Project Overview
“KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S: Kansas City Farmers and Ranchers for Mentoring, Education, and Resource Sharing Coalition '' a project of KC Farm School at Gibbs Road and Kansas City Black Urban Growers Inc. (KC BUGs) was developed to provide farmer-led, hands-on education for new and beginning farmers and ranchers across the Kansas City metropolitan area, and to preserve farmland for the coming 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 new and beginning. Bringing these groups together through farmer-led skills training and business education, the KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S coalition is supporting the next generation of farmers and ensuring the continuity of farming and its vital contributions to society and farmland preservation.
This coalition, consisting of new and beginning farmers and ranchers, business partners, and experienced farmers and ranchers, has worked together in the first year of this three-year project to utilize the principles of collective impact to address identified needs. The coalition is developing business and leadership capacity by providing and curating shared resources, mentorship, hands-on business training, and community rebuilding opportunities.
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 is supporting Kansas City area beginning farmers and ranchers to start farming and stay farming and to preserve farmland that is crucial to food production.
Number of Participants: 341
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