As a part of their four pillars of purpose – research, education, market development, and promotion – the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council is offering a scholarship for producers for ethanol-associated conferences. The goal of this scholarship for North Dakota corn producers is to provide an educational opportunity to the check-off paying producers of this state that will empower them to have critical conversations at home about ethanol and the North Dakota ethanol industry and its value to the state.
North Dakota’s ethanol industry contributes more than $300 million annually to the state’s economy. The United States ethanol industry adds $42.4 billion to the Gross Domestic Product and contributes $29.9 billion to household income and $8 billion in tax revenue.
“North Dakota’s five ethanol plants purchase 40-60 percent of the state’s corn crop annually, providing a significant value-added market opportunity for North Dakota’s agricultural producers,” says Tysen Rosenau, chairman of the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. “Attending an ethanol-associated conference is a significant first step to understanding the market that adds so much value to our bottom line, and for getting a feel for the future of that industry. Producers who attend these conferences will feel much more empowered to have conversations about this valuable industry when they return home.”
Scholarship Terms:
North Dakota corn checkoff paying producers are eligible to receive a scholarship from the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council one time. One individual per household per year is eligible to receive a scholarship.
Recipients of this scholarship will be responsible for making their own arrangements to attend the ethanol-related conference, including transportation, accommodations, and registration. Recipients of this scholarship will be required to travel with board members, staff, or representatives of the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. Any conference without a board member or staff member of the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council in attendance will not be considered for participation by the scholarship recipient. Any conference hosted by an organization that the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council is not a member of will not be considered for participation by the scholarship recipient.
The North Dakota Corn Utilization Council can only reimburse costs associated with each conference in accordance with North Dakota State Finance and Administrative rules. This includes registration fees, hotels, meals, mileage, and/or airfare. Approved costs can be reimbursed up to but not exceeding $2,000.
Recipients of this scholarship will be required to sign the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Form. Any violation will jeopardize reimbursement per the terms of this award.
