AURI’s Agriculture Innovation Center (AIC) provides technical and business development assistance to value-added agriculture producers. Funded through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service, This program is designed to aid in the development and marketing of value-added products.
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)’s Center will provide the following services:
- Business development services. The Center provides direct services and referrals related to feasibility studies and business planning.
- Market development services. The Center assists valued added producers with marketing plans, branding, customer identification and market intelligence.
- Process development services. The Center provides engineering services, scale production assessments, systems development, and other technical assistance related to development, implementation, improvement, and operations of processes and systems.
- Value chain coordination. The Center connects value-added producers to distribution systems, developers and off-takers, processing facilities, and commercial kitchens.
- Product development (excluding R&D). The Center offers ideation, concept testing, feasibility and cost analysis, demographic and consumer analysis, production analysis, evaluation of packaging and labeling options, and brand development.
AIC Eligibility
To be eligible for AURI’s Center, proposed value‐added agricultural projects must benefit Minnesota agricultural products, demonstrate a positive impact to Minnesota’s economy and have commercial viability. Continue Reading AIC Eligibility
AIC: How to Apply
AURI enables businesses utilizing Minnesota agricultural products to bring new, innovative value-added products and technologies to the marketplace. The Center helps clients achieve their commercialization goals by assessing their needs and business concepts. Continue Reading AIC: How to Apply
AIC Related Guides
AURI publishes a number of helpful guides for public disseminations. The following guides specifically relate to the work of AURI's Agriculture Innovation Center Program. Continue Reading AIC Related Guides
AIC Related Research Reports
Through practical, applied research AURI identifies emerging opportunities to add value to agriculture products. Continue Reading AIC Related Research Reports
Value-Added Marketing Video Series
AURI developed a value-added marketing series to provide information and insight on market research to assist value-added agriculture processors and producers. Value-Added Market Research Videos Market Research 101 The Importance and Value of Market Research Understanding the Distribution Channels for Processes Ag Products The Importance of Effective Consumer Research and Idea Validation
Facilities
Learn more about AURI's facilities and the resources we offer to our clients. Continue Reading Facilities
AIC Board of Directors
The Center is governed by a board of directors made up of representatives of commodity groups, agribusinesses and members of the Minnesota legislature.
