF052 Sarasota County Fire Rescue $4,983.75W056 Stormwater Utility $1,158.76

Total Assessments I $6.,142.51 1Taxes & Assessments $20,984.59

If Paid By Amount Due$0.00

http://sarasotataxcollector.govemmax.cornlcollectmax/tab_collect_mvptaxV7.32.asp?PrintV... 5/9/2013

I

a:)iila:suta t.-ounty 1ax couector Page 2 of2

Date Paid Transaction Receipt I Item Amount Paid3/28/2013 PAYMENT 9117882.0002 I 2012 $20,984.59

Prior Year Taxes Due

NO DELINQUENT TAXES

http://sarasotataxcollector.govenunax.com/collectmax/tab_collect_mvptaxV7.32.asp?PrintV... 5/6/2013

Sarasota County Tax Collector

Yax Record

Last Update: 5/6/2013 9:03:20 AM EDT

generated on 516/2013 9:03:20 AM EDT

Rcg1sle1 tor eBill

Ad Valorem Taxes and Non-Ad \!alorern Assessments

- m:WSIL!. - --·· --lht:. infurmation cont:ined herein dt.es not co.,;;titutl' !I title s arch and sh'luld not be relieri on ns :;uch

Acc.>unt Number Type Tax Tax YearB00830.0753 PERSONAL 2012

Mailing Address Property AddressFLORIKAN ESA CORP 1579 BARBER RD 0011579 BARBER RD SARASOTA FL 34240

Ease Exempt Amount Taxable Valuesee bel.ow see bel.ow

Exemption Detail Mill.age Code Escrow CodePX 25000 0100Legal Description1579 BARBER RD

Ad Valorem Taxes

Taxing Authority RateAssessed Exemption Taxable TaxesValue Amount Value Levied

sarasota Co. General Revenue 3.1530 1,327,382 25,000 $1,302,382 $4,106.41Bonds-Debt Service 0.1577 1,327,382 25,000 $1,302,382 $205.39Mosquito Control 0.0805 1,327,382 25,000 $1,302,382 $104.84Sarasota Memorial HoBpital l. 0863 1,327,382 25,000 $1,302,382 $

1,414.78sw FL Water Management Dist. 0.3928 1,327,3B2 25,000 $1,302,382 $511.58West Coast Inland Navigation 0.0394 1,327,382 25,000 $1,302,382 $51.31Sarasota School BoardSchool District Fund 6.3160 1,327,382 25,000 $1,302,382 $8,225.85School Capital Impr 1.5000 1,327,382 25,000 $1,302,382 $1,953.57Emergency Medical Services 0.6600 1,327,382 25,000 $1,302,382 $859.57

I Total Millage I 13.3857 1 Total Taxes I $17,433.30 IJon-Ad Valorem Assessments

Code Levying Authority .Amount

Total Assessments I $0.00

Taxes & Assessments $17,433.30

If Paid By Amount Due$0.00

http://sarasotataxcollector.governmax.com/collectmax/tab_collect_mvptaxV7.32.asp?PrintV... 5/6/2013

----- _,v......a.t.J .I. U4 ""'VU \.ILU Page 2 of2

Date Paid Transaction )Receipt Item I Amount Paid3/28/2013 PAYMENT 19117882.0003 2012 1 $17,433.30

NO DELINQUENT TAXES

Prior Year Taxes Due

http://sarasotataxcollector.governmax.com/collectmax/tab_collect_mvptaxV7.32.asp?PrintV... 5/9/2013

Taxing Authority

sarasota Co. General Revenue

Rate

3.1530Value1,310,000

Amount0

Value$1,310,000

Levied$4,130.43Bonds-Debt Service 0.1577 1,310,000 0 $1,310,000 $206.59Mosquito Control 0.0805 1,310,000 0 $1,310,000 $105.46

Sarasota Memorial Hospital 1.086'3 1,310,000 0 $1,310,000 $1,423.05SW FL Water Management Dist. 0.3929 1,310,000 0 $1,310,000 $5

14.57West Coast Inland Navigation 0.0394 1,310,000 0 $1,310,000 $51.61Sarasota School BoardSchool District Fund 6.316'0 1,310,000 0 $1,310,000 $

8,273.96School CapitaImpr 1.5000 1,310,000 0 $1,310,000 $1,965.00Emergency MedicaServices 0.6600 1,310,000 0 $1,310,000 $864.60

Code Levying Authority AmountF052 Sarasota County Fire Rescue $4,492.02W056 Stormwater Utility $1,417.04

-

- ..

Sarasota County Tax Collector

Tax Record

Last Update: 5/912013 1:37:08 PM EDT

generated on 5/912013 1:37:08 PM EDT

(Register for eBRI)

Ad Valorem Taxes and Non-Ad Valorem AssessmentsThe information contained herein does not constitute a title search and should not be relied on as such.

--.G ·--Account Number Ty_pe Tax Tax Year0-·237-13-0004 REAL ESTATE 2012

Mailing Address Property AddressBHER FAMILY LIMITED PRTSHP 1579 BARBER RD 0011523 EDGER PLSARASOTA FL 34240

Base xempt Amount Taxable Valuesee below see below

Exemption Detail Millage Code Escrow CodeNO EXEMP.TIONS 0100Legal Description1579 BARBER RD IMO-HYNAUTIC INC LOTS 47 48 49 50 69 & 70 EASTERN INDUSTRIAL PARK SEC 2

-· - ·

Ad Valorem Taxes ·- .

Assessed Exemption Taxable Taxes

I Total Millage I 13.3857 1 Total T-;;;s I $17:5'35.27"-

Non-Ad Valoren1 Assessments -

Total Assessments J $s,9o9.o6 1- Taxes & Assessments $23,444.33

If Paid By Amount Due$0.00

http://sarasotataxcollector.govermnax.com/collectmax/tab_collect_mvptaxV7.32.asp?PrintV... 5/9/2013

Date Paid jTransaction Receipt I Item Amount Paid3/28/2013 IPAYMENT 9117882.0001 1 2012 $23,444.33

NO DELINQUENT TAXES

Prior Year Taxes Due

.. . ,...

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Projected Sales Growth$40,000,000

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$-2014 2015 2016 2017

EXHIBIT B

Project Description

The Hardee County Industrial Development Authority will be deploying funds from the Hardee County Economic Development Authority including additional internal funding for the construction of an 80,000 to 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility. The initial user/occupant of this facility is Florikan, a technology based coatings application provider for time released fertilizer. The entire project is anticipated to cost approximately $6 million and is anticipated to employ 25-40 new jobs in Hardee County. The project will be located and constructed in the Hardee County Commerce Park and is expected to be operational third quarter 2015.

EXHIBIT C

Criteria for Measurement of Achievement of Terms Agreed to Under theInfrastructure Program

Financial Reporting Procedures for Quarterly Reports and Reimbursement

The financial reporting procedure establishes guidelines for grant funds

disbursed through the EDA. The procedures set forth principles for determining eligible

costs, supporting documentation and minimum reporting requirements to assist both

parties in receiving appropriate and timely reimbursement.

Grant funds shall be reimbursed in accordance with good cash management

principles as identified by law. The reimbursement shall include only expenditures

related to the project elements and the period as identified in the agreement. The

Business shall submit the attached quarterly progress report and reimbursement

request forms to request reimbursement on an annual quarterly basis. The forms must

contain all the information as requested. Each cost should clearly reflect the project

element and a brief description of work performed. The office shall retain up to 10% of

its obligations to ensure compliance with agreement terms and conditions. Retained

funds shall be released upon satisfactory completion of the project.

Documents that support the reimbursement shall be retained as described in

Section 7.0 of the Agreement.

2

Reimbursement Request Package

Recipient Details1. Grant/Recipient

2. Project Number Date of Request

3. Disbursement Request Number

4. Type of Request: Partial Final

5. Federal Employer Identification Number

6. Send Remittance to:

Reimbursement Details(Cumulative amounts)

1. Architecturaland Engineering (attach invoices) _$::!:.------------2. Permitting (attach invoices) _$::!:.------------3. Construction and/or Demolition (attach invoices) _$::!:.------------5. Other (list- must be specified in agreement) -...:!:..$

6. Total Cumulative to Date-$...:!:..-------------

7. Less Retainage (10%) (not required for government entities) ......=..$

8. Less Previous Disbursements .$.....=..--------------9. Amount requested for disbursement (line 6 minus line 7 & 8) _$

Requests for Invoices already Paid:1) Copy of Invoice2) Proof of Payment

**SUBMIT ONE ORIGINAL COPY OF THIS FORM AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION TO:**

Hardee County Economic Development AuthorityC/O County Manager's Office412 W.Orange St.,Room 103

Wauchula,Fl33873863-773-9430 Phone; 863-773-0958 Fax

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Business Agreement AdministratorCertification of Reimbursement Request

I,

(name of Grante e ' s Business Agreement Administrator designated in the Agreement)

on behalf of , do hereby certify that:

(name of Grantee/Recipient)

1. The disbursement amount requested on page 1 of this form is for allowable costs for the projectdescribed in the Agreement.

2. Materials, labor, equipment, and/or services representing costs included in the amount requested have been satisfactorily purchased, performed or received, and applied toward completing the project; such costs are documented by invoices or other appropr ate documentation, which are filed in the Grantee's permanent records.

3. The Grantee is required to pay such costs under the terms and provisions of contracts relating directly to the project, and the Grantee is not in default of any terms or provisions of the contracts.

4. All funds received to date have been applied toward completing the project.

5. All permits and approvals required for the construction, which is underway,have been obtained.

(Signature of Business Agreement Administrator)

(Date)

4

h

h

PROJECT STATUS REPORT

ProjectNAME:

ProjectN.umber:

PROJECT ELEMENTS WORK ACCOMPLISHED %COMPLETED

PRO B L E M S ENCOUNTERE D / CO M M ENTS

Period Covered(Check Appropriate Period)

--- January through

MarchApril through June

Due April 15thDue July 151

July through September October through December

Due October 15thDue January 151

Business Agreement Administrator: --------=- -------=------Signature Date