A recent surge in fertilizer and fuel prices has left American farmers in a precarious financial situation, with nearly 60% reporting that their finances are worsening. A survey revealed that 70% of farmers cannot afford all the fertilizer they need, prompting worries about the impact on agricultural output and grocery prices. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the Iran conflict, which has significantly driven up costs. Many farmers across the Northeast and Midwest are contemplating skipping fertilizer applications entirely this spring as they struggle to manage these escalating expenses. Industry experts and organizations, including the USDA and the American Farm Bureau Federation, are calling for farmer input and discussing potential solutions to navigate this fertilizer crisis, while some farmers are turning to composting as an alternative. This alarming trend raises concerns not just for farmers, but also for food supply and prices nationwide.