JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today [January 6, 2022], the Missouri Department of Agriculture announced funding for the Farmers’ Market Promotion Matching Grant Program through Missouri Grown. The grant awards up to $1,000 for reimbursement of expenses associated with promoting Missouri’s farmers’ markets.

This competitive grant program will provide funds to farmers’ markets for promotional pieces that provide awareness to communities about the farmers’ markets in their area. The grant will also fund advertisements that improve understanding of raising food and promotes agriculture in those communities.

To be eligible, a farmers’ market must meet the United States Department of Agriculture definition of a market, be located in Missouri and register as a member of the Missouri Grown program. Projects must be matched on at least a dollar-for-dollar basis to meet eligibility. Priority will be given to farmers’ markets using funds to expand their marketing budget and those not awarded funds in 2021.

Examples of qualifying expenses may include permanent signage, billboards, radio spots, print advertisement, social media or graphic design. Awardees must include the Missouri Grown logo on promotional material and be prepared to submit receipts for dispersed funds, scripts of radio advertisements and copies of any artwork created.

Ineligible expenses include food, employee payroll, donations, infrastructure, equipment, clothing and reprinting of existing promotional material.

The maximum award amount for each farmers’ market is $1,000. Applications are due Feb. 18, 2022. To apply, visit the Farmers’ Market Promotion Matching Grant Program page for a full list of program requirements, a grant timeline and printable application.

For more information on the Department and its programs, visit the Department online at Agriculture.Mo.Gov.

— Missouri Department of Agriculture