North Dakota APUC meeting to discuss funding proposals

By Scout Nelson

The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) is set to hold a significant meeting on Thursday, May 30, starting at 8:45 a.m., at the NDSU Alumni Center's Klefstad Conference Room in Fargo, ND. This session is crucial for the review and potential approval of funding for several agricultural projects across the state.

The day will commence with a formal call to order, followed by a business meeting where minutes from the previous meeting, financial reports, and eligibility questions for new projects will be discussed. This session ensures that all projects align with the commission's funding criteria and that financial stewardship is maintained.

The agenda includes presentations from several project leaders seeking APUC funding:

• At 9:20 a.m., William Cromarty from Kirkwall Defense, Inc., Fargo, will discuss their project on prototypes and technology, requesting $162,340 for a total project cost of $324,680.
• At 9:40 a.m., Yun Ji from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks will present basic and applied research, with a funding request of $57,369 out of a $78,879 project total.
• CoJack Snack and Pack LLC, represented by Brian Engstrom and Kris Volden from Devils Lake, will outline their marketing and utilization strategies at 10:00 a.m., seeking $117,375 for a $156,500 project.
• Megan Langley from Strong Communities, LLC in Minot, follows at 10:40 a.m., asking for $50,000 for a $62,500 marketing and utilization project.
• Lucas Routh of RGC LLC in Albert Lea, MN, presents at 11:00 a.m., with a prototype and technology project needing $250,000 out of $312,500.
• Todd and Rhonda Wickman from AgPlan Solutions in Towner, will detail their $18,750 project, requesting $15,000, at 11:20 a.m.

The meeting will include a working lunch at 11:40 a.m., after which funding decisions will be announced at noon. This meeting is a crucial event for advancing agricultural innovation and market development within North Dakota, reflecting the state’s commitment to enhancing its agricultural sector through strategic funding.

Photo Credit -north-dakota-state-seal