By Blake Jackson
Small and diverse food and farm entrepreneurs in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and northwestern Arkansas are eligible to apply for Business Builder grants, totaling over $3.7 million.
The grants, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Heartland Regional Food Business Center, aim to support business expansion, job creation, capacity building, and increased availability of locally sourced products in regional markets.
Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 and will be awarded to small food and farm businesses or nonprofit organizations. Eligible applicants must have fewer than 50 employees and generate less than $3 million in annual revenue.
"This funding will provide important building blocks for producers and businesses," said Bill McKelvey, a senior project coordinator at the University of Missouri and Heartland Center project lead. "This effort complements related Missouri programs focused on agricultural entrepreneurship and value-added production, along with funding for food systems equipment and infrastructure. The awards will provide food and farm businesses with the capital needed to launch and expand their businesses while they work to build income streams or identify new markets."
Approximately 90% of Missouri farms are family-owned or managed, making them eligible for these grants. "Many of these farms produce for local and regional markets," McKelvey noted. "We also have thriving urban agriculture in our major cities and innovative value-added enterprises throughout the state."
The grants will prioritize food and farm entrepreneurs who may have limited experience with grant applications or are unsure about their eligibility.
MU Extension's Agricultural Business and Policy program and the Missouri Agriculture Food and Forestry Innovation Center will offer one-on-one technical assistance and grant writing consultation to Missouri applicants. A network of technical assistance providers is also available to support businesses in other states.
The Heartland Center's Business Builder initiative is supported by the Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES) at MU Extension, which provides online grant application hosting, resource-mapping support, evaluation, and website management.
An informational webinar on how to apply for Business Builder grants will be held on Wednesday, August 28, from noon to 1 p.m.
Photo Credit: usda-regional-food-business-centers
Categories: Missouri, Business, Government & Policy