COVID-19 Relief Funding Available for Kansas and Missouri Family Farmers
July 6th Update: The second application round has closed. Please check back after July 20 to learn if there will be a third round.
Family farmers in Kansas and Missouri can now access much-needed relief from the economic impacts of COVID-19. Farm Aid has partnered with the Kansas Farmers Union Foundation and Missouri Farmers Union to distribute emergency relief grants to help farmers meet household expenses. Families who rely on farming for their income, live in Kansas or Missouri, and are experiencing hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic are encouraged to complete an application.
There is an initial June 15 deadline to apply for a Farm Aid COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative grant and limited funding is available. The application process may reopen if funding remains following the June grant review meeting. Applications will be reviewed by a team of representatives from Kansas Farmers Union, Missouri Farmers Union, Common Ground Producers, Cultivate KC, Kansas Black Farmers Association, and the Kansas Rural Center.
Approval is based on the applicant qualifying as a family farm and demonstrating economic loss. Priority is given to smaller farms that may not have the required data needed to apply for USDA or other federal programs.
Applications are available online at kansasfarmersunion.com/apply/.
Applications can also be completed by phone. Email dteske@nfudc.org or call 785-770-0336 to set up a phone interview. Mail-in applications can be downloaded at kansasfarmersunion.com/farm-aid-guidelines/, and then emailed to Mercedes Taylor-Puckett or printed and mailed to Kansas Farmers Union Foundation, 4377 Wallace Rd, McLouth KS 66054.
Donations to support these efforts can be made to the KFUF COVID-19 Relief Fund at kansasfarmersunion.com/donate-covid-19-relief-fund/ and Farm Aid’s COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative Fund at https://give.farmaid.org/give/.
Kansas Farmers Union is the state’s oldest active general farm organization working to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. We believe family ownership of farm land is the basis for the world’s most viable system of food production. Maintaining this family farm system will preserve our natural and human resources as well as promote a strong rural economy and vibrant social structure.
The Kansas Farmers Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization supporting education on rural and agricultural issues and providing resources for rural economic and cooperative development. Through the KFU Foundation, Kansas Farmers Union brings important educational and networking opportunities to all Kansans.
Farm Aid has committed $400,000 to launch a national COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative, working with more than 100 local, state and regional organizations across the country to pair immediate relief efforts with longer-term resilience strategies. Learn more about the initiative at farmaid.org/blog/farm-aid-launches-farmer-resilience-initiative-in-response-to-covid-19/.Farm Aid is proud to invest in our farm and food system, from farm to plate, and take care of the farmers and ranchers who are providing essential services by feeding their communities.
Farm Aid works year-round to build a system of agriculture that values family farmers, good food, soil and water, and strong communities. Its annual concert celebrates farmers, eaters and music coming together for change.
COVID-19 Relief Funding Available for Kansas and Missouri Family Farmers
Family farmers in Kansas and Missouri can now access much-needed relief from the economic impacts of COVID-19. Farm Aid has partnered with the Kansas Farmers Union Foundation and Missouri Farmers Union to distribute emergency relief grants to help farmers meet household expenses. Families who rely on farming for their income, live in Kansas or Missouri, and are experiencing hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic are encouraged to complete an application.
There is an initial June 15 deadline to apply for a Farm Aid COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative grant and limited funding is available. The application process may reopen if funding remains following the June grant review meeting. Applications will be reviewed by a team of representatives from Kansas Farmers Union, Missouri Farmers Union, Common Ground Producers, Cultivate KC, Kansas Black Farmers Association, and the Kansas Rural Center.
Approval is based on the applicant qualifying as a family farm and demonstrating economic loss. Priority is given to smaller farms that may not have the required data needed to apply for USDA or other federal programs.
Applications are available online at kansasfarmersunion.com/apply/.
Applications can also be completed by phone. Email dteske@nfudc.org or call 785-770-0336 to set up a phone interview. Mail-in applications can be downloaded at kansasfarmersunion.com/farm-aid-guidelines/, and then emailed to Mercedes Taylor-Puckett or printed and mailed to Kansas Farmers Union Foundation, 4377 Wallace Rd, McLouth KS 66054.
Donations to support these efforts can be made to the KFUF COVID-19 Relief Fund at kansasfarmersunion.com/donate-covid-19-relief-fund/ and Farm Aid’s COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative Fund at https://give.farmaid.org/give/.
Kansas Farmers Union is the state’s oldest active general farm organization working to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. We believe family ownership of farm land is the basis for the world’s most viable system of food production. Maintaining this family farm system will preserve our natural and human resources as well as promote a strong rural economy and vibrant social structure.
The Kansas Farmers Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization supporting education on rural and agricultural issues and providing resources for rural economic and cooperative development. Through the KFU Foundation, Kansas Farmers Union brings important educational and networking opportunities to all Kansans.
Farm Aid has committed $400,000 to launch a national COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative, working with more than 100 local, state and regional organizations across the country to pair immediate relief efforts with longer-term resilience strategies. Learn more about the initiative at farmaid.org/blog/farm-aid-launches-farmer-resilience-initiative-in-response-to-covid-19/.Farm Aid is proud to invest in our farm and food system, from farm to plate, and take care of the farmers and ranchers who are providing essential services by feeding their communities.
Farm Aid works year-round to build a system of agriculture that values family farmers, good food, soil and water, and strong communities. Its annual concert celebrates farmers, eaters and music coming together for change.
For Farmers
Family farmers who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis and have suffered hardship as a result are eligible to apply. Funds are reserved for farms that have the highest need, as well as smaller farms that may not have the data needed to apply for USDA or other federal programs.
Successful applicants will receive a one-time $500 emergency relief payment.
The second application window closed on July 5. If funds remain after the review committee meeting, applications will be accepted in a third round.
For Family Farm Supporters
The coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted market channels, and disrupted the lives and livelihoods of Kansas’ small family farmers. Not only have restaurant closures and changes in food distribution disrupted and harmed these farmers, but so have everyday hardships, as these small farmers and their families already function on very tight margins.
Most family farms haven’t or are unlikely to receive other forms of assistance and are falling through the cracks of state and federal stimulus efforts.
You can support family farmers by purchasing directly from them – check ‘Buy Local’ guides and Facebook groups like Shop Kansas Farms – and by shopping at farmers markets.
And if you are able, please consider DONATING to the KFUF COVID-19 Relief Fund!
