News Releases for June 2002
June 26, 2002
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Hoeven Appoints APUC Commission Members
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today announced the appointment of three new members to the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) and reappointed a fourth member. The new members are Theresa Tokach, Mandan; Bruce McLean, Fargo; and Bill Kingsbury, Grafton. Dan Kalil, Williston, was reappointed.
APUC, which is part of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, helps to develop new and expanded uses of agricultural products through administering a grant program. Since July 2001, when the current biennium began, the APUC board has distributed almost $800,000 in grants to 45 projects.
“APUC is a powerful tool for building value-added agriculture in North Dakota, one of the five targeted industries that have great potential for growth,” Hoeven said. “It’s a fine example of a public-private partnership where farmers and others in the ag industry can bring forward a great idea and receive assistance to develop it. That translates into jobs and economic growth for our rural areas.”
Other APUC commission members are Bruce Anderson, Glenburn; James Jensen, Minot; Linda Butts, Economic Development & Finance Division; Jim Venette, North Dakota State University; and Jeff Weisenpfenning, North Dakota Department of Agriculture. Members leaving the board are Julie Mohler, Bismarck; John Bollingberg, Bremen; and Ron Hofstrand, Leeds.
The APUC commission meets quarterly to review funding proposals submitted from around the state. The grant categories are basic and applied research grants; marketing and utilization grants; farm diversification grants; and an agricultural prototype development grant program. The next meeting is August 1-2 in Williston.
For more information about APUC grant applications, contact John Schneider at North Dakota Department of Commerce at (701) 328-5300, or visit the APUC web site at www.growingnd.com/services.
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