Cultivate KC Awards First Round of Micro Grant Funding

As a part of Cultivate KC’s Metro Farms and Food Systems program, we are proud to announce that we were able to issue a round of Micro Grants via our cooperative agreement with T.I.M.E. Inc and the Farm Service Agency. These grants were specifically designed to help producers complete projects for which they might otherwise struggle to fund. Eligible projects included land access, production expansion, infrastructure upgrades, improved efficiency, education and training, and projects that increase farmer services such as: community greenhouses, equipment rentals, or farmer co-ops.

We were able to distribute nearly $50,000 in grant funding to 11 awardees from both sides of the state line. Here’s a breakdown of the projects selected for funding:

Fresh Green Farm

Fresh Green Farm’s project focused on expansion of their baby greens and lettuce production through the middle of the summer. They also received funding to start cool season crops in the late Summer instead of wait until Fall. This received hoops and shade cloth to protect the plants and extend seasons from sun and pests.

 

Young Family Farm

Young Family Farm received funding to purchase tools to improve on farm efficiency. They were able to purchase a tee post driver to speed up installation of approximately of approximately 300 tee posts annually, as well as cut down on the physical labor required for the installation of these posts. They were also able to purchase a tilther for the missing of compost and soil amendments into beds and a seeder to decrease the time necessary for seeding beds.

KC Urban Farm Co-op

KC Urban Farm Coop was funded to create a 12 bed organic raised garden space for the community to grow, learn, and harvest fresh produce. They will use these garden spaces to grow high-value crops that are well suited for out climate. These crops will be distributed during their U-pick days to offer the community a chance to “be outside, away from screens, learning how food grows and where it comes from.”

 

Ophelia’s Blue Vine Farm

Ophelia’s Blue Vine Farm was funded to upgrade their greenhouse to increase year-round production capabilities. Improved production will result in more fresh produce for the farm’s various end markets, including their CSA (community supported agriculture) program, farmers market, and their program for providing food for low income neighborhoods and those facing food insecurity. It is estimated that improvements will increase yield in the greenhouse by 20-30%. These upgrades will “improve insulation, extend the growing season, and lower energy costs, creating a more efficient and sustainable system for growing fresh food in Kansas City’s 18th & Vine District.”

 

The Garden at Dogwood Forest

Farmer Rick Mareske was funded to improve and replace parts of his high tunnel at The Garden at Dogwood Forest that have been battered by wind. This will allow him to continue successfully growing figs, strawberries, lavender, lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, cucumbers and greens for distribution through the Rolling Prairie CSA program. Repairs would also allow him to cut down on weeds and experiment with growing raspberries in grow bags inside the high tunnel, which can lengthen the production window for raspberries (a crop with a notoriously short shelf life) by at least a month.

 

Myco Planet

Myco Planet specializes in indoor mushroom production. They were funded to streamline and expand their production by purchasing an autoclave and other tools for sterilization and tools necessary to produce their own liquid culture and spawn on site. These upgrades will increase production as well as make the farm “more self-sufficient and resilient in the face of supply chain issues like shipping delays or limited spawn availability.”

 

Sugar Creek Community Garden

Sugar Creek Community Garden was founded in 2014 by a citizen volunteer group. They grow a variety of crops, including cucumbers, tomatoes, greens, lettuces, peppers, beans, onions, beets , cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, melons, herbs, asparagus, squash, eggplant, brussel sprouts and flowers. They were funded to replace their aging raised beds. Installing new beds with weed barrier to ensure easily long term maintenance and weed control. Many of the community gardeners involved live in apartments, so the community garden represents their sole access to space necessary for growing their own food. Additionally, a third of the produce grown in the garden is donated to food banks and senior feeding programs.

 

Manheim Paseo Learning Garden

Manheim Paseo Learning Garden received funding to build a farm stand that doubles as a rainwater catchment lean-to for an IBC tote, install 4 additional metal raised beds with soil, add fencing, cattle panels, cinder blocks, bamboo hoops, harvest crates and attend a professional conference. These investments will increase production, improve their visibility, and improve their ability to distribute food to the community.

Global One Urban Farming

Global One Urban Farming distributes produce to seniors, veterans, and low income families. They received funding for purchasing seeds and seedlings for high demand crops like leafy greens, tomatoes, and peppers. The investment in their program will result in an estimated 25-30% increase in production. This increase in vital to meet the growing demand for local, fresh, healthy produce from the populations the farm serves.

Kayah Family Farm

Kayah Family Farm is a for profit farm in Kansas City, KS. They received funding to construct a washstand and gazebo for post-harvest preparation of their produce. They are currently washing all their produce in their home kitchen, so the wash stand will greatly improve the efficiency of their farm business.

 

Urban Green Dreams

Urban Green Dreams supports schoolyard gardens at several elementary schools in KCMO. Their funding will assist in purchasing new raised beds at several of their partner schools. These new modular beds are significant upgrades to the existing wooden beds in terms of both durability and the ability for them to be disassembled and moved to a different schoolyard garden if need be. These new garden beds will assist Urban Green Dreams in increasing participation from students, teachers, and staff.