This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, BFRDP project # 2023-49400-40896

“KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S. (Kansas City Farmers and Ranchers for Mentoring, Education, and Resource Sharing) Coalition" is a project of KC Farm School at Gibbs Road and Kansas City Black Urban Growers Inc. (KC BUGs), and was developed to provide farmer-led, hands-on education for beginning farmers and ranchers across the Kansas City region and to preserve farmland for future generations.

One-third of our nation’s farmers are 65 years old or older. Many farmers nearing retirement are without a successor to continue their work. At the same time, we are at an opportune moment, with nearly one-quarter of all farmers being beginning farmers. By bringing these two groups together through farmer-led skills training, business education, and farm transition facilitation, the KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S coalition will work to attract and support the next generation of farmers and ensure the continuity of farming and its vital contributions to society and the preservation of farmland.

This coalition consists of beginning farmers and ranchers, business and training partners, and experienced farmers and ranchers who will work together collaboratively utilizing the principles of collective impact to address community-identified needs. The coalition will develop business and leadership capacity by curating shared resources, creating mentorship opportunities, and hosting hands-on business training and community rebuilding activities.

Supporting new and beginning farmers has multiple benefits as farming is the foundation of food security and economic development, fosters rural growth, and urban connection to the land. Sustainable farming practices play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. Moreover, farming is deeply rooted in cultural heritage, maintaining traditional knowledge and community identity.

By combining collective impact, extensive farmer/ rancher support through mentorship and financial support, and rooting all coalition activities in place and supportive community rebuilding practices, KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S coalition will support Kansas City area beginning farmers and ranchers to start farming and stay farming and to preserve the farmland that is crucial to food production.

Hands-On Work & Learn Events

Each of our work-and-learn sessions has a hands-on component so that everyone participating can have tactile learning experiences while sometimes helping out at the host farm. This approach helps to create muscle memory and builds community.

Workshop topics and host locations vary and are based on the needs we’ve identified from coalition members.

These events are FREE, and we generally try to provide a community meal for attendees from a local food entrepreneur or business. Attendees are responsible for transportation to and from the event, other meals, and additional equipment or supplies based on event details.

>>> REGISTER FOR EVENTS

Coalition Backbone Team & Staff

We are grateful to our backbone team of established farmers and partner organizations that have committed to helping guide this project, as well as our project leads, Alicia Ellingsworth and Dina Newman, and project coordinator, Ashley Bath.

If you have questions about the coalition and/or how to get involved, you can reach out to Ashley at ashley@kcfarmschool.org.