Programs Assisting Small Farms
- Agriculture Business Development Division
- The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority
- Plant Industries Division
- Weights and Measures Division
- Animal Health Division
- Grape and Wine Industry
- Grain Inspection and Warehousing Division
Agriculture Business Development Division
From idea to implementation, the Agriculture Business Development Division, housed in the Missouri Department of Agriculture, can help you start or expand your agriculture-related business. Call us at (866) 466-8283.
The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority
Missouri Value-Added Grant Program
The purpose of the program is to provide grants for projects that aid in the
economic development of Missouri’s rural communities by adding value to
agricultural products through the development, processing and marketing of new
or expanded uses for products. The grants are intended to be used for activities
prior to business start-up or expansion, such as feasibility studies and marketing
or business plans.
Missouri Value-Added Loan Guarantee
Program
The program provides up to a 50% first-loss guarantee on loans not to exceed
$250,000 that lenders make for the purpose of an agricultural business development
loan. These loans will benefit Missouri’s farmers through the creation
of value-added agricultural products by creating new uses, new markets or further
processing of these agricultural products or assist in developing farmer-owned
cooperatives for further processing of agricultural products. Land, building
and equipment may be guaranteed as well as the purchase of stock in farmer-owned
cooperatives involved in processing agricultural products. Borrowers qualifying
for this loan may also qualify for the MISSOURI FIRST Linked Deposit Program
with the state treasurer’s office.
Beginning Farmer Loan Program
The program helps beginning farmers in Missouri acquire agricultural property
at reduced interest rates. Through the issuance of “Aggie Bonds,” lenders
receive a federal and state tax-exemption on interest earned on loans made to
beginning farmers. The tax savings are passed on to beginning farmers in the
form of lower interest rates.
Single-Purpose Animal Facilities
Loan Guarantee Program
The Single-Purpose Animal Facilities Loan Guarantee Program provides a 50 percent
first-loss guarantee on loans up to $250,000 that banks and other lenders may
make to independent livestock or earthworm producers. Borrowers qualifying for
this loan may also qualify for the MISSOURI FIRST Linked Deposit Program with
the state treasurers’ office.
Animal Waste Treatment System Loan
Program
Through this program, independent livestock and poultry producers can finance
waste treatment systems at below conventional interest rates (currently 5.6%
fixed interest). Loans may be made only to livestock operations with less than
1,000 animal units. Processors or collectors of animal waste or dead animals
may also qualify for a loan if their operation does not require a point source
permit from the Department of Natural Resources.
For more information on these programs, call (573) 751-2129.
Market Information and Outreach Program
Market News Service
Small farmers need an unbiased, reliable, accurate and timely source for agriculture
market news to remain competitive and assist them in making wise and profitable
marketing decisions. Our market news service guides producers in production planning
and provides a more even playing field in the marketplace. To reach more customers
with up-to-date market information, we publish daily livestock and grain market
reports on the Internet and publish a Weekly Market Summary.
Contact our Market News Editor.
Agricultural Commodity Groups
Many small farmers have a voice in our agriculture industry through membership
in a commodity organization. We recognize 52 established commodity groups in
the state and provide them with marketing and promotional assistance.
Contact our Market Information and Outreach Manager.
Outreach and Education
The Outreach Program is involved in various activities designed to educate farmers
and consumers about agricultural production and marketing as well as the department’s
services. Examples of these activities include the Missouri Youth Livestock Grading
and Judging Contest and activities at the Missouri State Fair including AgCitement
and the Livestock Carcass Shows. We also exhibit at numerous agricultural trade
shows and fairs.
In addition, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy helps to educate and prepare Missouri youth for careers in rural Missouri and agribusiness.
Livestock Quality and Marketing Assistance
The program works to educate producers about opportunities to improve overall quality of livestock in Missouri, and works with partners to educate producers about the importance and value of livestock quality. Producers have the opportunity to participate in programs such as the Show-Me-Select Heifer program and value-added calf programs.
The division educates producers about livestock marketing opportunities adding value to livestock. The division facilitates value-added sales by providing professional USDA grading services.Contact our Market Information and Outreach Manager.
Aquaculture
More than 75% of the aquaculture enterprises in Missouri can be considered as
small farm operations. We provide small farmers with production and technical
information. We also assist with planning the Missouri Aquaculture Association
Annual Conference, which provides current information on starting an aquaculture
operation, water quality management and marketing aquaculture products. We help
people who are willing to invest the work and capital needed to be successful
to locate fish farms for sale or establish new operations. We also help small
farmers diversify by including aquaculture as part of their farming operation.
Markets are available for Missouri-grown, high quality catfish fillets, and regional
fish processing is being developed that will enable Missouri producers to penetrate
these markets. Markets are also good for trout, tilapia, perch, hybrid striped
bass, bluegill fillets. More competition exists among producers for fingerlings
for pond stocking, baitfish and ornamental fish. Although markets for these products
and services are tight, these operations can still be successful with the proper
marketing strategy.
Contact our Aquaculture Specialist.
Specialty Crops
Many specialty crops are grown on small farms. We strive to offer alternatives
to traditional crops grown in the state, and in many cases, with less land and
capital intensive methods than those traditional crops. This may allow young
farmers to start in agriculture or allow another generation to come back to the
farm. We promote exports of specialty and identity-preserved crops, which provides
small farmers the opportunity to diversify their production. Furthermore, many
specialty and identity-preserved crops are contract-grown, providing a more secure
source of income than regular varieties of crops.
For more information, contact: Mark.Murphy@mda.mo.gov.
International Marketing
The export assistance we provide to Missouri producers, farmers and agribusinesses
often does not directly touch small farmers, but there is a trickle-down effect.
For example, we provide export assistance to a Missouri grower, contractor and
processor of popcorn. Our assistance has led to popcorn exports, which benefits
the owners, employees and contract farmers (many of whom are small farmers).
We provide assistance to Missouri producers to export lumber. Much of
the lumber Missouri exports originates from small farms. By promoting exports
of forest products, we increase the demand and the price paid for standing
timber. This helps small farms by diversifying their sources of income
and enabling them to earn income from land, which is not suited for other
types of agriculture. Large and small farmers benefit from the assistance
we provide grain companies in expanding markets, primarily in Mexico.
Contact our International Marketing
Specialist for information on exporting lumber and grains.
We directly assist purebred swine producers, purebred beef cattle producers,
purebred sheep producers, horse producers and replacement dairy cattle
producers with export sales. In addition, we cooperate with brokers to
increase exports of Missouri livestock.
Contact our International Marketing
Specialist for information on exporting livestock.
We provide assistance in exporting feed ingredients. Increased demand
for feed ingredients increases the total value of the raw materials used
to make such ingredients. In many cases, the feed ingredients are made
from animal by-products, such as offal, blood, bone, feathers or whey.
Increasing the value of such by-products, increases the price paid to small
farmers for their livestock.
Contact our International Marketing
Specialist for information on exporting feed ingredients.
Since U.S. agriculture produces far more than we can consume domestically,
it is necessary to promote and maintain exports - failure to do so results
in lower prices and lower income for all producers. This can be especially
important for small farmers, who may be less able to withstand drastic
drops in income for long periods of low prices.
Contact our International Program Manager.
Value-Added
There is a growing recognition among small farmers that if they are to boost
their economic returns from farming, they need to find ways to earn a greater
share of the consumer dollar by adding value to their own products. These strategies
can include farmer-owned cooperatives and other business ventures for the purpose
of value-added processing, production and marketing of crops and livestock.
Our AgriMissouri Programprovides niche markets
for small farmers and opportunities to add value to their
products. We also provide financial assistance to small farmers/companies to
promote and market their products.
Contact AgriMissouri Program Coordinator.
Marketing Cooperatives
Cooperatives can be a way for small farmers to gain economic strength by pooling
resources, marketing and buying in larger quantities, and increasing their bargaining
power. We provide assistance to small farmers by answering their questions about
how to form a cooperative, alliance, or other collective activity. They are provided
the basic principles and state regulations, as well as more complex information
relative to equity issues, board structure, tax implications and marketing strategies.
We also provide export assistance to farmer-owned cooperatives.
Contact our Domestic Program Manager.
Our viticulture and enology advisory program provides professional consultation
to existing and prospective grape growers and wine makers. The sale of
Missouri wine is increasing, but grape production is not keeping pace with
demand. A grape grower incentive was first offered four years ago, and
continues to help small farmers and wineries defray some of the cost on
new grape acres planted. The momentum of the present growth in wine sales
and the tremendous potential for increased production of grapes and wine
should be capitalized in order to increase employment and profits in agriculture
and tourism.
Contact our Wine & Grape Board
Coordinator.
Fruits and Vegetables
We assist communities in organizing farmers’ markets. There are more than
110 farmers’ markets in the state. We also serve as a source for production
and marketing information for food circles, small fruit growers, peach growers,
apple growers and vegetable growers.
Contact our Horticulture Marketing
Specialist.
Forage
Missouri was the first state to install a hay hot line in 1988, which provides
the state’s small farmers with a direct link to sell or buy hay.
Contact our Livestock & Forage
Marketing Specialist.
Financial Assistance
We help vocational agriculture instructors, University Extension specialists,
4-H leaders and banking personnel identify and assist small farm producers and
rural youth. Financial assistance is provided in the form of agriculture scholarships,
youth crop and livestock loans and alternative production loans.
Contact our Missouri Agriculture
and Small Business Development Authority.
For more information contact the Agriculture Business Development Division.
Publications
The Agriculture Business Development Division provides several web-based
publications to help small farmers market their products: