North Dakota’s Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund has announced awards for six projects totaling $861,581. The projects were approved at the Agriculture Diversification and Development quarterly meeting Feb. 28 in Bismarck.
The fund was created to support new or expanding value-added agriculture businesses that demonstrate financial feasibility, enhance profitability for farmers and ranchers, create jobs and grow North Dakota’s economy, according to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, which administers the fund.
These projects were awarded funding:
Associated Potato Growers Inc., Grand Forks: $250,000 for a packaging machine and a robotic palletizer to increase productivity.
NoKota Packers Inc., Buxton: $250,000 for an optical sorting machine for potatoes and a robotic palletizer to improve efficiency.
Square Butte Farm, Center: $110,000 to assist with installation of hoop buildings for cattle finishing.
Rhino Meat Processing LLC, Esmond: $100,000 for meat processing equipment which will expand and increase the volume of production and increase meat quality and food safety.
Two Track Malting LLC, Lincoln: $100,000 for equipment to expand operations to meet demand for craft malt for breweries and distilleries.
Three Farm Daughters LLC, of Grand Forks: $51,581 to assist with the purchase of co-packing machines for bulk pasta.
The Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund will hold its next grant application hearing May 29-30 in Fargo.
Applications for the May meeting must be received by April 1.