What We Do
Featured Event
This free event will show the environmental and biobased benefits of applying a soy-based asphalt shingle rejuvenate product to extend the life of roof shingles.
As part of its Protein Catalyst initiative, the MBOLD Coalition commissioned this assessment to evaluate opportunities to incorporate winter camelina into animal feed rations and contribute to the sustainability of…
This phase 2 project identified more sustainable packaging options for consumers to prevent ground beef food waste and analyzed how these findings can assist in effectively communicating future sustainability goals…
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), commissioned a research report to develop a better understanding of the shared commercial kitchen business model…
The United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and the University of Minnesota (UMN) conducted a research project to test whether carbon (C) additions to a combination of woodchips…
The United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) conducted a research project to investigate the performance of agriculturally derived residue materials in bioreactors. This included a comparison of the…
The University of Minnesota (UMN) and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) partnered on a research report on Minnesota’s Cultivated Wild Rice.
A new report that assesses the current state of “ready to scale” food and beverage businesses.
Globally, aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food industries. The key drivers are technological developments, increased production, and growing understanding of the health benefits of fish consumption. Learn more about aquaculture in Minnesota and where this exciting industry is headed.
Food fish comprise a diverse category in Minnesota from its legendary walleye to trout. Besides wild caught fishing, which goes back
many generations, commercially viable fish farm opportunities have been expanding as an interest area in recent years, creating
employment, economic impact and growth for related sectors in the form of fish feed, fish health and byproducts.
This report illustrates the impact of the novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID) on supply chains for Minnesota food and agriculture manufacturers and processors. A collaboration providing services to Minnesota food and agricultural economic sectors wanted to better understand the supply chain effects of COVID, the resulting pain points and what may be needed to help identify potential new services, resources and supportive actions that would improve supply chain resiliency for Minnesota businesses.
Mary Hartman didn’t intend to be a pioneer in the horse feed industry; it just worked out that way, and it all began out of love for a horse. ‘I…
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute is conducting a multifaceted study of the environmental and economic benefits of capturing and repurposing nutrients from agriculturally derived products. The study, in collaboration with…
Farmer-owned cooperatives have long been a foundational mechanism for Minnesota growers to work together for collective benefit. The first Minnesota farmer cooperatives date back to the 1890s. For 15 years,…
Years ago, Paul Benson sat down with his two sons for a conversation that would ultimately reshape not only his family’s future but the future of his hometown. A lifelong…
This issue of Ag Innovation News highlights AURI’s first-term Board Director, Rep. Paul Anderson. Rep. Anderson is a fourth-generation family farmer from Starbuck, Minnesota, and a graduate of the University…
AURI clients are a highly diverse mix of entities, ranging from farmers to entrepreneurial startups to legacy businesses expanding their offerings. Yet many share a common trait that drives them…
To introduce more Minnesota farmers to the benefits of on-site anaerobic digesters, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) published a new report, The Biogas Opportunity for Minnesota Farmers: A Business…
In June 2025, Charlie Lucas joined the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) as a senior food scientist. He co-leads AURI’s food innovation efforts across Minnesota’s value-added agricultural ecosystem. He supports…
A Minnesota company is finding market success using recaptured dairy ingredients for animal and human nutrition. After operating as Milk Specialties Global, the company, based in Eden Prairie, rebranded in…
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) recently began working on a project to help protein businesses expand or relocate to Minnesota. Earlier this summer MBOLD and AURI launched the Protein…
Leading the way in renewable energy is nothing new for Minnesota, which for decades has been a pioneer in biofuels like ethanol, biodiesel, and, most recently, sustainable aviation fuel. The…
Ella VanKempen’s test plots at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris, Minnesota, look a little different than most of the agricultural research locations around the state.…
By Dan Lemke Mary Hartman didn’t plan to start a business, nor did she intend to build an industry, but she’s doing both in a span of just seven years.…
Geographically, David Eiynck hasn’t moved far in his life. He lives and farms less than a mile from where he grew up in Mahnomen County. However, through innovation and entrepreneurship,…
People aren’t likely born with an innovation gene, but if there was such a thing, the Asmus family of rural Winthrop, Minn. would likely have it in their DNA. The…
The explosion in e-commerce means Americans receive more home deliveries than ever and that trend shows no signs of slowing. According to Statista, over 20 billion packages were delivered in…
Milk Specialties Global is an Eden Prairie-based dairy processing company that develops high-quality nutritional ingredients for livestock producers, as well as milk and whey protein ingredients for human nutrition and functional foods.
The path to commercial success is rarely linear. Instead, it’s often chock full of twists, turns and unexpected challenges, something to which Tom and Jenni Smude can likely attest. The…
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), named The Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) of Benson, Minn., its 2017 Ag Innovator of the Year. The award, which has been given annually…
Each year for more than a decade, the AURI Board of Directors bestows the Ag Innovator of the Year Award, its highest honor, on the client company or entrepreneur it feels created a major impact in the areas of product innovation, uniqueness and commercialization potential. This year AURI was pleased to name Kay’s Naturals as the Ag Innovator of the Year.
The EarthClean Corporation is being honored in 2014 for their work in creating an environmentally friendly fire suppressant using corn and soybeans. The company creates TetraKO, a biodegradable water enhancer…
Soybean meal, while an excellent animal feed, still can’t be fed to a whole range of animals as soluble sugars in soybean meal are very disruptive to the digestive tract…
Bio-Plastic Solutions, a Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, company, was named Ag Innovator of the Year by the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI). The Ag Innovator Award is a recognition AURI began…
In this episode, discover how a Minnesota-based collaboration between industry leaders Target and AURI ignited a new pathway for food entrepreneurs to scale nationally. Lauren Pradhan, CEO of Tesser Advisory,…
In this episode, Alexandra Ostlund of AURI and Brad Schloesser of Minnesota’s Agricultural and Rural Leadership program (MARL) unpack the 25-year-old program that’s shaping the future of agriculture leadership. Most leaders are…
In this episode, Jamie Dickerman interviews Gail Dennison from the Hormel Institute to explore how research at the intersection of food, agriculture, and health can shape the future of nutrition…
AURI teamed up with Minnesota-based national retailer, Target, to host a key industry event: AURI X Target UnTapped — Finding Your Shelf: Igniting Food & Beverage Momentum. The event showcased…
AURI teamed up with Minnesota-based national retailer, Target, on 5/11 to host a key industry event: AURI X Target UnTapped — Finding Your Shelf: Igniting Food & Beverage Momentum. The event…
In this episode, Alex Frescoln, an Avisen attorney with a background in ag and food markets, discusses the evolving landscape of value-added agriculture, startup challenges, and the future of bioenergy…
Unlock the future of sustainable food with a deep dive into Minnesota’s pioneering plant protein innovation. Discover how the University of Minnesota’s Plant Protein Innovation Center (PPIC) is transforming local…
The future of agriculture in the Midwest hinges on more than just farming — it’s about resilience, innovation, and smart policy. Holly Callaghan from GreenSeam reveals how a groundbreaking industry…
Discover how Plasma Blue, a Minnesota-based energy technology company founded on university research, is pioneering plasma-based solutions to produce biofuels, break down harmful chemicals, and address environmental challenges. Host Jamie…
In this episode of the Ag Innovation News podcast, host Jamie Dickerman speaks with Devin Hoffarth from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association about the current priorities and developments in the…
Unlock the transformative power of the Future Farmers of America — the organization shaping tomorrow’s leaders (not just farmers!) in agriculture today. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community supporter,…
In this episode of the Ag Innovation News Podcast, host Jamie Dickerman speaks with Mary Oudekerk, a senior business development officer at the 504 Corporation. They discuss the role of…
Free event will highlight the potential of this groundbreaking new crop and its multiple uses The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) together with the University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative…
Free event May 14 will unveil industry-first resource and grant opportunities The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) will unveil an exciting industry-first resource during its upcoming event, AURI Connects: Webinar…
Nonprofit boosts state economy by assisting companies to create jobs, develop products, invest in agriculture The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is instrumental in accelerating Minnesota’s agriculture economy, helping businesses…
New reports give insight that could propel opportunities in the ag and food industries in Minnesota The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute’s (AURI) Agricultural Innovation Center, which is funded by the…
Findings show increased interest in A2 milk supply at the farm and demand at retail The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute’s (AURI) Agricultural Innovation Center, which is funded by the United…
Free event March 12 is the first in AURI Connects: Webinar Wednesday “Future of” Series The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) will host a free webinar from noon to 1…
Free new tools and services include AURI’s Virtual Assistant, food business toolbox, and expert office hours The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is launching a new food business landing page…
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) will host its first AURI Connects: Fields of Innovation event of 2025, sponsored by Bremer Bank and Minnesota Farmers Union. The webinar, “Risky Business:…
AURI’s research, technical assistance, and resource networks help entrepreneurs and businesses generate ideas for new products and processes.
We are in business today for one reason—all of the help we’ve received. Without AURI, I don’t know where we would be today. We just had an idea; AURI made it possible.
AURI has contributed to the success of our branded line, Kay’s Naturals, in achieving nationwide distribution of our products through its marketing grants and by analyzing product for nutritional data, as well as opportunities to demonstrate our products to the public. Most importantly, we have been treated with respect as a contributing member of the Minnesota ag business community and received tremendous encouragement from AURI.
AURI’s services cannot have a dollar value placed on them…When I tell people I worked with AURI for product development, they have a stronger sense of security in working with me. I am not sure I could have continued without them. This is the kind of government program that should be expanded because this is the kind of program that does nothing but good.
What I found out from AURI in a week would have taken me a year on my own.
AURI helped us get through the economic downturn; we didn’t have to stop our development because of AURI.
At the time of our first meeting with AURI, we had nothing but an idea and some brief conversations with pelleting industry people…AURI helped us through the discovery phase of technology testing, formulation optimization and commercialization testing. We would not be at the stage of development we are without AURI.
AURI researchers think outside the box very well, and their exposure to a wide variety of agricultural-related industries gives them both a depth and breadth of knowledge that is valuable to utilize.
AURI has been a vital resource in the development of our product. AURI has helped us with nutritional labeling, shelf stability and also developing a market or researching other uses for our byproducts. AURI believes in you, not just your product, and they are always willing to share your story with others they think will also be a source of product advancement.
AURI’s involvement from start to finish was invaluable. This is a project I know we could never have undertaken on our own.
Growan Energy is very grateful for the partnership with AURI. The partnership has allowed us to move our innovative biodiesel technology toward commercialization faster than we could have done on our own…..It has been a very valuable partnership, and we hope the relationship will continue.
AURI has given us the ability to pursue projects and technologies outside of our core business. They are our go-to group that helps us develop byproduct streams into additional value-added products. Their experience and network in Minnesota has enabled us to reach further outside our locale to new markets, ideas and customers.
We saved a handful of jobs. We weren’t going to be able to keep on the way we were…we needed a certain volume of business to keep the doors open. A big thank you to AURI for helping us accomplish that.
As a small food entrepreneur in Minnesota, all I can say is that AURI is your best partner. They help you by providing technical and non-technical guidance. AURI’s staff is amazing and they go out of their way to help their clients succeed.
The process of taking a “good idea,” to developing a great product, to selling at retail is a very time-consuming process. AURI’s staff and resources assisted with most stages of development including: R&D, market development and technical analysis required for our new facility.
We learned, with the assistance of AURI, the best-case scenario for developing our new business in terms of the optimum manufacturing process, setup and implementation.
AURI research is an invaluable tool for startups like mine.
