Loans, Grants, and Equity Funding
- Four Fundamentals of Financing
- The Truth About Free Government Grants
- Friends and Family Funding
- Types of Loans Available
- SBA / Bank Loans
- Missouri Loan Funds
- Missouri Business Incentives
- Grants and Loans for Agriculture
- Angel Investing
- Missouri Equity Funds
- Competitive Grants
- Credit Repair Resources
GUIDE: LOANS, GRANTS AND EQUITY FUNDING > PART EIGHT
Grants and Loans for Agriculture
The right support and funding can transform any venture. Whether your business works with livestock, commercial horticulture and crops, or food processing and forestry products, there are loans and grants designed to fit the unique needs of your Missouri agriculture business.
Ag loan and grant basics
Like any entrepreneur, producers can help their businesses grow by tackling big questions. How can you lower costs and maximize profits? How can you find new markets and expand your business? And how can you add value to your enterprise?
These issues impact more than just your farm – they affect Missouri’s economy as a whole. Our state has more than 95,000 farms that cover two-thirds of its total land acreage. The total number of farms in Missouri is second only to Texas. However, of all states, the Show-Me State ranks 11th in cash receipts and 31st in average value per acre of cropland. That’s a lot of opportunity – and unmet potential.
In Missouri, agriculture is an $88 billion industry. But farmers and food producers can increase their profits and create value – and an infusion of capital can help. Loans, grants and tax credits can provide the funds you need. Don’t know where to start? MOSourceLink is here to help with a comprehensive list of business resources and opportunities for your agriculture business.
Loans for agribusiness
Agribusiness loans can provide the capital you need. This financing can help purchase land or equipment, cover operating costs, make improvements or get through tough times. A variety of loans are available, many through the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Through the MDA, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority authorizes these loans, which are designed to meet specific needs:
Animal Waste Treatment Loan
With this program, independent livestock and poultry producers can get loans at low interest rates. You can use the loan to finance 100% of an eligible animal waste treatment system. This includes structures, land, fencing, water treatment equipment and more.
Alternative Loan Program
These direct loans can fund the production, processing and marketing needs of alternative agricultural enterprises. Examples of these projects include organic production, bee-related projects, aquaculture and irrigation.
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans
People who haven’t operated a farm or a ranch for more than 10 years are eligible for this loan. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency offers three types of loans:
- Farm ownership loans, for use accessing land and capital
- Operating loans, to pay normal farm or family living expenses
- Microloans, to meet the needs of beginning farmers as well as non-traditional farm operations
Bridge Loan Program
The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) provides these loans, which can be of up to $50,000. The funds are for producers who purchase, build or erect approved conservation plans.
Down Payment Loan Program
Producers can borrow to purchase land, machinery, livestock, trees or specialty crops. You can also use the funds to purchase, build or improve agribusiness buildings, livestock facilities or a processing facility. The loan can be up to 30% of the purchase price or $200,000, whichever is less.
More loan options are available. Visit the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to learn about national programs.
FSA makes direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans to family-size farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank, Farm Credit System institution or other lender.
FSA does require some borrowers to submit a business plan to be eligible for a loan. The Missouri Small Business Development Center can help with that.
USDA Rural Development partners with communities and cooperatives to fund projects that create strong rural economies and provide capital to local businesses. It also offers a number of direct business loan programs, such as the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.
Loan guarantees for Missouri producers
These incentives encourage lenders to provide reasonable financing. The programs guarantee to repay the debt if the borrower defaults. The state of Missouri offers several loan guarantee programs:
Crop and Livestock Loan Guaranty Program
Designed for 4-H and FFA members, this program guarantees 50% of a loan made to finance a supervised project. Loans are limited to the purchase of livestock, feed, seed, fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, fuel and out-of-pocket expenses.
Missouri Agricultural and Energy Saving Team – A Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO)
This loan loss reserve program encourages lenders to finance energy-efficient improvements on the farm and at home. Animal agriculture farmers who aren’t required to be permitted as a confined animal feeding operation are eligible.
Missouri Livestock Feed and Crop Input Loan Guarantee Program
If you need to finance livestock feed or crop input, this program can help. It provides up to a 50% first-loss guarantee on this financing. The loans must be made by eligible lenders and not exceed $100,000.
Missouri Value-Added Agriculture Loan Guarantee Program
This program provides a 50% first-loss guarantee. It covers agricultural business development loans. You can use this funding to acquire, construct, improve or rehabilitate agricultural property.
Single-Purpose Animal Facilities Loan Guarantee Program
MASBDA provides this 50% first-loss guarantee. It can apply to collateralized loans of up to $250,000. The loans can be made to livestock producers to finance land, facilities or equipment.
Grants for agribusiness
All entrepreneurs get excited about grants. After all, they’re funds that you don’t have to repay. For farmers and producers, these agribusiness grants can help make new programs, facilities and products a reality.
But be VERY careful when browsing for business grants online, as some advertisements promoting “Free money for your business” can be misleading; they’ll request a fee of a few hundred dollars and often only provide you with a list of microloans, which you must repay. We’ve listed loan opportunities above and vetted the grant opportunities below, which are offered by credible and official government sites:
Cover Crop Regional Conservation Partnership Program
Missouri landowners can get assistance planting cover crops. This cost-share program is available for soils classified as highly erodible. It’s also offered for soils that have organic matter content of less than 2% on 20,000 acres annually.
Farmers’ Market Promotion Matching Grant Program
The Missouri Department of Agriculture reimburses expenses related to marketing and promoting farmers’ markets. Projects should improve the community’s awareness of the market’s location, hours and products sold. Grants are up to $1,000 and must be matched dollar for dollar.
Food Desert Agriculture Matching Grant Program
Matching funds are available for projects that work to alleviate food insecurity. Programs must help areas that the USDA identifies as food deserts. These areas have low income, limited access to supermarkets and limited vehicle access.
Food Insecure Urban Agriculture Matching Grant Program
This is a reimbursement of expenses associated with addressing food insecurity in urban areas. You can use funds to increase food production, the availability of food to residents or economic growth. Applicants must provide at least $0.25 to the project for each grant dollar.
Missouri Value-Added Agriculture “Farm to Table” Grant Program
Need help getting locally grown products for use in Missouri institutions? This grant can help. Funds can be used for items like freezers, packing equipment and professional services that can have economic impact for the agricultural industry.
Missouri Value-Added Grant Program
This program funds projects that add value to Missouri agricultural products and aid the economy of a rural community. Applications are considered for business concepts that both:
- Lead to the development and marketing of new or expanded uses for agricultural products
- Foster agricultural economic development in rural communities
Organic Certification Cost Share Program
This reimbursement is available to producers who get organic certification. The program applies to first certifications or expenses related to renewing a certification. The operation must be in Missouri. It must also comply with USDA National Organic Program regulations.
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Grants of up to $50,000 are available for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Projects must address research, food safety, education, marketing and pest and disease for the specialty crop industry. These grants typically go to universities, colleges and other research institutions.
Urban Agriculture Matching Grant Program
You can be reimbursed up to $7,500 for expenses related to urban farming. These projects can include introducing a new crop or product or expanding agricultural efforts. Training, equipment, business plan development and marketing are all eligible expenses.
Missouri agriculture tax credits
Sometimes, you can get a tax credit for agribusiness expenditures. These programs can help make tax time easier.
Agricultural Products Utilization Contributor Tax Credit Program
If you make a donation to MASBDA to assist rural agribusiness, you can apply for a tax credit. The credit is up to 100% of a contribution made by a person, partnership, trust or LLC. These credits are offered on a competitive basis.
Family Farm Breeding Livestock Tax Credit Program
MASBDA offers this credit to lenders who make breeding livestock loans to small farmers. The loan amount can’t exceed 90% of the cost of purchasing the livestock. The lender can’t charge interest for the first year of the qualified loan. The credit is 100% of the interest waived that first year.
Meat Processing Facility Investment Tax Credit Program
This tax credit is 25% of the investment to modernize or expand a meat processing facility. The credit can’t exceed $75,000 and can be shared if two or more taxpayers own the facility.
New Generation Cooperative Incentive Tax Credit Program
MASBDA offers this credit for individuals who are members of organizations like co-ops. The group must own and operate a development facility or renewable fuel production facility in Missouri. The credit can be 50% of the member’s investment or $15,000 – whichever is less.
Get personalized agribusiness help
MOSourceLink is here to connect you with the organizations and programs to help your business thrive.
Our Resource Navigator is a comprehensive listing of more than 600 Missouri organizations. Search for the ones in your geographic area or area of need and explore others that can help across the state.
Meet one-on-one virtually with a Network Navigator. These experts take the time to learn about your business and your goals. Then, they lay out your custom step-by-step Personal Action Plan to get you where you want to go, based on what you need. Network Navigators can’t help you apply for specific loans or grants. However, they can direct you to the right program – and the right support.
Organizations that can help ag entrepreneurs
You don’t have to grow your business alone. These groups can help you find the resources to expand your agribusiness.
1 Million Cups
24:1 Small Business Network by Beyond Housing
AAIM Employers' Association
Academy of Science - St. Louis
Accelefund
Adrian City Clerk Office
Advanced Training & Technology Center
Advantage Capital Partners
AgrAbility
Agricultural Business and Policy Extension (MU Extension)
Alba City Clerk Office
All Things Missouri
Allen Angel Capital Education Program - University of Missouri-Columbia - College of Business
Alliance Credit Union
Alma City Clerk Office
AltCap
Anderson City Clerk Office
Andrew County Collector
Annapolis City Clerk Office
Annie's Project
Apex Accelerators of Missouri - Columbia
Apex Accelerators of Missouri - Kansas City
Apex Accelerators of Missouri - Missouri State University (MSU)
Apex Accelerators of Missouri - MU Extension Howell County
Apex Accelerators of Missouri - MU Extension St. Louis County
Apex Accelerators of Missouri - St. Louis
Apex Accelerators of Missouri - University of Missouri (MU) Extension
Appleton City Clerk Office
The Appleton City Clerk also works with licensing and permits in Appleton City, MO.
Arcadia City Clerk Office
Arch Grants
Arch Reactor
Arnold City Clerk's Office
Arsenal Capital Management
Artist INC/MAAA
ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council
Ascension Ventures
Ashland City Clerk Office
Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City
Asian American Chamber of Commerce-St. Louis
Assemblies of God Credit Union
Atchison County Development Corporation
Aurora City Clerk Office
Auxvasse City Hall
Ava Department of Development
B12 Capital Partners
Ballwin City Clerk Office
Bates City Clerk Office
Battlefield City Clerk Office
BD Owens Library
Belle City Clerk Office
Bellflower City Clerk Office
Belton City Clerk Office
Belton, MO Chamber of Commerce
Benton City Clerk Office
Benton County Economic Development
Bernie City Clerk Office
Bertrand City Clerk Office
Bethany Area Chamber of Commerce
Bethany City Clerk Office
Better Business Bureau of Greater Kansas City
BioGenerator
BioNexus KC
BioSTL
Birch Tree City Clerk Office
Bismarck City Clerk Office
Black Economic Union of Greater Kansas City
Black Jack City Clerk Office
Blackburn City Clerk Office
Bland City Clerk Office
Court Clerk is responsible for maintaining all court records and payments.
Bloomfield City Clerks Office
Bloomsdale City Clerks Office
Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce
Bodley Group
Bonne Terre City Clerk Office
Boone Electric Cooperative
Boonslick Community Development Corporation
Boonslick Regional Planning Commission
Bootheel Regional Planning & Economic Development Commission
Bourbon City Clerks Office
BRAND of St. Louis
Branson West City Clerks Office
Brashear City Clerks Office
Braymer City Clerks Office
Breckenridge City Clerks Office
Brentwood City Clerks Office
Bridge Space
Bridgeton City Clerks Office
Brookfield Chamber of Commerce
Brookfield Industrial Development Authority
Brookfield Public Library
Brookside Business Association
Browning City Clerks Office
Brownpreneurs
Bucklin City Clerks Office
Buffalo City Clerks Office
Bunker Labs St. Louis
Burlington Junction City Clerks Office
Butler City Clerks Office
Byrnes Mill City Clerks Office
C3 Capital
Cabool City Clerks Office
Cainsville City Clerks Office
Caldwell County
Calhoun City Clerks Office
Callaway Chamber of Commerce
Cameron Area Chamber of Commerce
Cameron City Clerk's Office
Cameron Development Department
Campus Coworking Space
Canton City Clerk Office
Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce
Cape Girardeau Area Magnet
Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center
Cape Girardeau Development Services
Capital for Business, Inc.
Capital Innovators
Carthage Chamber of Commerce
Carthage Economic Development Corporation
Catalyst Center for Business
Cedar County Economic Development
Centennial Investors Angel Investor Network
Center for Emerging Technologies (CET)
Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation-College of Business-University of Missouri-Columbia
Center for Experiential Learning
Center for Workforce Development - Missouri Western State University
Central Bank of Kansas City
Centralia Chamber of Commerce
Century Bank of the Ozarks
Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship at the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business, Saint Louis University
Charleston Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Charlotte Street Foundation
Chesterfield Department of Planning
Child Care Aware® of Missouri
Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce
Christian County Library Nixa Branch
Christian County Library Ozark Branch
CIC St. Louis
City of Albany
City of Atlanta
City of Aurora
City of Barnett
City of Bella Villa
City of Berkeley
City of Bethany
City of Blue Springs, Missouri - Economic Growth and Development Division
City of Bolivar
City of Branson, MO Open for Business
City of Brookfield
City of Buckner, Missouri - Administrator/Clerk
City of Centerview
City of Columbia, MO - Business License Division
City of Columbia-Community Development
City of Creve Coeur Green Business Program
City of Excelsior Springs, MO - Community Development Department
City of Ferguson
City of Gladstone, Missouri - Economic Development Department
City of Independence, MO - Community Development Department
• Building inspections
• Historic preservation
• Neighborhood services
• Development services
• Regulated industries
Most importantly, the city works with citizen groups, the city council, the planning commission, the zoning board of adjustment and city administration to ensure quality development throughout the city of Independence.
City of Kirksville
City of Mexico, Missouri
City of Peculiar, Missouri - Economic Development Department
City of Raytown, Office of Economic Development
City of Richmond, MO - Economic Development Department
City of Springfield - Division of Licensing
City of Springfield Economic Development
City of St. Charles Economic Development
City of Sunset Hills
City of Trenton Missouri-Trenton Municipal Utilities
Clarkton City Clerk Office
Clay County Economic Development Council
Claycomo Village City Clerk Office
Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions, St. Louis
Clinton City Clerk Office
Codefi
Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Community Capital Fund
Community Innovation and Action Center
Community Services League
COMO Cooks
Corder City Clerk Office
Country Club Village City Clerk Office
Crowder College Training & Development Solutions (TDS)
Cuba Area Chamber of Commerce
Almost 200 member companies and organizations work together to promote a positive environment to nurture businesses, improve the community, boost tourism, and support families.
Cultivation Capital
Cup of Joe
Daniel Boone Regional Library
Daviess County Missouri
Deepwater City Clerk Office
Determination, Incorporated
Digital Sandbox KC
Dixon City Clerk Office
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Doolittle City Clerk Office
Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Douglas County Public Library
Downtown Community Improvement District
The District is bounded by three colleges and encompasses 50 square blocks, more than 300 individual properties, over 5000 residences, and over 600 businesses, non-profits and government entities.
Downtown Council of Kansas City
Downtown Joplin Alliance
Downtown Marceline
Downtown Marceline is non-government and a 501c3 non profit organization made up of concerned citizens volunteering their time to the revitalization of historic downtown Marceline.
Downtown STL, Inc.
Dundee Venture Capital
Duquesne City Clerk Office
Duree Center for Entrepreneurship
Eagle Private Capital
Economic Development Corporation (EDC) - Jefferson County
Economic Development Corporation (EDC) - Kansas City, MO
In addition, the EDC administers the city's TIF program, LCRA and Enhanced Enterprise/Zone Works program.
EDC Loan Corporation of Kansas City
Edgar Springs City Clerk Office
EdHub Fellowship by EdHub STL
efactory
Eldon Area Chamber of Commerce
Ellsinore City Clerk Office
Empire Market
Enactus
EnCorps Partners
Ennovation Center
The facility offers several distinct business specialties, including a shared commercial kitchen space, bio-safety Level 1 labs, and a business and tech area offering dedicated workspaces, temporary workspaces, offices, conference rooms, office suites and production labs.
Enterprise University
Entrepreneur Quest - Missouri University of Science & Technology
Entrepreneur Quest - University of Missouri-Columbia
Entrepreneur Quest - University of Missouri-Kansas City
Entrepreneur Quest - University of Missouri-St. Louis
Entrepreneurial Legal Services Clinic and Intellectual Property Clinic at UMKC
Entrepreneurship and Intellectual Property Clinic - Washington University in St. Louis
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV)
Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic (ELC) - University of Missouri
Entrepreneurship.org
equity²
Evergy Ventures
Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
FabLab MCC-Business & Technology
Fair Grove City Clerk
Fairfax City Hall
Farm Service Agency
Farmington Economic Development
Fayette City Clerk
FCS Financial
Firebrand Ventures
Five Elms Capital
Flyover Capital
Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development
Freelance Exchange of Kansas City
Frontier Financial Partners
Fruit Experiment Station - Missouri State University
Galt City Clerk Office
Generating Income For Tomorrow (Kansas City G.I.F.T.)
Gideon City Clerk Office
Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce
GO CAPS
GotDevKC
Grain Valley Partnership
Grandview Chamber & Economic Development Council
Grant City, City Clerk Office
Great Plains Technology & Manufacturing Cluster
Greater Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce-Economic Development
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Greater Kansas City LISC
Greater North County Chamber of Commerce
Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technologies (GOCAT)
Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater St. Louis Inc. Diverse Business Accelerator
Green Hills Regional Planning Commission
Grind + Growth
Growing Growers Kansas City
Grundy County Missouri
GSA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
GUILDit
Habitat for Neighborhood Business
HNB strives to restore urban neighborhoods with new and additional business activity, job growth, and business role models.
Hallsville City Clerk Office
Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce
Hammerspace Community Workshop & Makerspace
Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council
Hardin City Clerk Office
Harrisonville Area Chamber of Commerce
Harrisonville City Collector
Harrisonville Economic Development
Hartville City Clerk Office
Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce
Heartland Regional Library System
Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce
Helix Center Biotech Incubator
Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (HEMP)
Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis
Hispanic Economic Development Corporation
Holcomb City Clerk Office
Holleway Capital Partners, LLC
Hollister City Clerk Office
Holt County
Holts Summit City Clerks Office
Holy Rosary Credit Union
Houston, MO - Department of Economic Development
Huntsville City Clerk Office
Ignite Entrepreneurial Program
Independence Chamber of Commerce
Independence Economic Development Council
Information Experience Lab - a Usability and User Experience Lab
InnovateHER KC
Innovation Stockyard
Innovation Studio - Powered by UMKC
InSITE Washington University
Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association
International Institute of St. Louis - Small Business
International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City, Inc. (ITC)
Inventor Forge Makerspace
Inventors Center of Kansas City
InvestMidwest
The conference provides an ideal opportunity for entrepreneurs to raise capital and all attendees to make new connections.
IRS
iSelect Fund
ITEN
Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce
Jennings Department of Finance
Job One
Johnson County Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC)
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce
Joplin Capital Corporation
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce staff supports and promotes JCC.
Joplin City Clerk Office
Jordan Valley Innovation Center
Joseph Newman Innovation Center
Justine PETERSEN
Our mission is demonstrated by our services, which include credit building and financial education, homeownership preparation and retention, and micro-enterprise lending and training.
Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
Kansas City Public Library - Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts
Kauffman FastTrac
Kauffman Founders School
Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission
KC BizCare
KC Collective
KC IABC (Kansas City Chapter, International Association of Business Communicators)
KC SmartPort
KC Tech Council
KC Velocity
KCRise Fund
Kearney Area Development Council
Kearney Chamber of Commerce
Kearney City Administrator Office
Kingdom Capital
Kirksville Regional Economic Development, Inc
Kirkwood Public Library
Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments
Laredo City Clerk Office
Lathrop Area Chamber of Commerce
2) Extend and promote the present trade and commerce to foster, develop and support the industry of the region.
LaunchCode
LaunchKC
Laurie City Clerk Office
Leadership Northwest Missouri
A leadership program for community leaders interested in the regional growth of Northwest Missouri through high-quality training and networking opportunities. Participants are selected from the nineteen counties of Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Sullivan and Worth. Classes start in January of each year and meet monthly through June in different locations throughout the region.