Summer Lettuce Project at JGTF
2024 Mini-Grants Overview
As a part of Cultivate KC’s Metro Farms and Food Systems Program, we are delighted to award Get Farming Mini Grants to qualifying urban farmers. These grants are specifically designed to help farmers complete projects for which it may otherwise be difficult to obtain funding. Selected farmers are awarded between $500 and $3500. This year we were proud to be able to fully or partially fund 15 urban farming projects. Special thanks to our funders, American Farmland Trust, Cargill, Inc., and The Hall Family Foundation, for donating a total of $44,000 in grant funds this year.
Here’s a breakdown of the projects that received funding this year:
KC Peniel Garden – Farm Landscape Fabric
Bawi Hmung farmed for 10 years in Myanmar before moving to Kansas City and getting involved in New Roots in 2016. Bawi now farms on his own land in Kansas City, Kansas. This grant will help him purchase landscape fabric which will reduce pest and weed pressures, helping him grow higher quality produce with less time investment.
Atomic Microgreens Farm – Atomic Micro-expansion
Chris Horne has been growing food for his family for over 10 years but wanted to expand and feed more people. In his application he stated “Urban gardening is important because food is health”. Chris has a passion for nutrient dense, mineralized food and hopes to continue feeding his community with the expansion made possible through this grant. He stated, “I’m very excited to be granted this opportunity and will make sure I take full advantage of it.”
Kansas City Urban Farm Cooperative – Sustainable Orchard Maintenance Initiative
The KC Urban Farm Cooperative (KCUFC) is a role model for community engagement and involvement, hosting volunteer days, community events, and giving away fresh produce to community members. This grant will help KCUFC to purchase a riding lawnmower and adequate storage so that they can independently maintain their land. As explained by the applicant Darrian Davis, this equipment will foster sustainability and self-sufficiency for their cooperative.
The owners of Mavuno Farm, Eugenie and Kagoma, have been growing culturally relevant and rare African produce in the KC area for 10 years. They will use their grant funds for purchasing a tiller. These two farm across multiple pieces of land and have been exclusively using hand tools so far, which are time consuming and physically draining.
Somali Bantu Community Garden – Somali Bantu Farm Improvements
The Somali Bantu Community Garden started in 2014 and has been important for the entire community because the Somali Bantu people are historically farmers. Currently, they engage 11 families, feeding around 100 people on just one acre. With their awarded grant funds, the Somali Bantu Garden will purchase a tiller and push mower which will ensure sustained ability to break ground as the garden managers progress in age. READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT HERE.
Ruby Jean’s Garden (a new endeavor from Ruby Jean’s Juicery) will prioritize serving Kansas City’s East side, offering produce at an affordable price to local residents. Marissa Williams, with the help of Master Gardener Philip Ramsey, will use Mini Grant funds to facilitate mulch spreading, weed suppression, purchase equipment, such as wheelbarrows, and establish secure storage. Through these expansions, they estimate a 25-30% increase in food production.
The Buffalo Seed Company – Building Soil Through Cover Cropping
Dr. Matthew and Nancy Kost have been running Buffalo Seed Company in Northeast Kansas since 2018, to address the lack of regionally grown and adapted seeds in the Midwest. It’s their desire to expand their farmland onto the less productive areas of their property. To do this, they require heavier machinery. They will use their Mini Grant funds to help purchase a used tractor.
Bell Crossing Farm – Project Farm Foundation
Olivia Moore operates Bell Crossing Farm which regeneratively produces timber, honey, exhibition poultry, livestock, and seeds. This farm, located in a region of historically African American rural agriculture has undergone land access difficulties on their third-generation farm. Our Mini Grant funds will be used to secure surveys and sovereignty on this generational farm. Olivia reached out and expressed her gratitude saying, “On behalf of Bell Crossing Farm LLC, we truly appreciate your commitment to small businesses like ours and thank you for believing in our work!”
MyCo Planet LLC – MyCo Planet Permanent Lab Construction
Robin Moore has owned and operated MyCo Planet for 4 years, starting in 2021. It’s her dream to be one of the best local sources of mushrooms, thereby cutting down on the high costs associated with transportation of mushrooms. They need a permanent lab so that they can increase their yields in a sustainable way. This Mini Grant will help them do that. Robin said, “We are beyond excited and can’t wait to get started.”
Sankara Farm is a 27-acre, Black Family-owned farm. They sell a variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs, with an emphasis on agroecology and food justice. Before they can resume diversified vegetable production, they need to address the deer pest issue on their farm. With the provided mini grant funds, they will be able to construct a deer fence and continue farming with less risk of deer damage.
Sandra Machin Suarez’s farm has grown in size naturally over the past 5 years. They started growing just hydroponic vegetables but quickly branched out into raised beds, season extension, flowers, and fruit. The next area of growth for Maple Creek Farm will be fruit trees along the creek on her property. These fruit trees will not only provide fresh fruit for the area but would also help reduce soil erosion along the creek bed.
Shafeeqa Small, originally from San Antonio, TX, has traveled around many different urban agriculture environments. In total, she has been farming for around 35 years and believes in the strong connections between urban farming and restoring health. With equipment purchased through the mini grant program, Shafeeqa will be able to host courses for those interested in holistic beekeeping.
Stephanie Freeman’s garden focuses on growing microgreens, microherbs, and edible flowers. She believes strongly in food sovereignty and a decreased reliance on industrial food systems. For this reason, she has begun growing nutrient dense greens that can be harvested frequently, year-round. She will be using mini grant funds to purchase infrastructure improvements and expansions for her system.
Kayah Family Farm – Hydrant Install and 3-bin Sink
Taw Meh Gaw is another New Roots graduate, originally from Burma. She grows vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits selling them both through a CSA and at several farmers markets. She and her family recently purchased a home with acreage, but she has struggled with limited water access. This funding will help her install a hose bib and purchase a 3 – compartment sink for vegetable cleaning and processing.
Maria has been farming since 1988 and is also a graduate of the New Roots program. She grows vegetables, flowers, blackberries, and culturally relevant foods on 4.3 acres in KCK. Farming has been her way of feeding her family and community with fresh, organically grown produce. Maria will use grant funds to purchase a BCS walk behind tractor and tiller attachment. This will enable her to expand her business and cultivate self-reliance on her farm. Eventually she hopes to purchase a rotary plow and flail mower.
