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
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
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
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