KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S. Coalition
This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, BFRDP project # 2023-49400-40896
“KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S. (Kansas City Farmers and Ranchers for Mentoring, Education, and Resource Sharing) Coalition" is a project of KC Farm School at Gibbs Road and Kansas City Black Urban Growers Inc. (KC BUGs), and was developed to provide farmer-led, hands-on education for beginning farmers and ranchers across the Kansas City region and to preserve farmland for future generations.
One-third of our nation’s farmers are 65 years old or older. Many farmers nearing retirement do not have a successor to continue their work. At the same time, we are at an opportune moment, with nearly one-quarter of all farmers being beginning farmers. By bringing these two groups together through farmer-led skills training, business education, and farm transition facilitation, the KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S coalition will work to attract and support the next generation of farmers and ensure the continuity of farming and its vital contributions to society, as well as the preservation of farmland.
This coalition includes beginning farmers and ranchers, business and training partners, as well as experienced farmers and ranchers. They will work together collaboratively, using the principles of collective impact, to address community-identified needs. The coalition will develop business and leadership capacity by sharing resources, creating mentorship opportunities, and hosting hands-on business training and community rebuilding activities.
Supporting new and beginning farmers has multiple benefits. Farming is crucial for food security, economic development, rural growth, and urban connection to the land. Sustainable farming practices play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. Additionally, farming is deeply rooted in cultural heritage, maintaining traditional knowledge and community identity.
The KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S coalition aims to support beginning farmers and ranchers in the Kansas City area. We will achieve this by combining collective impact, providing extensive mentorship and financial support to farmers and ranchers, and rooting all coalition activities in community rebuilding practices. Our goal is to help new farmers and ranchers start and sustain their farming endeavors while preserving the farmland crucial to food production.
Become A Coalition Member
The KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S. Coalition is dedicated to supporting and expanding our local agricultural community. Whether you are an experienced farmer or rancher, an aspiring grower, or simply passionate about local food production, our coalition is designed to help you grow and provide mutual support for success. By joining us, you will be part of a dynamic network built on collaboration, support, and innovation.
Several benefits are available to coalition members, including financial resources, educational training, mentorship, technical and business assistance, and community support, among others.
Upcoming Coalition Events
Coalition Member Benefits & Resources
Annual Member Stipend
Did you know it pays to be an active Coalition member?
Coalition members who attend at least seven coalition events annually are eligible for an annual $500 stipend. We'll contact eligible Coalition members for stipend disbursement in September.
Business Resource Funding
Need something to help you start or grow your business? We can help!
Coalition members can request funding from our annual resource pool once per program year for business services or start-up supplies/equipment. Learn more about the process, timeline and some examples of approved requests here.
>>> REQUEST RESOURCE FUNDING
Connect & Share Resources
We encourage Coalition members to connect and share tools, extra seeds, plants, construction materials, or even skillsets or expertise. Let us know what you need, and also what you'd be willing to share with others.
>>> Share or Request Resources
Action Is The Solution
One way our Coalition work moves forward is through members participating in action teams that will help us guide the Coalition through strategic planning, develop programs and events, and help us reach different networks and communities.
>>> JOIN AN ACTION TEAM
Hands-On Work & Learn Events
Each of our work-and-learn sessions has a hands-on component so that everyone participating can have tactile learning experiences while sometimes helping out at the host farm. This approach helps to create muscle memory and builds community.
Workshop topics and host locations vary and are based on the needs we’ve identified from coalition members.
These events are FREE, and we generally try to provide a community meal for attendees from a local food entrepreneur or business. Attendees are responsible for transportation to and from the event, other meals, and additional equipment or supplies based on event details.
>>> SEE UPCOMING COALITION EVENTS
Our programming is based on member-identified needs and interests. So, tell us what you'd like to learn, or better yet, help us plan our next workshop or event! We are excited to hear your ideas for workshops, volunteer or work-and-learn events.
>>> PROPOSE A WORKSHOP OR EVENT
Contribute & Utilize Our Mutual 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 and for Coalition members.
Please note that accessing our resource hive requires a membership password. Please contact us with questions.
>>>ACCESS THE RESOURCE HIVE
Coalition Backbone Team & Staff
We are grateful to our backbone team of established farmers and partner organizations that have committed to helping guide this project, as well as our project leads, Alicia Ellingsworth and Dina Newman, and project coordinator, Ashley Bath.
If you have questions about the coalition and/or how to get involved, you can reach out to Ashley at ashley@kcfarmschool.org.
