New Funding Supports Ag Innovation

By Scout Nelson

North Dakota continues to support new ideas and business growth in agriculture through the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission, also known as APUC. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announces that eight projects receive a total of $926,800 during the most recent quarterly meeting held in Jamestown.

These awards help build research, marketing efforts, farm innovation and new product development that strengthen rural communities and the state’s agriculture sector.

APUC is part of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. The program offers grants that support new and expanded uses for state-grown agricultural products.

These grants can be used for many purposes, including early research, product testing, marketing, farm diversification, agritourism ideas, technology improvements and prototype development. The goal is to help create new business opportunities that support farms and rural areas.

Several groups receive funding. One award supports engineering plans for part of a new potato processing plant. Another award helps improve and expand a digital acreage reporting system used by producers.

The Department of Agriculture also receives funding to help North Dakota companies promote their products at trade shows across the country and around the world.

Additional awards support marketing local malt and hops, developing a pilot lab to work with fertilizer materials, building an agritourism attraction and supporting a ranch-to-market beef business.

Another project works on improving fertilizer that helps reduce iron chlorosis, a common crop challenge.

These investments show the state’s commitment to supporting creative business ideas and strengthening agriculture. The program helps turn new concepts into real opportunities for farmers, ranchers and small businesses.

Applications for the next review meeting are due by January 1, 2026. More information about APUC and its programs is available on the North Dakota Department of Agriculture website.

For additional information, please visit https://www.ndda.nd.gov/apuc.

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