AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS UTILIZATION COMMISSION

1. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS UTILIZATION COMMISSION

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Grant Types • Marketing and Utilization • Cooperative Marketing • International Marketing • Basic and Applied Research • Farm Diversification • Agricultural Prototype / Technology • Technical Assistance • Nature Based Agri-Tourism

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. APUC INFORMATION Executive Director – John F Schneider –(701)-328-5350 email: jfschneider@nd.gov Program Assistant – Kerri Kraft– (701)-328-5318 www.ndapuc.com