The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), is on a roll lately. In addition to some great coverage in the May/June Edition of Minnesota Business magazine, the organization is just off its extremely successful “New Uses Ag Forum,” that drew more than 175 agricultural professionals from around the state to hear dernier cri thinking about innovations that are adding value to Minnesota agriculture. At its four locations, AURI lowers the barriers to new product development by providing scientific expertise, lab facilities and assistance with product formulations – all at prices far lower than fledgling entrepreneurs would pay elsewhere. And those entrepreneurs are on board: In 2017, AURI initiated 137 new projects and continued work on 90 others. Since 2011, products developed with AURI assistance have created more than 500 jobs, driven more than $89 million in capital investment and generated gross sales of almost $74 million.
In the hopper now is AURI’s Agricultural Innovation Partnership (AIP) program. It’s intended to support collaborative partnerships, directing research and technology transfer ideas that add value to Minnesota’s agricultural products or improve efficiencies in their processing. Deliverables from the program will include applied research, guides and tools – all in the public domain – from which others can benefit to further the utilization and value of commodities and agricultural products.
Russell Herder has been working with AURI for many years. During our time together, we have streamlined their brand look and feel, created collateral and online assets, and assisted with public and media relations.
