North Dakota Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund (ADD)

North Dakota Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund (ADD) is sponsored by North Dakota Department of Agriculture. This fund provides grants for new or expanding value-added agriculture businesses in North Dakota. It supports projects that diversify crop or animal industries, enhance profitability for farmers and ranchers, and grow North Dakota's value-added agriculture sector.

Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund (ADD) | North Dakota Department of Agriculture Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund (ADD) The Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund (ADD) was established to support new or expanding value-added agriculture businesses that demonstrate financial feasibility, enhance profitability for farmers and ranchers, and grow North Dakota’s economy through a grant program.

Value-added agriculture business registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office or a North Dakota resident that diversifies a crop or animal industry and provides collateral uses for agriculture resources. Businesses with a majority ownership comprised of North Dakota residents will have priority over majority non-North Dakota-owned applications.

Companies outside North Dakota must have an established relationship with a North Dakota partner which includes individual, company or agency to validate the credibility of the proposal and comply with the intent of the Code.

The types of projects may include but are not limited to: Food production and processing facilities Feed or pet food processing facilities Commodity processing facilities Agriculture product manufacturer Animal production facilities Priority consideration is given to projects most consistent with the mission of the Agriculture Diversification and Development Committee as established in North Dakota Century Code 4. 1-01. 1-07 .

Emphasis will be given to those proposals deemed most likely to generate economic returns and support agricultural-based prosperity of a region or sector of the state. Grants: Proposals are limited to $500,000. The Committee reserves the right to increase or decrease requested funding based on its findings and on its level of available funds.

The Committee does not provide salaries or operating expenses normally associated with standard business practices. Each request and application will be judged on these criteria with a total of 100 points maximum awarded Probability of Success and Extent of New Wealth Creation: Up to 30 points The Committee’s objectives and mission are plainly stated. North Dakota is dependent upon the revitalization of the agricultural economy.

The creation of new industry, jobs, and wealth are critical to any project award; preference will be given accordingly. Economic Value Added (EVA) is a prime consideration of all requests. Current Financing and Owner Equity: Up to 30 points Enhanced consideration will be given to projects which demonstrate a commitment for funding from the applicant or from other private or public sources.

Applicants do not need to receive financing from a North Dakota based financial institutions to be eligible for this program. Technical Qualification and Competence of Project Principals: Up to 30 points In evaluating the application, strong consideration is given to the technical qualification and competence of project principals.

Preference will be given to principals with a strong background and experience related to the proposed project area. Principals will demonstrate an understanding of industry trends and their impact on business.

Committee Opinion and Sustainability Efforts: Up to 10 points Committee members are allowed flexibility in scoring projects for merit and for projects that clearly demonstrate scientifically based and researched sustainability efforts. These include evidence of locally or sustainably sourced materials, carbon offsets, sustainable materials management, and sustainable sources of energy.

Committee members are provided 10% scoring discretion based largely on individual judgment of the likelihood of success of each proposal and/or for the inclusion of sustainability efforts. Administration and Reporting Successful applicants are expected to adhere to the conditions outlined in the ADD guidelines. Following approval of the project, a formal grant agreement will be executed between NDDA and the applicant.

Under the terms of some agreements, the applicant may be required to submit to the NDDA periodic interim reports outlining progress on both timeline and budget compliance, including amount of finance already used, jobs maintained/created and up-to-date revenues and expenses. Awardees will be required to submit a final written report to the Committee describing the work performed and the results obtained upon completion of project.

The report should also indicate how the project benefited North Dakota’s economy and job creation in the state. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the ADD program coordinator Daniel Ratajczak before the quarterly application deadline (see ADD Meeting Dates section) to discuss project eligibility and feasibility. Applicant must complete the ADD application form (PDF) by downloading it to their desktop.

If it is completed from a browser, the form will not work properly. Refer to the download instructions below under Related Resources if assistance is needed downloading the form. The business plan must include a description of project, market overview and viability, competition, composition of leadership team and full sources and uses of funds.

The completed application must include original signatures of the applicant. Applications are accepted on an “on-going” basis. The first 10 eligible applicants will be invited to present their proposal to the Committee.

If an application is received after the deadline, it will be presented at the following scheduled meeting. To email the application and supporting documents: Send to dratajczak@nd. gov .

To postal mail the application and supporting documents: Send to North Dakota Department of Agriculture Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund 600 E. Boulevard Ave. , Dept.

602 Applications are due as noted in the table. The first 10 eligible applicants will be invited to present their proposal to the Committee. Meeting Date Location Application Deadline February 25-26 Bismarck January 1 May 27-28 Bottineau April 1 July 20-21 Medora July 1 November 18-19 Grand Forks October 1 The North Dakota Agriculture Diversification and Development Committee consists of 11 board members.

The Agriculture Commissioner appoints five members and the Governor appoints one member. The remaining committee members include the North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner, the Director of the Department of Economic Development & Finance, the President of the North Dakota State University, or their designees.

The remaining two members must be representatives from the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota and North Dakota Bankers Association.

Commissioner's Appointee Matthew Glessner Commissioner's Appointee Bill Ongstad Commissioner's Appointee Keith Peltier Commissioner's Appointee Wade Boeshans Governor's Appointee Dennis Walsh Banks of North Dakota Dianne Pierce Bankers Association Kevin Sonsalla Statutory Marshall Stewart Application Download Instructions Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund (ADD) Contacts Ag Development Specialist 600 East Boulevard Ave.

Dept. 602