North Dakota Ag Commissioner Announces APUC Funding Awards

Five projects receive over $398,000 in grants for agricultural research and development

Mar. 10, 2026 at 7:42pm

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North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has announced the latest round of funding awards from the state's Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC). A total of $398,821.25 was approved for five projects at the APUC's quarterly meeting in February, supporting initiatives ranging from ice cream branding to renewable energy production from manure.

Why it matters

APUC grants play a crucial role in fostering innovation and diversification within North Dakota's agricultural sector, helping to develop new products, technologies, and business models that can strengthen rural communities and support the state's farming operations.

The details

The five projects receiving APUC funding include: $99,800 for FOMO 10/40 Creamery to hire a marketing firm for their ice cream brand; $42,581.25 for Kate's Poperella LLC to establish a commercial kitchen for baked goods; $37,690 for NDSU to develop biodegradable beads and films from crop byproducts; $35,000 for NDSU to create hard red spring wheat-based frozen dough products; and $183,750 for PermanentFarming Inc. dba Pergena to study converting manure into renewable energy and other products.

  • The APUC quarterly meeting where the funding was approved took place on February 26, 2026.
  • The next APUC funding application deadline is April 1, 2026.

The players

Doug Goehring

The North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner who announced the APUC funding awards.

APUC

The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission, a program of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture that administers grant funding for research and development of new agricultural products and uses.

FOMO 10/40 Creamery

A recipient of $99,800 in APUC funding to hire a marketing firm for their ice cream brand.

Kate's Poperella LLC

A recipient of $42,581.25 in APUC funding to establish a commercial kitchen for baked goods.

NDSU

North Dakota State University, which received two APUC grants totaling $72,690 for developing biodegradable products from crop byproducts and creating frozen dough products from hard red spring wheat.

PermanentFarming Inc. dba Pergena

A recipient of $183,750 in APUC funding to study converting manure into renewable energy and other products.

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What’s next

The next APUC funding application deadline is April 1, 2026, for projects to be considered at the commission's next quarterly meeting.

The takeaway

By supporting a diverse array of agricultural research and development initiatives, the APUC program is helping to drive innovation, create new economic opportunities, and strengthen the resilience of North Dakota's rural communities and farming industry.