Rebecca Price turned her passion for dogs into Dalmatia BnB—a thriving rural business with a big heart and a bigger mission. With support from New Growth, her work now reaches far beyond boarding and training to strengthen her entire community.

Jane’s shop looked like a success—steady sales, happy customers, and a growing reputation. But when a big opportunity came along, the quiet lack of financial preparedness and early guidance didn’t seem to hold her back—only she had no idea that it did.

Turning your passion for growing food into a business? With mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities available through New Growth and its partners, beginning farmers can get hands-on experience, avoid common missteps, and grow with confidence—on their own schedule and terms.

Starting a business is no small feat, especially when you're navigating it all on your own. For Samantha Richter, the New Growth Women’s Business Center provided the support and guidance she needed to find her footing and build Preventive Foot Care, LLC from the ground up.

For Melissa Ginther of Ruthie Mae Blooms, finding New Growth meant finding the connections, resources, and community support she needed to turn challenges into opportunities that cultivate long-term success.

The 2025 Farm to Fork Summit and Expo was a huge success, bringing together over 170 people to celebrate and strengthen local food connections. See the listing of local contributors to the food value chain who attended and are helping build a resilient regional food system.

Choosing the right legal structure for your business is a crucial step that impacts everything from liability to growth potential. In a recent webinar, New Growth Women's Business Center presents expert information from the MU Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic to break down different business structures and walk us through the process of setting up an LLC in Missouri

When Makeesha Munro and her partner started Root 54 Farm near Collins, Mo, they faced the challenges of learning mushroom cultivation and finding a market for their products. With support from New Growth, they gained mentorship, refined their process, and built connections that helped their farm thrive—now, Makeesha is sharing her knowledge at the Farm to Fork Summit on March 7, 2025

The Farm to Fork Summit isn’t just serving up knowledge—it’s serving up a farm-fresh meal that celebrates Missouri’s local food system. With ingredients sourced from numerous local farms and food producers, small food businesses, and representing over 9 rural communities, this year’s menu highlights the power of local food in strengthening rural economies while delivering a delicious experience for attendees.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing over half a million visitors to Kansas City, but with hotels expected to reach capacity, travelers will be looking for places to stay and explore up to 2.5 hours away—right in our region. With the Route 66 Centennial Festival and Branson attractions drawing tourists south, now is the time for rural businesses and communities to prepare for this once-in-a-generation economic opportunity.

With support from New Growth, Tyler Throckmorton launched We the People Cattle Company in Lincoln, Missouri, and later pivoted to create We the People Pets, a business that supports the community, promotes local partnerships, and addresses challenges in the raw pet food market. His efforts also fund mentorship programs for fatherless boys, highlighting the transformative impact of empowering rural entrepreneurs.

As host of the award-winning podcast Just Grow Something and owner of Wolf Creek Family Farm in Peculiar, Missouri, Karin brings expertise and inspiration to the Farm to Fork Summit to help small farmers succeed. Don’t miss her keynote on income diversification and breakout on making the most at farmers markets!