Urban Agriculture Micro-Grant Program

The Urban Agriculture Micro-Grant Program is a new funding initiative administered by Cultivate KC in collaboration with KC Black Urban Growers, underwritten by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and coordinated through a cooperative agreement with T.I.M.E. Inc. This grant program is designed to support urban agriculture efforts in the Kansas City metropolitan area, specifically targeting small- and mid-scale growers who are producing food either for sale or for the benefit of their local communities. It is distinct from previous mini-grant initiatives like the Get Farming Mini Grants and Just In Time Microgrants, operating on a separate cycle and with its own set of eligibility, environmental review, and reporting requirements. The primary objective of the program is to strengthen local food production systems by enhancing the capacity of current growers. Applicants may request up to $5,000 in funding, which can be used for a range of eligible activities such as acquiring land, expanding growing operations, improving production efficiency, developing on-farm infrastructure, and accessing training and education. Each grant award may only be received once per producer throughout the three-year life of the program. Additionally, projects aimed at benefiting the broader farming community, such as cooperative services, shared infrastructure, and equipment access programs, are also eligible. To be eligible, applicants must be individuals or small groups of farmers or producers located in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The eligible geographic range includes four counties in Missouri—Clay, Cass, Jackson, and Platte—and four counties in Kansas—Leavenworth, Johnson, Miami, and Wyandotte. All applicants must be producing edible agricultural products, including vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, or other food items. Applicants are disqualified if they have previously received funding from USDA, federal, tribal, or state programs for the same purpose, or if they have already been awarded a grant through this program. Grant funds must be used for food-producing farms only and may support infrastructure projects such as building greenhouses, packing sheds, or cold storage facilities, as long as these structures comply with relevant building codes. Additional eligible costs include conference registration, travel, and lodging associated with educational opportunities. Proposals that already involve funding from other sources are welcome but may be subject to modifications based on reviewer feedback. The initial round of the program opens for applications on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, and will close on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced in September 2025, pending final approval by FSA and T.I.M.E. Inc. An informational session will be held on July 16, 2025, from 6 to 7 pm. The program is scheduled to hold two rounds of funding annually for three years, with each grower permitted to receive only one grant during this time. For further inquiries or assistance, applicants can contact Cultivate KC at 913.831.2444 or via email at info@cultivatekc.org. The administrative office is located at 4049 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 206, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.