Beginning Farmers Program Partners
At the heart of New Growth’s Food Systems work is a simple truth: strong farms mean strong communities. Farmers and farmland are the lifelines of rural Missouri and Kansas. Yet for those just starting out—farmers and ranchers with less than ten years of experience—the path forward can feel steep. That’s why the New Growth Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program (BFRDP) is here: to ensure that new farm entrepreneurs don’t have to walk that road alone.
Who is the program for?
- Beginning farmers and ranchers with fewer than 10 years of operating experience in Missouri or Kansas
- Experienced farmers who want to give back as mentors or host farms offering apprenticeships
What the Beginning Farmers Program Offers
The BFRDP connects beginning farmers with mentorship, business guidance, and access to resources that help them succeed more quickly than they could on their own. By tapping into the experience of established farmers and the expertise of partner organizations, participants gain the tools to start strong and build lasting operations.
But the impact goes beyond individual farms. When new farmers thrive, rural economies grow stronger, communities gain access to more fresh food, and the agricultural landscape becomes more resilient.
Powered by Partnerships
The program’s strength lies in collaboration. Through BFRDP, New Growth works alongside a network of dedicated organizations across Missouri and Kansas to ensure farmers get the support they need.
- 🥕 The Kansas City Food Hub – A farmer-owned cooperative that opens resilient market channels for beginning farmers while expanding community access to fresh, local food. Contact: Thomas Smith at thomas.smith@thekcfoodhub.com
- 🌾 The Food Circle – Boosts visibility and connections through online directories and the annual Eat Local & Organic Expo, helping farmers establish lasting customer relationships. Contact: claire.thefoodcircle@gmail.comor rachael.thefoodcircle@gmail.com
- 🌱 Cultivate Kansas City – Provides one-on-one land access assistance for growers in the KC metro and brings farmers and supporters together through the Annual Farmers & Friends Meeting. Contact: Eric Hemphill at eric@cultivatekc.org
- 🌾 Kansas Rural Center – Trains the next generation of sustainable farmers with courses like Farm Beginnings, Farm Dreams, and workshops on whole farm management. Contact: Ryan Goertzen-Regier at ryangr@kansasruralcenter.org
- 🌱 Growing Growers – Offers hands-on farm apprenticeships, online coursework, and workshops, while also promoting mentorship programs, scholarships, and climate-smart farming resources. Contact: Courtney Woodworth or Clair Barnhart at growers@ksu.edu
- 🌿New Growth – Coordinates farmer-to-farmer networking, business planning support, and resource navigation—and hosts the Farm to Fork Summit & Expo. Contact: Katie Nixon at info@newgrowthmo.org
Together, these partners bring a full spectrum of opportunities—practical training, technical assistance, marketing connections, and community-building events—that new farmers need to grow.
Building the Future of Farming
The challenges facing agriculture today—land access and market barriers—are real. But so are the opportunities. With the right tools, networks, and the guidance of experienced farmers serving as mentors and hosts, beginning farmers in Missouri and Kansas can step into these challenges prepared, supported, and connected.
Through the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program, New Growth and its partners are investing in the future of local food systems, rural economies, and resilient communities. Because when farmers grow, we all grow.
Ready to take the next step? Access New Growth Beginning Farmers & Ranchers Development Program mentorship opportunities, mini-scholarships, business assistance, and practical wholesale business videos at: www.newgrowthmo.org/food-agriculture#beginning-farmers
Download this printable flyer about all the BFRDP partner organizations.
