Monty's Growing Reputation Garners Recognition

The founders of Monty's Plant Food Company receiving the 2005 Agribusiness of the Year award. From left to right: Dennis Stephens, Kevin Voss, Monty Justice, and John Petrey

Company's Growing Reputation Garners Recognition

Monty's Plant Food Company has been selected winner of the 2005 Agribusiness of the Year award.

Louisville (Nov. 15, 2005) – Monty's Plant Food Co., a Louisville-based firm that produces foliar-applied fertilizer and soil conditioning products, has been selected winner of the 2005 Agribusiness of the Year award.

The award was presented to company co-founder Montrose "Monty" Justice during the annual Farm-City Celebration Luncheon at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center. Greater Louisville Inc., recognizes the agribusiness in the 13-county Louisville metropolitan area which is judged the best in categories such as financial growth, progressive management, employee relations and overall contribution to the farm economy.

This year's winning company got its start in the garage of its originator in the eighties. Since forming as a manufacturing company, the past eight years has seen the scope of its business change dramatically. At the start, the liquid plant food product was marketed in small plastic bottles as Monty's Joy Juice, and aimed primarily at gardeners flower enthusiasts in the Louisville area. These days, according to the firm's chairman and CEO Kevin Voss, Monty's is pursuing agricultural producers across the country and overseas. "We think the timing is great for a fertility product like ours;" Voss said, "farmers are facing historically high prices for conventional fertilizer due to the rising cost of natural gas. Unlike granular fertilizers, Monty’s is largely shielded from those price spikes."

Voss says the secret to Monty's effectiveness lies in the compounds' proven ability to strengthen the soil and boost plants' foliar structure and overall plant development. The products also boast a proprietary technology, which improves the soil profile enabling plants to better utilize what nature already provides, he noted.

Monty's President Dennis Stephens says commercial farmers are turning to the firm's products in growing numbers, convinced by the results of side-by-side field trials on a variety of crops. It's a particularly attractive option to producers who are focused on sustainable practices. The Monty's Fertility Program begins with a soil test to establish a baseline. The product is designed to be used in conjunction with a farmer’s own agronomic practices and traditional fertility decisions. The application of Monty’s products begins with a seed starter and soil conditioner, followed later in the growing season with a foliar-applied liquid fertilizer, often sprayed with herbicides and insecticides. "All we ask of farmers is that they keep an open mind and try Monty's on a portion of their crops so they can see first-hand the benefits of using our program," Stephens said.

Other highlights of Monty's newfound commercial success include:

A global sales network through a joint venture Monty's International which includes Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia
Alliances with researchers and other agribusinesses to develop new products and new marketing outlets, both in the agricultural and the horticultural areas
Support of local FFA chapters through earmarked funds based on acreage of county crops utilizing Monty's products
Donations of Monty's products to international relief organizations for distribution to farmers in developing countries

Monty's is the 13th Louisville-area firm to win designation as Agribusiness of the Year. The award program is administered by GLI's Agribusiness Industry Network.