BISMARCK – The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission awarded $358,755 to seven projects at its quarterly meeting July 21-22 in Medora, according to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

APUC administers grant programs for research and development of new and expanded uses for North Dakota agricultural products. The grants can be used for basic and applied research, marketing and utilization, farm diversification, nature-based agritourism, prototype and technology and technical assistance.

The following requests received approval:

– Food First, Walhalla, received was awarded $34,000 to build brand awareness for their prebiotic fiber product line.

-Blue Flint Ethanol, Underwood, received $155,000 to research and conduct a feasibility study on the utilization of biomass as a fuel and power source for the plant.

– Healthy Oilseeds, Carrington, received $62,890 to conduct a nutritional assessment of hemp by-products for inclusion in animal feed.

– McLean/Sheridan Rural Water District, Turtle Lake, received $54,240 to conduct an economic analysis of the most feasible means to replace the current water supply and wastewater treatment facilities for Blue Flint Ethanol.

– Identity Ag Processing, Casselton, received $17,850 for site design services for eventual infrastructure improvements to improve plant efficiency and capacity.

– North Dakota Farmers Union, Jamestown, received $27,500 for a feasibility study on the development of a North Dakota rendering facility with the capabilities of receiving rendering from other customers.

– South 40 Farms received $7,275 for engineering and plant design for a beef processing facility in Mott.