Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City is launching the Promoting Local Agriculture & Neighborhood Transformation (PLANT) Grant, which is a huge step toward helping local farmers and making food more available in places that don’t have enough of it. This new program’s goal is to improve the city’s community food system by giving money directly to farmers so they can grow more food and get it to more people in the city.
The PLANT Grant will give new farms or community gardens up to $5,000, and farmers who currently have businesses up to $10,000. Applications are open for a one-month period, from July 1 through July 31. Those who are approved will get half of their grant money up advance, with the understanding that they will spend all of it within nine to 10 months.
For years, many areas in Kansas City have had trouble getting healthy, cheap food because there hasn’t been much investment in local food systems and government support has been going down. The PLANT Microgrant Program aims to directly address these issues by giving farmers the tools they need to grow more food, enhance distribution networks, and embrace eco-friendly practices that are good for both people and the world.
“The PLANT Grant represents a powerful step forward in strengthening Kansas City’s local food system”, said Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley. “By investing in our growers and community-based producers, we’re supporting agriculture, expanding access to healthy food, and building economic opportunity.”
To be eligible, proposals must meet at least one of the program’s three main goals: increasing the production or distribution of food for community use, making it easier for people to get healthy foods, or promoting regenerative agriculture methods that improve the health of both people and the environment in Kansas City.
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All projects that get money will have three check-in meetings with the City’s Food Systems Coordinator and Urban Agriculture Concierge. One of these meetings will be in person and will happen halfway through the project’s timeframe. A group of community partners and City personnel will look over the proposals and decide which ones to fund based on their budget, timeframe, and estimated impact.
“The PLANT Grant is a great example of how we can work together to support Kansas City neighborhoods. By partnering with local farmers and community organizations, we’re investing in practical solutions that expand access to fresh food and strengthen our local economy,” said City Manager Mario Vasquez. “This is about empowering residents, building trust, and delivering results that make our city healthier and more resilient.”
Residents and organizations interested in applying can find more information and complete the application process before the July 31 deadline. Through programs like the PLANT Grant, Kansas City is taking meaningful action to ensure everyone has access to fresh, healthy food while supporting the farmers who keep the community fed.
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