KRC’s 2009 Kansas Farmers Market Month Cost-Share Application Available with a Submission Deadline of June 29th

Download the 2009 application: 2009 Kansas Farmers Market Month Cost-Share Application

USDA’s Secretary of Agriculture proclaims the first full week in August National Farmers Market Week. In Kansas, we’ve believe our farmers and markets are so sensational we need an entire month to celebrate. To make farmers market month festivities even more celebratory, your market can apply for a Kansas Farmers Market Month Promotional Cost-Share.

This cost-share program will match dollar-for-dollar market expenditures for Kansas Farmers Market Month promotions up to $500. For example, if your market budgets and spends $800 on allowable expenses, the program will reimburse your market $400 (50%).

Your promotion must take place during the month of August. Allowable expenditures include:

• agricultural and cooking demonstrations
• product sampling
• health and wellness events
• customer competitions
• advertising (not to exceed 25% of the cost of the event).

The Kansas Rural Center’s Farmers Market Month Cost-Share Program is funded through a Kansas Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Grant. The goal of specialty crop grant is to increase the sale of non-commodity crops in Kansas. Please keep this in mind when developing promotions for the cost-share program. You’ll want to plan activities that are fun, informative and assist your producers in selling more fruits, vegetables plants and cut-flowers!

Cost-share applications must be received by June 29th. Applications will be reviewed by a committee. Awards will be made on a competitive basis and will take into consideration geographic distribution, a market’s number of vendors and potential for outreach to customers. All applicants will be notified in writing by July 10th. Markets will be required to submit receipts, event photos and program evaluations to receive reimbursements. Total matching program funds are $5000.

Kansas Farmers Market Month events will be featured on ksfarmersmarkets.org and ksfarmersmarkets blog as well as in media releases. Additionally, a final report will be developed which outlines each market’s activities to serve as a statewide market reference for future special event planning.