A new venture is sprouting in the heart of the Grand Prairie. Cold Steppe, a new agricultural company, is building a production plant in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and is ready to join the area’s rich farming community.

Founded by two retired U.S. Navy submariners, Kevin Crowe and Matt Freniere, Cold Steppe is certified as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business. Crowe recently addressed the Stuttgart Rotary Club to introduce their innovative product: Nourishing Burn.

This soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More is a form of biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More created by burning rice hulls, a readily available local resource. Crowe described it as creating a “coral reef for the soil.” When mixed into the ground, it significantly improves soil health by enhancing water retention, increasing nutrient availability, and promoting soil decompaction. Ultimately, this leads to better crop yields and long-term benefits for farmers.

With concrete already poured, the new facility is expected to be erected in November, with operations scheduled to start early next year. They plan to begin by processing 20,000 tons of rice hulls. Crowe shared his enthusiasm for the move to Stuttgart, praising the strong support from the local community, banks, and contractors, and spoke optimistically about the economic impact Cold Steppe will bring to the area.