With a difficult farm economy, there may be opportunities for diversification and entrepreneurship. “The local food movement has had an explosion in interest,” said Shannon Schlecht, executive director, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. Coproducts are another area of strength with the AURI team working with clients to identify new and innovative uses for farm commodities and ag residue. Minnesota AURI can now work in the adjacent states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. “Borders don’t stop commodity flows and we’re excited to create new opportunities for economic development.”
