Empowering the local farm and food entrepreneurs needed to make local food an easy choice for individuals, schools, grocers, and restaurants is the focus of the 7th annual Farm to Fork Summit taking place on March 7 in Nevada, MO

Applications close January 8, 2025. Register today for the December 19 webinar on this Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program!

We're thrilled to announce national egg brand Vital Farms has recently invested $25,000 to support New Growth’s efforts to strengthen local food systems and grow food and farm businesses in rural Missouri. This partnership highlights the shared commitment to sustainable family farming and underscores the importance of initiatives like the upcoming Farm to Fork Summit in March.

From building a high tunnel to touring different structures and learning innovative techniques from experts like Curtis Millsap and Jason Hirtz, the day was packed with practical knowledge, inspiring conversations, and a sense of true community.

The Heartland Regional Food Business Center received an incredible 479 applications for the first round of our Business Builder grant, aimed at helping small and midsize food and farm businesses expand and thrive. This strong response highlights the demand for resources that support local food entrepreneurs across our five-state region!

After encountering a financial hurdle, a $10,000 microloan from New Growth gave Levi from Amsterdam, Missouri, the boost he needed to purchase the equipment to start his drone business and succeed!

USDA and the Heartland Regional Food Business Center Make Available Over $3.7 Million to Farm and Food Businesses in First Round of Business Builder Grants. El USDA y el Heartland Regional Food Business Center ponen a disposición de las empresas agrícolas y alimentarias más de 3,7 millones de dólares en la primera ronda de subvenciones para la creación de empresas

What is Technical Assistance? At New Growth, we believe that thriving local businesses are the cornerstone of strong communities. Whether you’re a farm-based entrepreneur or running a non-farm business, having the right support at the right time can make all the difference in your journey to success.

We're excited to share that the Heartland Regional Food Business Center has been featured in an article by KCUR NPR in Kansas City! New Growth is a co-director along with University of Nebraska Lincoln for the Heartland Center.

Eisenhower Fellowship takes New Growth leader abroad to tour and learn innovative things China is doing to ensure a vibrant food system

They knew selling beef directly to neighbors and other people was possible, but the connections made through New Growth connected them with buyers they might not have thought of on their own.

New Growth works with entrepreneurs to pursue growing demand for food that does not travel thousands of miles from farm to plate. Though our partnership with the new five-state Heartland Food Business Center, we can provide industry specific support to food and farm entrepreneurs.