Bismarck, N.D. -- The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) will review funding requests for seven projects totaling $418,491 at its quarterly meeting March 21 in Bismarck.

APUC is a program of the North Dakota Department of Commerce that administers grant programs for research and development of new and expanded uses for North Dakota agricultural products. APUC promotes economic diversification through awarding grants that can be used for basic and applied research, marketing and utilization, farm diversification, nature-based agritourism, prototype and technology and technical assistance. In this round of applications, health products, intellectual property commercialization, the energy industry and manufacturing could benefit from the varied nature of APUC’s support to economic diversification and growth.   

The following requests will be reviewed:

Harvestable LLC (Fargo) is requesting $52,500 to update its web platform, make marketing enhancements and fund advertising campaigns. Contact Travis Rosenbluth at (262) 388-6384.

Houweling's Tomatoes (Underwood) is requesting $132,000 to conduct marketing and feasibility research. The funds will allow Houweling's Dakota to deploy a sales and marketing team to research local markets, demands and potential customers. Contact Casey Houweling at (604) 613-0072.

Krampade LLC (Grand Forks) is requesting $99,282 to purchase raw materials and marketing efforts. The multifaceted marketing campaign will include print, television, Facebook and face-to-face marketing efforts. Contact Eric Murphy at (513) 237-7711.

NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center (Carrington) is requesting $48,332 to fund lab analyses fees, a weigh system, repairs for refurbishing and repairing equipment, research supplies and travel to and from the trial area. Contact Mike Ostlie at (701) 652-2951. 

NDSU Department of Plant Sciences (Fargo) is requesting $44,902 to research new health-targeted functional ingredients from North Dakota chickpeas and other legumes and provide a clear path for potential commercialization efforts for such high-value agricultural products. Contact Kalidas Shetty at (701) 231-8161.

WCCO Belting Inc. (Wahpeton) is requesting $41,475 to research a new type of rubber product used primarily on equipment that harvests potatoes, sugar beets, onions and other root vegetables. If the prototype is successful, it will be promoted to both domestic and international equipment manufacturers. Contact Jean Voorhees at (701) 642-8787.

APUC is an office within Economic Development and Finance, a division of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. For additional program information please visit North Dakota APUC at www.NDAPUC.com.