Agricultural Commission Considers $1.62 Million in Project Grants

The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission is scheduled to meet at the Jamestown Stutsman Development Corporation in Jamestown on Wednesday November 19 and Thursday November 20. The two day meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and resumes at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Commissioners will conduct a business session to review minutes, financials, grant guidelines and applications, eligibility questions, and other business matters before hearing presentations and making funding decisions.

Commissioners face a slate of proposals totaling roughly $1,624,470 in requested support. Wednesday afternoon presentations include Rope and Oak Nature Park of Hickson requesting $60,000 for a nature based agri tourism project, Kathrein Beef Company of New England seeking $25,000 for marketing and utilization, and ND Malting and Hops of Williston asking for $76,800 for marketing efforts. Technology focused proposals scheduled Wednesday include Independent Data Management MyAgData of Fargo requesting $250,000 for prototype and technology development, Upside Robotics of Casselton seeking $200,000 for technology development, and AquaHydro LLC of Dickinson applying for $102,670 to support prototype work.

Thursday’s session will feature more marketing and prototyping requests, including Agristo North Dakota LLC of Grand Forks asking for $250,000 for marketing activities, AMAR FRESH CHAKKI ATTA CORP. of southwest North Dakota requesting $250,000 also for marketing, and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture in Bismarck seeking $85,000 for marketing purposes. Technology proposals on Thursday include Triple 8 Assets LLC of Williston requesting $250,000 for technology prototyping and Prospect Growth Inc. of Fargo seeking $75,000.

For Jamestown and Stutsman County residents the agenda matters for several reasons. The Rope and Oak Nature Park proposal would support local agri tourism development that could draw visitors to the region and create seasonal revenue opportunities for nearby businesses. Marketing grants for malting, milling and other commodity related projects can amplify demand for state grown crops and strengthen market linkages for area producers. The technology requests, if funded, aim to deliver prototypes and platforms that could change farm data management, automation and processing efficiency, with potential implications for local input suppliers, service providers and labor markets.

From a policy perspective the commission must weigh these requests against available program funds and eligibility criteria noted in the business session. Decisions will reflect strategic choices about whether to prioritize marketing to expand commodity markets, invest in prototype technology to spur innovation, or support community scale agri tourism that benefits rural counties. After presentations each day there will be time for discussion followed by funding decisions before the meeting adjourns.