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Northern Crops Institute requests equipment; Agronomy Seed Farm remains self-funded
Summary
The committee reviewed a $350,000 request for a protein‑extraction system at the Northern Crops Institute (NCI) to support pilot‑scale food and feed fractionation; NCI said the device would be fee‑for‑service and may require upfront donations. The Agronomy Seed Farm submitted no general‑fund requests and operates on special funds.
The Appropriations committee received briefings on the Northern Crops Institute (NCI) and the Agronomy Seed Farm.
David Boehm, director of NCI, asked for $350,000 in special‑fund authority to purchase and install a protein‑extraction and fractionation system that separates protein, starch and fiber from cereal grains and oilseeds. Boehm said the equipment would support pilot‑scale processing that private food companies, commodity groups and regional universities could use; work would be charged on a fee‑for‑service basis. “To get this piece of equipment we would probably have to have some donations up front,” Boehm told the committee, and afterwards the institute would charge clients for daily use or processing work.
Committee members noted NCI supports multi‑state clients (North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana) and that the unit’s services are often used to develop commercially scalable food or feed products. The Senate included an operating increase to cover utilities and the institute had asked for a larger operating figure to reflect Peltier Complex occupancy.
On the Agronomy Seed Farm budget, agency staff said the operation is funded with special funds and had no general‑fund changes; the Senate version was acceptable to agency staff.
Ending: The committee accepted the Senate approach for the seed farm and asked NCI to pursue donor and fee‑for‑service plans while the appropriation request proceeds through conference.
