Biannual Stipend: Active members who attend at least seven coalition events annually are eligible for a $500 stipend twice a year.

Access to Resource Funding: Active members who attend at least seven coalition events annually can apply for funding specifically designed to help your business or operation grow. Funds may be used for things like a computer, Quickbooks subscription or startup business funding.

Mileage Reimbursement: We have an annual pool of funds members can apply to use for reimbursement of mileage costs to and from coalition activities.

Mentorship and Consultation: Request time with one of our coalition backbone members for one-on-one or group mentorship, consultation, or technical support. This benefit can cover growing best practices, infrastructure and construction, business development and management and more.

Training and Education: The Coalition plans and hosts FREE hands-on, work-and-learn events throughout the year, covering topics identified as interests and needs of our members.

Tool & Seed Library + Bulk Ordering: KC Farm School is in the process of building a tool library, but in the meantime, Coalition members can connect with each other to borrow the tools they need or lend what they have so that we can all get as much work done as possible. Plus, members can go in together to enjoy the convenience of bulk orders for seeds and other supplies.

Resource Hive: We want growers to find the information they need quickly, so we’re building a resource hive with helpful articles, agency and grant fact sheets, vendor and supply directories, and more compiled by Coalition members and partners themselves.

Volunteer Events: We build community when we show up for each other and lend a hand to those who need it most. Our volunteer events bring together Coalition members to help fellow farmers and ranchers with large tasks that require many hands or to help them get caught up after life’s struggles. Need a hand at your place? Let us know!

Action Teams: A primary way our Coalition’s work will move forward is through members participating in action teams that align with their experience, skill sets, and interests. You’ll not only have a seat at the table, but help us guide the Coalition through strategic planning, developing programs and events, and helping us reach different networks and communities.

Networking and Social Events: Build relationships at our various networking opportunities and social gatherings designed to be family-friendly and inclusive.

Monthly Newsletter: Our monthly newsletter is packed with resources, upcoming events, and community updates.

Input & Feedback: We develop programming and member benefits based on Coalition member input and feedback. Have your voice heard and help identify community needs and interests by completing an initial onboarding member survey, participating in biannual feedback groups, and accessing ongoing input/feedback forms.

Free Membership: There’s no cost to join—all you need to do is complete our membership registration survey and bring your passion for agriculture to our events.

Open to All Ages 13 and Up: Growing tomorrow starts with educating and training new farmers and ranchers of all ages today. Youth ages 13-18 are welcome to join us with the consent and supervision of an adult guardian. Those younger than 14 years old are not eligible to be paid.

Inclusive: Whether you grow food on a commercial scale, cultivate your backyard garden, or support local food initiatives, you belong here.

Intentional: We are creating an intentional community of people working towards a shared goal. Please take a look at the Coalition’s guiding principles to ensure you align with our values and work approach.

The KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S. Coalition follows a multifaceted set of guiding principles influenced by the missions of KC Farm School and Kansas City Black Urban Growers as well as principles of collective impact. These guiding principles are designed to helpfus oster community collaboration, sustainable agriculture, and inclusive growth while ensuring the preservation of farmland and the cultivation of a healthier, more equitable food system.

Environmental Stewardship: Our coalition strives to follow sustainable and regenerative farming practices, including no-till, chemical-free cultivation, soil building, carbon sequestration, and rainwater harvesting. Drawing on Indigenous wisdom and modern techniques, these practices aim to enhance biodiversity and ensure the sustainability of resources.

We also engage in practices that reduce waste and repurpose materials, such as composting and reusing farming inputs, supporting a circular economy that minimizes environmental impact.

Collaborative Leadership & Community Co-Creation: Reflecting the principles of collective impact, the coalition takes a collaborative leadership approach emphasizing joint decision-making, facilitating partnerships, and leveraging diverse strengths and perspectives.

We believe effective change comes from working with the community rather than for it. So, we practice radical hospitality and engage community members directly in decision-making and action. Active participation in coalition activities, including training sessions, community rebuilding efforts, and resource sharing, is essential for the dynamic growth of individual members and the coalition as a whole.

Inclusivity and Equity: The coalition welcomes individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in agricultural sectors such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Our team carefully considers and intentionally tries to create a diverse and inclusive coalition with experiences and environments that foster safety and well-being and where all can thrive and feel valued.

Adhering to equitable practices, the Coalition supports and encourages community resource mechanisms, like Pay-What-You-Can pricing for applicable costs, food and social assistance programs, and barter and trade. These approaches aim to make food and agricultural opportunities accessible to everyone regardless of financial status.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The coalition values continuous improvement and learning. We encourage members to stay informed about the best sustainable practices and to adapt these methods to their individual and local needs.

Changes to our program are informed by both quantitative data and community feedback to ensure the coalition’s relevance and effectiveness while maintaining transparency, integrity, and clear communication with members and stakeholders.