Missouri Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program

Missouri Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program is sponsored by Missouri Department of Agriculture. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

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href, Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program The application period is currently open. Please call if you have questions. The application period is currently closed.

Please call if you have questions. Apply for the Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant The Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program assists small agribusinesses operating in urban areas.

Acceptable projects should focus on: Growth and development of agribusinesses Development of production infrastructure or direct distribution venues Providing training and developing skills for agribusiness sustainability Projects that demonstrate economic growth Projects should support urban agriculture.

Acceptable projects include, but are not limited to: Business Plan Development Applicants will be responsible for following the timeline and communicating in advance if deadlines cannot be met: Application Submission Deadline: Sept. 15, 2026 Anticipated award date: Mid-Oct. 2026 MOVERS Registration: Dec.

1, 2026 Reimbursement Request Form Deadline: March 31, 2027 Final Report & Documents Deadline: May 15, 2027 Initial Inspection: Late May 2027 Follow-up Inspection: Spring 2028 All reimbursable project expenses must be made between the award date and March 31, 2027.

The grant amount awarded to any person, group of individuals, business or organization related to addressing urban agriculture and economic development is 75% of the total project expenditures, up to $10,000 .

Total Project Expenditures This is a reimbursement-only grant, therefore funds will only be released upon the receipt of all paid invoices showing proof of payment, completion of required registrations and after an inspection has been performed by MDA staff. You do not need to determine specific items to be used for a match. The grant only reimburses for 75% of the total eligible project costs.

The remaining 25% represents your “match” for this grant. Applicants may be an individual, groups of individuals, businesses, and organizations related to agriculture. Eligible projects must aid small agribusinesses and provide workforce development to Missouri residents and reside within one of the following urban areas, as designated by the -->2020 US Census -->: Fort Leonard Wood-St.

Robert-Waynesville, MO Village of Four Seasons, MO Whiteman AFB-Knob Noster, MO The United States Census Bureau defines urban areas as: densely developed territories that encompass residential, commercial, and other nonresidential urban land uses. Each urban area must encompass at least 2,000 housing units or at least 5,000 people. This is a change from the previous minimum of 2,500 people, which had been in place since the 1910 Census.

If you have questions about your location qualifying, please reach out to grants@mda. mo. gov , or call (573) 751-7794.

Urban areas are defined primarily based on housing unit density measured at the census block level. Three housing unit densities are applied during the delineation process: Initial urban core: at least 425 housing units per square mile. Based on the national average of 2.

6 people per occupied housing unit, this density threshold is similar to the 1,000 people per square mile used in 2000 and 2010 when delineating initial urban cores. Remainder of urban area: at least 200 housing units per square mile. At least one high-density nucleus of at least 1,275 housing units per square mile required for qualification.

This ensures that each urban area contains a high-density nucleus typical of what one would expect to find within an urban area. This is similar to the 500 people per square mile density used for the 2000 and 2010 Censuses, based on the national average of 2. 6 people per occupied housing unit.

In addition to the change in minimum thresholds for qualification and the change to use of housing unit density, the Census Bureau also no longer distinguishes between urbanized areas of 50,000 or more people and urban clusters of less than 50,000 people comprising all territory, population, and housing units located in urbanized areas and in places of 2,500 or more inhabitants outside of urban areas.

The term urban refers to both kinds of geographic entities. How does the Program Work? Projects will be selected on a competitive basis.

Each application will be evaluated and scored using the following criteria: Once awarded, grantees may begin making all approved project expenditures during the outlined grant period. Reimbursements will only be made for expenditures paid for between the date of award and March 31, 2027. All expenses submitted must include detailed receipts with clear proof of payment and dates listed.

Grantees will be responsible for meeting ALL of the following requirements prior to reimbursement: Register as a vendor with the State of Missouri through the MOVERS web portal and be in “Approved” status by December 1 st , 2026 . Register to do business in Missouri and be in good standing with the Secretary of State , if applicable. Visit sos.

mo. gov for more information. Provide MDA a Certificate of No Tax Due (valid for 90 days).

This certificate can be requested online at https://mytax. mo. gov/ or by completing and submitting a Form 943 to the Missouri Department of Revenue Must have proof of enrollment in E-Verify by providing a MOU issued from e-verify.

gov .

Eligible & Ineligible Expenses Awarded funds are intended to be used on project supplies including the following examples: Garden tools (Any tools requiring fuel must be pre-approved) Plants, seeds, soil, fertilizer Greenhouse materials and installment Contracted work within grant period Food processing equipment and supplies Storage facilities and equipment Awarded grant funds are NOT intended for the following: Paying off existing loans Costs incurred prior to the date or grant award Livestock or poultry purchases Security system equipment and/or installation Operational costs such as payroll, utilities, or insurance Salaries/fringe benefits of those involved in the grant project Buying or leasing land or buildings Buying or leasing of machinery or equipment, unless previously approved Costs incurred through other MDA financial opportunities FY26 Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.

m. on September 15, 2026 . Applications should be submitted to: Missouri Department of Agriculture Urban Ag Grant Application Urban Ag Grant Guidelines For additional information or questions, email grants@mda.

mo. gov or call (573) 751-7794. Frequently Asked Questions: How is an urban area determined?

The United States Census Bureau defines urban areas as densely developed territories that encompass residential, commercial, and other nonresidential urban land uses. Each urban area must encompass at least 2,000 housing units or at least 5,000 people. This is a change from the previous minimum of 2,500 people, which had been in place since the 1910 Census.

Do I need to complete every section on the application? Yes, every section must be completed for the application to be evaluated properly. Should I include any support letters?

Yes, our Advisory Committee requires at least two letters of support for each application. If awarded, will I get my funds at the beginning of the project? No, this is a reimbursement-only grant, therefore funds will only be released upon the receipt of all paid invoices showing proof of payment, completion of required registrations and after an inspection has been performed by MDA staff.

What is considered proof of payment? Proof of payment can either be a store receipt with the method of payment clearly printed on it, a copy of a cleared check, or a detailed bank or credit card statement. Is a match needed for this grant?

You do not need to determine specific items to be used for a match. The grant reimburses for 75% of the total eligible project costs. The remaining 25% represents your “match” for this grant.

Ag Business Development Division Ag Business Development Staff