Kansas City, MO, January 3, 2026
A $2.15 million grant from the Patterson Family Foundation is set to enhance food and farm entrepreneurship in Kansas and western Missouri. This funding supports small business growth in rural areas significantly impacted by recent federal funding cuts, emphasizing the importance of private initiatives in driving local economic development. Grant activities include business training, direct financial support, and logistical assistance to strengthen regional food systems and empower local entrepreneurs.
Rural Revitalization: $2.15M Grant Fuels MO Food & Farm Growth
A significant private investment aims to energize small food and farm businesses across Kansas and western Missouri, fostering entrepreneurship and strengthening local economies in the face of recent federal funding reductions. This initiative underscores the vital role of private foundations and local organizations in driving economic growth and community resilience in the American heartland.
For entrepreneurs in the food and farm sectors, navigating the landscape of funding and support can be challenging. This new grant provides a timely boost, emphasizing the power of targeted resources to cultivate innovation and self-sufficiency among Missouri MO entrepreneurs and their counterparts in neighboring Kansas.
Bridging the Gap in Rural Development
Kansas City, MO – A substantial $2.15 million grant from the Patterson Family Foundation is set to significantly bolster food-related economic development across Kansas and western Missouri. This two-year grant has been awarded to New Growth, a nonprofit rural community development corporation based in Appleton City, Missouri. The funding arrives at a crucial time, specifically after federal cuts impacted the Heartland Regional Food Business Center, which had previously supported similar initiatives.
This strategic investment highlights how private sector philanthropy can step in to support vital economic development efforts, ensuring continuity and growth for Kansas City small business ecosystems and the broader Midlands economic growth, especially in rural areas that are often the first to feel the impact of shifting federal priorities. The grant is designed to foster entrepreneurship, enrich local food systems, expand access to child care, and maintain a volunteer driver network within small communities.
Empowering Local Food and Farm Entrepreneurs
A key component of the $2.15 million grant includes $1 million specifically earmarked for direct grants to enterprises. This portion of the funding is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of small businesses to bring local food products to market. This includes a range of activities vital for entrepreneurial success and expansion.
Funded activities are designed to provide practical support and resources to food and farm entrepreneurs. These include business training workshops, offering foundational knowledge and skills necessary for growth. Additionally, one-on-one business coaching and technical assistance will be provided, helping entrepreneurs navigate market connections and overcome operational challenges. The grant also facilitates direct business expansion grants for these food and farm entrepreneurs. These targeted investments are critical for nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and fostering sustainable growth in rural economies.
Strengthening Regional Food Systems
The grant’s impact extends to enhancing the logistical backbone of the regional food economy. It provides logistical support to aggregators and distributors of local foods, often referred to as food hubs. Furthermore, it encourages coordination among these food hubs to improve regional supply and distribution networks. This comprehensive approach aims to create a more robust and resilient local food system, benefiting both producers and consumers.
Focusing on business assistance tailored to the unique needs and opportunities of small farms that supply local food markets is considered an important aspect of rural economic development. This investment is recognized as crucial for enabling small farms in the region to play a substantial role in revitalizing their rural communities and building greater food supply resilience.
Addressing the Impact of Federal Funding Shifts
The grant from the Patterson Family Foundation comes into sharper focus when considering the broader context of federal funding for rural development. Nationwide, federal funding uncertainties have impacted rural communities, leading to concerns about the cancellation of programs and projects that benefit rural residents. Historically, programs providing grants for local economic development, rural broadband, community facilities, and entrepreneurial support have faced proposed cuts.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, for instance, has historically provided billions of dollars each year to small towns, farmers, and businesses Nationwide. However, this agency has experienced significant staffing reductions, losing approximately 36% of its staff since January 2025 Nationwide. Such reductions can impede the agency’s ability to deliver critical programs that rural communities depend on. In this environment, private initiatives like the Patterson Family Foundation’s grant become increasingly essential for sustaining and promoting Midlands economic growth and the resilience of Kansas City MO business partners in rural areas.
Building a Resilient Future for Missouri’s Rural Economy
This infusion of private capital into the rural food and farm sector serves as a testament to the power of localized, proactive solutions in fostering economic vitality. By directly supporting Missouri MO entrepreneurs and small businesses, the grant helps cultivate an environment where innovation can thrive even when traditional funding sources face challenges. It empowers individuals and communities to take ownership of their economic future, demonstrating that resilience often comes from within and through strategic partnerships.
The efforts of organizations like New Growth, supported by philanthropic foundations, are vital for ensuring that rural communities not only survive but also flourish. This model of localized support for small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures helps create jobs, strengthens local economies, and builds a more self-reliant region.
The $2.15 million grant to New Growth represents a significant step forward in bolstering rural economies in Kansas and western Missouri. By focusing on entrepreneurial innovation and strengthening local food systems, this initiative provides a robust framework for sustainable growth. Readers are encouraged to explore and support the local food and farm businesses within Kansas City and the wider Missouri region, and to stay engaged in the ongoing efforts to cultivate a thriving and resilient economic future for our communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the $2.15 million grant?
The purpose of the $2.15 million grant is to boost food work in Kansas and western Missouri, fostering entrepreneurship, enriching local food systems, expanding child-care access, and sustaining a volunteer driver network in small communities.
Who provided the $2.15 million grant?
The $2.15 million grant was provided by the Patterson Family Foundation.
Which organization received the grant?
New Growth, a nonprofit rural community development corporation based in Appleton City, Missouri, received the grant.
What specific activities will the grant fund for food and farm businesses?
The grant will fund business training workshops; one-on-one business coaching and technical assistance, including market connections; business expansion grants to food and farm entrepreneurs; logistical support to aggregators and distributors of local foods (food hubs); and coordination among food hubs for greater regional supply and distribution.
Why is this grant particularly significant?
This grant is particularly significant because it supports New Growth’s continued work after the USDA recently cut funding for the Heartland Regional Food Business Center.
What is the geographic scope of the grant’s impact?
The grant is expected to boost food work in Kansas and western Missouri, strengthening businesses rooted in small communities.
Key Features of the Rural Economic Development Grant
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
| Grant Amount | $2.15 million | Regional |
| Funding Source | Patterson Family Foundation | Regional |
| Recipient Organization | New Growth (Appleton City, Missouri) | State-level |
| Geographic Focus | Kansas and western Missouri | Regional |
| Grant Duration | Two-year | Regional |
| Primary Goal | Boost food work, foster entrepreneurship, enrich local food systems, expand child-care access, and sustain a volunteer driver network | Regional |
| Context | Addresses gap after federal cuts to Heartland Regional Food Business Center | Regional (Impact of Nationwide policy) |
| Allocated for Enterprise Grants | $1 million | Regional |
| Examples of Supported Activities | Business training, coaching, expansion grants, logistical support for food hubs | Regional |
| Impact of Federal Cuts (General) | Disruptions and staff reductions to rural development programs | Nationwide |
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