AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS UTILIZATION COMMISSION

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

Marketing and Utilization Cooperative Marketing International Marketing

Basic and Applied Research Farm Diversification Agricultural Prototype / Technology Technical Assistance Nature Based Agri-Tourism

Grant Types

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

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

Farm Diversification

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

Executive Director – John F Schneider –(701)-328-5350email: [email protected]

Program Assistant – Kerri Kraft– (701)-328-5318

www.ndapuc.com

APUC INFORMATION