Natural Fertilizer Services

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Natural Fertilizer Services NFS provides Nutrient Management needs, CAFO compliance services, soil sampling, as well as agronomy Abe Sandquist founded Natural Fertilizer Services, Inc.

(NFS) in 2007, on the heels of his employment with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. While developing Nutrient Management Plans as a soil conservationist, he learned that there were many agricultural waste products not being used to their maximum potential by crop and livestock producers. After explaining these nutrient management plans to producers, many of them were surprised at how much their waste products could be worth if they were used effectively and applied in a professional and scientific manor. Because of the Clean Water Act, several rules and regulations have been put in place that force farmers to manage their nutrients and chemicals in order to reduce environmental impacts. NFS assists crop and livestock producers take advantage of agricultural waste products through agronomic advice, accurate handling, and application. As a result, we improve crop performance while reducing environmental impacts as well as complying with your states environmental regulation requirements.

09/28/2026

Why should a food company pay to send its waste to a WINR Center instead of taking the cheapest route? Abe Sandquist makes the case, breaking down how composting stacks up against landfills, land application, and anaerobic digestion, and why cost shouldn't be the only thing on a waste generator's list.

He also shares something WINR is building for its partners: records that show how many acres their waste stream helped feed, which is something a landfill can never give you. Find out why that matters for your brand in the video.

Become a Nutrient Recovery Partner. Send your organic waste streams to a WINR Center.

https://winrcenter.com

09/25/2026

Abe Sandquist sits down with Becket Fusik to talk about the business behind the nutrient cycle. What it takes to turn a food processor's waste stream into fertilizer, why composting can pay for itself without government subsidies, and why the WINR Center sits in rural Woodbine, Iowa instead of on the edge of the city.

They also get into how much of America's farmland recycled nutrients could actually feed, and the lightbulb moment that took Abe from writing nutrient management plans at the USDA to building something nobody had a blueprint for.

Become a Nutrient Recovery Partner. Send your organic waste streams to a WINR Center.

https://winrcenter.com

09/23/2026

Abe Sandquist sits down with Mike Sexton, Iowa State Director of USDA Rural Development, at the WINR Center to talk about the future of nutrient recovery in America. Why the country needs to make its own fertilizer again, what it means for farmers, water quality and soil health, and the legacy Iowa farmers want to leave their land.
Abe also pitches Mike an idea for food processors sending organic waste to the landfill. His answer is in the video.
Become a Nutrient Recovery Partner. Send your organic waste streams to a WINR Center.
https://winrcenter.com

09/22/2026

WINR stands for Waste Into Nutrient Recovery, and this is what a WINR Center is and why I built one. We harvest nutrients out of the soil, run them through processing and onto a plate, and everything a food processor cannot use goes to the landfill. Then we call other countries and buy the phosphorus and potassium we just buried. We broke the cycle. This facility puts it back together.
I walk through the site near Woodbine, Iowa and explain how it works. Food-processing byproducts, cardboard and a small share of cattle manure, mixed to a recipe and finished in aeration barns in 21 days instead of 90. I get into what that means for fertilizer prices, for water quality, and for the jobs and tax base in a rural county. And I answer the question every food processor asks me: why send a waste stream here instead of to the landfill.
Then I sit down with Mike Sexton, Iowa State Director of USDA Rural Development. USDA backed this facility with a $3.9 million grant because the country got away from making its own fertilizer. I pitch him a nutrient recovery credit for generators who keep their organic waste out of the landfill. His answer is in the video.
Become a Nutrient Recovery Partner. Send your organic waste streams to a WINR Center.
https://winrcenter.com

Sometimes things fall into place, and sometimes they swing into place. Yesterday a crane swung our Tiger Depackager into...
08/27/2026

Sometimes things fall into place, and sometimes they swing into place.

Yesterday a crane swung our Tiger Depackager into its spot. One big step towards our goal of getting the WINR (Waste Into Nutrient Recovery) Center operational this fall!

Missed our Grand Opening last Friday? No worries - we've got you covered! Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Woodbine ...
08/06/2026

Missed our Grand Opening last Friday? No worries - we've got you covered!

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Woodbine WINR (Waste Into Nutrient Recovery) Center and see how we're transforming waste into valuable resources while helping complete the nutrient cycle.

Watch this short feature from Channel 3 News to learn what the excitement is all about!

What we're building in Woodbine is just the beginning.

A Harrison County composting facility just landed a $3.9M USDA grant to turn food and livestock waste into fertilizer. Could this help Iowa's water quality and landfill problems? Read more.

Thank you to everyone who braved the wind Friday night to help us celebrate our 20 Year Anniversary and our Grand Openin...
08/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who braved the wind Friday night to help us celebrate our 20 Year Anniversary and our Grand Opening of the WINR Center!!

Last week during the Farm Bureau Membership Appreciation dinner at the Harrison County Fair, Abe was presented with thei...
07/29/2026

Last week during the Farm Bureau Membership Appreciation dinner at the Harrison County Fair, Abe was presented with their "Distinguished Service to Agriculture" Award. Thank you, Harrison County Farm Bureau for this award and recognition of Abe!

๐Ÿ†๐ŸŒฑ Congratulations to Our 2026 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award Recipient โ€“๐€๐๐„ ๐’๐€๐๐ƒ๐๐”๐ˆ๐’๐“! ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿ†

The Harrison County Farm Bureau was proud to recognize Abe Sandquist as the ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐ƒ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐ž๐ ๐’๐ž๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐œ๐ž ๐ญ๐จ ๐€๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐œ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ž ๐€๐ฐ๐š๐ซ๐ recipient during our Membership Appreciation Dinner held at the Harrison County Iowa Fair on July 23. ๐Ÿ‘

Presented annually, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award honors a member whose leadership, innovation, and commitment have made a lasting impact on agriculture and our rural communities.

Abe's dedication to advancing agriculture through conservation, sustainable farming practices, and nutrient recovery truly exemplifies the values this award represents. ๐Ÿšœ๐ŸŒพ

Over the past two decades, Abe has led Natural Fertilizer Services with a vision of helping livestock producers, crop farmers, food processors, and communities recover valuable nutrients and return them to the land. His work has transformed organic byproducts into valuable agricultural resources that improve soil health, enhance nutrient cycling, and support long-term agricultural productivity.

One of Abe's most notable accomplishments is his leadership in developing the WINR (Waste Into Nutrient Recovery) Center in Woodbine. This innovative project converts livestock manure, food processing byproducts, yard waste, and other organic materials into valuable soil amendments, promoting soil health, supporting domestic fertilizer independence, and creating economic opportunities for rural communities. ๐ŸŒŽโ™ป๏ธ

Abe's career began as a soil conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and his commitment to agriculture has continued to grow. Under his leadership, Natural Fertilizer Services has expanded from a one-person operation into a thriving business employing more than 30 people and serving agricultural partners across the region.

๐Ÿ’™ The Harrison County Farm Bureau Board of Directors sincerely thanks Abe for his outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication to strengthening agriculture in Harrison County and beyond. His commitment to conservation, innovation, and the future of farming is making a lasting difference for generations to come.

Please join us in congratulating Abe Sandquist on this well-deserved recognition! ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŒฝ

07/23/2026

๐Ÿšœ NOW HIRING |Operations Specialist / CDL Driver ๐Ÿš›

Build More Than a Career. Help Build Better Agriculture.
At Natural Fertilizer and Soil Solutions, we don't just move productsโ€”we help farmers improve soil health, protect water quality, and build stronger operations for future generations.

We're looking for an individual who enjoys working outdoors, operating equipment, solving problems, and being part of a team that takes pride in doing things the right way.

If you like variety in your day, enjoy operating quality equipment, and aren't afraid to get your hands dirty, we'd like to meet you.

What You'll Do
โœ” Operate agricultural and construction equipment safely and efficiently.
โœ” Drive Class A CDL trucks to transport materials and equipment.
โœ” Load and unload materials using loaders and other heavy equipment.
โœ” Assist with manure hauling, fertilizer application, and other field operations.
โœ” Perform daily equipment inspections and basic preventative maintenance.
โœ” Complete electronic paperwork and load documentation accurately.
โœ” Represent our company professionally while working with customers and landowners.
โœ” Work closely with dispatch and teammates to complete jobs safely and efficiently.

We're Looking For Someone Who...
Holds a valid Class A CDL (or is willing to obtain one).
Has experience operating heavy equipment such as loaders, skid loaders, excavators, or agricultural machinery.
Understands that safety is never optional.
Is mechanically inclined and takes pride in maintaining equipment.
Communicates well with coworkers and customers.
Can work independently while also contributing to a strong team.
Is dependable, adaptable, and willing to help wherever needed.
You'll Fit In Here If You...
โœ… You show up on time and ready to work.
โœ… You believe communication prevents problems.
โœ… You take pride in clean, well-maintained equipment.
โœ… You enjoy working outside and every day being a little different.
โœ… You believe your reputation is built on the quality of your work.
โœ… You're looking for a long-term careerโ€”not just another paycheck.

Our Culture
At Natural Fertilizer and Soil Solutions, we believe great teams are built on trust, accountability, and communication. We work hard, support one another, and expect every employee to take ownership of their responsibilities.

Reliability, communication, and accountability are non-negotiable expectations on our team. We believe everyone deserves coworkers they can count on, and we're committed to building a workplace where integrity, professionalism, and respect come first.

What We Offer
๐Ÿ’ฐ Competitive Pay
๐Ÿ’ฐ Performance Bonus Opportunities
๐Ÿฅ Comprehensive Benefits Package
๐Ÿ“ˆ Opportunities for Advancement
๐Ÿšœ Modern, Well-Maintained Equipment
๐ŸŒฑ A Growing Company with Long-Term Stability
๐Ÿค A Team That Has Your Back

More Than an Operator
We're looking for someone who wants to make an impact.

Whether you're hauling nutrients, operating equipment in the field, or helping a customer complete an important job, your work directly supports the farmers and communities we serve.

If you're ready to join a team that values hard work, integrity, and continuous improvement, we'd love to talk with you.

Apply today and help us move agriculture forwardโ€”one field, one load, and one customer at a time.

Check out our latest YouTube video where Abe is interviewed by his son, Botos.Learn about soil fertility and nutrient re...
07/22/2026

Check out our latest YouTube video where Abe is interviewed by his son, Botos.

Learn about soil fertility and nutrient recovery when a kid asks the questions and the expert answers!

My son Bo has been out on the farm with me a lot lately, hauling co...

Address

414 Walker Street
Woodbine, IA
51579

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(712) 647-2810

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Natural Fertilizer Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Natural Fertilizer Services:

Shortcuts

Share