The application for the PLANT Microgrant Program is open from July 1st-July 30th!
Grant Information
The City of Kansas City is proud to offer the Promoting Local Agriculture and Neighborhood Transformation (PLANT) Microgrant Program. This initiative supports local farmers and growers by increasing access to and production of fresh, locally produced food, helping build stronger, more self-sufficient neighborhoods.
Kansas City faces ongoing challenges when it comes to food access. Years of underinvestment in local food infrastructure, combined with federal funding cuts, have left many communities without reliable access to healthy food. The PLANT Microgrant Program seeks to change that by investing directly in our local growers and food system.
Project Requirements & Funding Details
To be considered for funding, project proposals must support at least one key goal: increasing food production, processing, or distribution for public use; improving access to fresh healthy food; or advancing regenerative agriculture practices within Kansas City.
Grants offer up to $5,000 for new farm or garden projects and up to $10,000 for existing operations. Applications will be open for one month, with recipients receiving 50% of the funds upfront and required to use the full amount within 9-10 months.
Projects will be monitored through three check-in meetings with the City’s Food Systems Coordinator and Urban Agriculture Concierge, including one in-person visit at the halfway point. Proposals are scored by community partners and City staff based on budget, timeline, and impact.
Why Local Food Matters
Local food systems are vital to our community’s health, economy, and environment.
- Strengthen climate resilience by reducing reliance on long-distance transportation and energy-intensive processing.
- Require fewer resources compared to global food systems.
- Help reduce greenhouse gas emissions—over one-third of which are linked to food production and distribution (United Nations, 2021).
By supporting local growers and choosing locally sourced foods, we can protect our environment, improve community health, and invest in a more sustainable future for Kansas City.
For more information
Read the full document: Promoting Local Agriculture and Neighborhood Transformation (PLANT) Grant document.
Program Requirements/Eligibility
A successful project proposal should produce outcomes that address at least one of the following goals:
- Increase food crop production, processing, and/or distribution for public sales or distribution.
- Improve distribution & access to fresh foods.
- Advance regenerative agricultural efforts to produce food in KCMO for social and environmental benefits.
Contact:
For more information, email Brooke Freeman (brooke.freeman@kcmo.org)
