Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program

Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program is sponsored by Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA). Assists small agribusinesses operating in urban areas with projects focusing on growth and development of agribusinesses, development of production infrastructure or direct distribution venues, providing training and developing skills for agribusiness sustainability, and project…

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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. 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, 2025 Anticipated award date: Mid-Oct. 2025 MOVERS Registration: Dec.

1, 2025 Reimbursement Request Form Deadline: March 31, 2026 Final Report & Documents Deadline: May 15, 2026 Initial Inspection: Late May 2026 Follow-up Inspection: Spring 2027 All reimbursable project expenses must be made between the award date and March 31, 2026.

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, 2026. All expenses submitted must include detailed receipts with clear proof of payment and dates listed.

Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report to MDA by May 15, 2026, at 11:59 p. m. 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 , 2025 .

Register to do business in Missouri and be in good standing with the Secretary of State , if applicable. Provide MDA a Certificate of No Tax Due (valid for 90 days). Must have proof of enrollment in E-Verify by providing an MOU.

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, 2025 . Applications may be submitted to: Missouri Department of Agriculture For additional information or questions, email Amanda.

L. Wieberg@mda. mo.

gov or call (573) 751-7794. Urban Ag Grant Guidelines Urban Ag Grant Application The Urban Agriculture Matching Grant Program, funded through the Missouri Department of Agriculture, awards grants for reimbursement of expenses associated with urban agriculture. The Urban Agriculture grant encompasses projects that may include introducing a new crop or product to an area, or expanding the use of or adding value to agricultural products.

This is a competitive grant program and funds may be used to: Develop small agribusinesses in urbanized areas Develop production infrastructure, direct distribution venues and workforce development Provide training and develop skills for agricultural business sustainability Provide training and develop skills for agricultural business sustainability General Information and Submission Guidelines Supply reimbursement request due: Projects must be complete or near completion at time of inspection.

Available funds are for the current 2023 fiscal year. Failure to complete documentation by May 1, 2023 , will result in the forfeiture of funds. Applicants must meet ALL following requirements to be eligible for a grant award: Eligible projects must reside within one of the following urban areas, as designated by the Missouri Census Data Center: Awardees must attend an overview training provided by MDA staff.

Reimbursements will only be made for expenditures accrued during the grant period and for detailed receipts submitted with a $0 balance statement included.

Examples of eligible expenses: Business plan development Project-approved supplies Examples of ineligible expenses: Salaries/payroll for employees Donations/contributions to fundraisers Supplies/expenses not previously approved costs incurred through other MDA financial opportunities Applicants must provide at minimum a $. 25:$1 match for the project. Matching funds can be cash and in-kind.

A cash match must be equal to or greater than 50% of the total match for eligibility. The applicant must be registered to do business in Missouri and in good standing with the Secretary of State, if applicable. Visit www.

sos. mo. gov for more information.

The applicant must complete and submit Form 943 to obtain a tax clearance certificate (valid for 90 days) from the Missouri Department of Revenue for each owner and the business. For more info, visit https://dor. mo.

gov/business/sales/notaxdue/ . The applicant must not employ illegal workers and must provide proof of enrollment in E-Verify. An MOU issued from www.

e-verify. gov must be provided to MDA. Prior to award reimbursement, the applicant must register as a vendor with the State of Missouri through the MissouriBUYS web portal.

Successful applicants must complete and submit ALL required documentation including detailed zero balance statements by December 31, 2022 and a final report no later than May 1, 2023 . Projects must be ready for inspection by Missouri Department of Agriculture staff prior to reimbursement of any funds. Project should be complete or near completion at the time of inspection.

Inspections will be completed by June 1, 2023. Applications may be submitted to: Missouri Department of Agriculture – Urban Agriculture Matching Grants FY2023 Urban Agriculture Matching Grant – Application Ag Business Development Division Ag Business Development Staff