Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

“The form 990 is electronically sent to the board of directors for review and is then discussed and approved at a board meeting prior to filing.”

“Board members are required to sign a conflict of interest agreement upon being seated on the auri board of directors and it is reviewed and signed-off upon annually, thereafter. Auri requires board members to disclose any actual or perceived conflicts of interest with auri.”

“The auri board of directors conducts an annual evaluation/review of the executive director's performance. The board of directors decides upon and approves the compensation of the executive director with input from auri's human resources department. The auri human resources department looks at comparable data to substantiate the compensation, along with input from an independent company. The salaries, wages and benefits of all auri employees are included in the annual budget, which is reviewed and approved by the executive director and board of directors annually. All compensation of auri employees is reviewed by its human resources department and an independent party prior to hire and reviewed annually, thereafter.”

“Governing documents and conflict of interest policies are available upon request to the executive director. Financial statements are made publicly available at board meetings and upon request to the executive director.”

“Shannon schlecht - 510 county road 71, ste #120, crookston, mn 56716.”

“Mr. Ken asp represents minnesota wheat research & promotion council. Mr. Ron obermoller represents minnesota soybean research & promotion council. Mr. John schafer represents mn beef council. Mr. Jerry hasnedl represents minnesota farmer's union. Mn wheat, mn soybean, mn beef, and mn farmer's union are collaborators on some of auri's projects. Shannon schlecht and jimmy gosse, employees of auri, serve as board members for the ag innovation campus which is being built and operated by the minnesota soybean growers and will collaborate on projects with auri. Mr. Jon veldhouse represents an agri-business seat on the board of directors and works for qore, a joint venture company with cargill. Cargill has been a partner on auri projects. Mr. Jeff grev represents an at-large seat on the board of directors and works for hormel foods. Hormel foods has been a partner and participant on auri projects.”