AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS UTILIZATION
COMMISSION
APUC’S MISSION

The mission of the Agricultural Products
Utilization Commission is to create new
wealth and jobs through the development
of new and expanded uses of North
Dakota agricultural products.
Commission members

Dan Kalil – Williston - Chairman

Myron Thompson –Minot - Vice Chairman

Bill Kingsbury – Grafton
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Rachel Retterath– Washburn

Keith Peltier – West Fargo

Bill Ongstad - Harvey

Dean Bresciani– NDSU

Paul Lucy– ED & F

Doug Goehring – Ag Department
Grant Types

Marketing and Utilization

Cooperative Marketing

International Marketing

Basic and Applied Research

Farm Diversification

Agricultural Prototype / Technology

Technical Assistance

Nature Based Agri-Tourism
Project Criteria

Probability of jobs and wealth creation

Scientific and technical merit of research

Probability of rapid commercialization

Shared commitment for funding

Commissions judgment for the potential success of a
proposal

Geographical considerations
Scoring Criteria

Probability and extent of new wealth creation (max 30
points)

Credibility and merit (scientific and technical merit)
(max 30 points)

Timeliness (rapid commercialization) (max 15 points)

Matching funds (shared commitments) (max 10 points)

Geographic consideration (non-urban locales) (max 5
points)

Merit (individual commissioner’s over all opinion of the
project) (max 10 points)

Total of 100 points max

Highest and lowest score thrown out and an Olympic
average is taken
Marketing and Utilization

Developing or implementing a sound marketing plan,
including feasibility studies, business plan
development and test marketing

Applicants are encouraged to use funds to seek new
markets and or new marketing ideas to promote their
products

Grants dollars are limited to ND companies adding
value to a ND agricultural product

Job creation is very important
Marketing and Utilization

Matching dollars are a must!

Generally grants are for a 12 month period

If funds are used for marketing applicant must show
proof of market research

Grants over a $50,000 are evaluated very closely
Basic and Applied Research

Research that leads to a marketable product and focuses on the
uses and processes of ND agricultural products and by products

Must be aimed at business expansion with regard to agricultural
products utilization

Research must result in a marketable product

Research CANNOT be duplicated by other research projects
Farm Diversification

To qualify you must be a current producer (25 head of cattle of
more, and/or 100 acres or more and 51% of your total income
must come from on farm operation)

Farmers and ranchers diversifying their existing operations to
include non-traditional crops and livestock

Max $25,000
Agricultural Prototype

Development of food processing and agricultural equipment prototypes
with the potential to be developed and commercialized in ND

Must be food processing equipment or agricultural equipment

Product design, manufacturing prototype, testing, patenting, market
assessment

Match dollar for dollar by applicant
Agriculture Technology

APUC wishes to encourage development of new technologies for
agricultural or food processing advancement

Proven technologies in new applications are eligible if the technology is
moving to commercialization

Advances in biotechnology for improved foods, feeds, fuels and fiber

APUC does not consider varieties, fertilizers, seed systems, storage, etc.

Grants are generally $25,000.00
Technical Assistance

To help value added business assess their needs

Develop plans for improvement

Implement those improvements

Measure the benefits of those improvements

Business must provide matching dollars

Grants are for 12 months
Grants are limited to North Dakota
Prototype / Technology and Technical Assistance Grant
Applications due:



December 1, March 1, June 1, September 1
Nature Based Agri-Tourism

Bring people to rural ND to engage in recreational, sport,
educational or labor assisted sales (self harvesting)

Facilities must provide restroom facilities, fresh water, and
appropriate accommodations

Activities must be fee based and provide primary or
secondary economic activity
Application Process

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




APUC meets quarterly
Applicants required to work with advisor/fiscal
agent
Applicant must submit by deadline
Executive Director reviews and meets with
applicant
If applicant meets eligibility, commission, notifies
and allots time for presentation
The first 15 applications received are considered
Funded grant divided in half
Reports required
Helpful Hints







USE APPLICATION PROVIDED AND FOLLOW THE
FORMAT
Contact at least one commission member and make
him/her familiar with your project
Try not to make presentation to long (no more 15
minutes)
Questions decide the funding
Don’t complicate with to much information
Private companies are the key
Matching funds are very important, show commitment
from outside sources
Helpful Hints

Funds are very competitive, lower $ dollar amounts
easier to get funding
Get applications in early, only first 15 considered
No one can have more then one open grant

Open records, value of research to other projects

Would the producers of ND want APUC to fund the
project

THEME: VALUE ADDED AGRICULTURE


APUC INFORMATION
Executive Director – John F Schneider –(701)-328-5350
email: jfschneider@nd.gov
Program Assistant – Kerri Kraft– (701)-328-5318
www.ndapuc.com