Harvest to Market Grant: Harvesting rural opportunities

BY LAINEY PRINCE

HOMETOWN GIRARD

▸▸ In hopes of strengthening local farmers, ranchers, and producers, the Harvest to Market Grant aims to provide financial support to rural counties in Kansas and Western Missouri.

The Harvest to Market Grant is funded by the Heartland Regional Food Business Coalition, which was created after the USDA terminated the Heartland Regional Food Business Center.

Along with the Heartland Regional Food Business Center’s closure, certain grants would not be offered in the foreseeable future. As a result, the Harvest to Market Grant was established, with 2026 as the first year.

This year, the grant has approximately $1 million available in funding. Applicants can request grants from $5,000 to $25,000.

The Patterson Family Foundation funds the Coalition and its partners, including New Growth, the Kansas City Food Hub, the Food Circle, the University of Missouri Extension, the Kansas State Extension, and the Kansas Rural Center.

“I would encourage every eligible farm to apply because we have worked hard to make this grant as user-friendly as possible,” explained Kansas Rural Center Navigator Leslie Montee. “Applications can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first time ever applying for a grant. We offer free technical assistance through partners across the region, so applicants can get as much, or as little, help as they need throughout the process.”

Eligible farms must be located in a rural county in Kansas or western Missouri and complete their project six months after their start date.

According to the Harvest to Market Grant, retail food sales outlets, producers, farmers, ranchers, food and farm cooperatives, value-added processors, businesses involved in aggregation and distribution, food hubs, farmers markets, tribal food and farm enterprises, and food and farm business enterprises, including school food service, are all qualified businesses to apply.

To provide the most immediate help as needed, the grant recipient will receive 60% of the grant up front. After completion of the project is submitted and proven, the recipient will obtain the remaining 40%.

Montee stated, “That upfront funding can make a real difference for farms that may not have the cash flow to pay for an entire project before being reimbursed.

“At the end of the day, this grant is an investment in local farms, helping them grow their businesses, reach new markets, and strengthen our regional food system.”

Because of the lack of opportunities, resources, and nearby markets, the grant focuses on impacting rural communities. This can ensure that the project’s goal is maintained: supporting the small towns of the Midwest.

Montee expressed that, “When we invest in local farms, we’re investing in our neighbors, our local economy, and the future of our rural communities. That’s exactly what the Harvest to Market Grant is designed to do.”

Not only do the farmers and producers benefit from the Harvest to Market Grant, so does the community. “Strong local farms support local jobs, purchase goods and services from nearby businesses, and keep more food dollars circulating in rural communities. They also make it easier for families to access fresh, locally grown food,” explained Montee.

“There’s something special about buying local. Food that’s harvested close to home tastes better because it can be picked at peak ripeness instead of being shipped long distances. Consumers also have the opportunity to know who grows their food, ask questions about how it’s produced, and build relationships with the farmers in their own communities. That connection between producers and consumers is something you just don’t get with food that’s traveled hundreds or even thousands of miles.”

The Harvest to Market Grant is providing new support to old and new Kansas and Western Missouri businesses alike.

Community members in Crawford County and Southeast Kansas can take advantage of this opportunity to support their farms and food production companies.

Applications are due August 31, 2026 by 12:00 p.m. Central Time. Recipients should receive notice of their grant by the middle of November 2026.

“At the end of the day,” stated Montee, “investing in local farms is an investment in healthier communities, stronger local economies, and a more connected regional food system.”

If a business is interested, they reach out to Leslie.m@kansasruralcenter.org for assistance or visit https://heartlandfoodbusiness.org/harvest-to-market-grant/ online and to start an application.