Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

Your support empowers entrepreneurs, farmers, and small to medium-sized businesses to advance innovations, develop new products, and grow markets that use Minnesota’s agricultural crops. 

 The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is a nonprofit organization, unique to Minnesota and the upper Midwest, that accelerates the expansion of the agricultural economy by empowering expanded uses and markets of agriculturally derived products.

 AURI collaborates with farmers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to drive food and agricultural innovation, achieving impactful outcomes. AURI offers discounted applied research and business development resources to Minnesota entities, offering a wide range of services that include new product development, feasibility assistance, and assessing business and marketing needs, all with the goal of strengthening Minnesota’s vital agricultural industry.  

 The results are clear. In FY24, AURI worked on over 210 projects, and Minnesota entities over the past five years reported that AURI's assistance helped them increase new gross annual sales by over $187 million, create or retain 717 jobs, and move forward with nearly $85 million in new capital investment, primarily in rural areas, to support local economies and the agriculture sector. 

 AURI was created by the state of Minnesota to support the agricultural industry, and it has facilities and people located throughout the state to provide assistance.  Additionally, AURI conducts multiple networking events, webinars, and public initiatives each year. These channels inform the public and industry, from producers to consumer-facing companies, of novel new ideas to help utilize the state’s agricultural commodities. 

 AURI currently operates facilities and offices in Crookston, Marshall, St. Paul, and Waseca. Approximately 70 percent of AURI’s resources go to assisting producers and businesses located in Greater Minnesota. 

 With your support, AURI can do more to turn ideas from your fellow Minnesotans into reality.  We are currently asking for donations to support our mission of utilizing our state’s agricultural outputs to achieve our vision of $500 million in economic impact. 

 Please, donate today.  

 To learn more about AURI, its mission, and the impact you can make, visit https://auri.org/donate/