Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Missouri Department of Agriculture (MODA)

- Beginning Farmer Loan Program Guidelines
- Beginning Farmer Loan Program Application

The Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority administers a program that enables lenders to receive federally tax-exempt interest on loans made to beginning farmers. The tax savings are passed on to beginning farmers in the form of lower interest rates. A qualified borrower can borrow up to $682,700 to buy:

- agricultural land

- farm buildings

- farm equipment

- and breeding livestock

The maximum loan is $682,700. Of this amount, depreciable agricultural property may not exceed $250,000, with a limit of $62,500 for used depreciable property.



The Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority administers a program that enables lenders to receive federally tax-exempt interest on loans made to beginning farmers. The tax savings are passed on to beginning farmers in the form of lower interest rates. A qualified borrower can borrow up to $682,700 to buy:
- agricultural land
- farm buildings
- farm equipment
- and breeding livestock
The maximum loan is $682,700. Of this amount, depreciable agricultural property may not exceed $250,000, with a limit of $62,500 for used depreciable property.

- Borrowers must be legal Missouri residents at least 18 years old
- Borrower must be able to provide proof of citizenship, identity and legal Missouri residence. If the borrower employs laborers, he/she must also provide proof of enrollment and participation in the federal work authorization program.
- The project must be located within Missouri
- The borrower must have adequate working capital and experience in the type of farming operation for which the loan is sought
- The beginning farmer is one who has not owned, either directly or indirectly, more than 30 percent of the median size of a farm in the county
- After the loan is closed, the borrower’s chief occupation must be farming or ranching, gross farm income must exceed any off-farm income (spouse’s off-farm income does not count in determining eligibility)
- Individuals in partnerships are eligible for loans if all partners meet the eligibility requirements

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

Borrowers qualifying for the Beginning Farmer Loan Program may also qualify for the Missouri FIRST Program administered by the state treasurer’s office. The Missouri FIRST Program makes funds available at reduced interest rates to lenders who in turn pass the savings along to agricultural borrowers. To find out more about the Missouri FIRST Program, call the state treasurer’s office at (573) 751-2372 or visit their website at www.treasurer.mo.gov. Borrowers may also qualify for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Down Payment Loan Program and Joint Financing Plan for further reduction of interest.

Historically Underserved

A qualified borrower can borrow up to $682,700 to purchase agricultural land, farm buildings, farm equipment, and breeding livestock. The maximum loan is $682,700. Of this amount, depreciable agricultural property may not exceed $250,000, with a limit of $62,500 for used depreciable property.
The terms of the loan are negotiated by the lender and borrower.

The FY26 application period is closed (the application submission deadline was September 15, 2025). Grantees must register as a vendor with the State of Missouri via the MOVERS web portal and reach "Approved" status by December 1, 2025. The Reimbursement Request Form deadline is March 31, 2026. The Final Report & Documents deadline is May 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. For questions about the program, contact Program Manager Taylor Adamek or the Ag Business Development Division at (573) 751-4762 or abd@mda.mo.gov; for questions about location eligibility, email grants@mda.mo.gov or call (573) 751-7794.

Taylor Adamek

Program Manager

The Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program, administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), assists small agribusinesses operating in urban&#x2004;areas. Acceptable projects focus on growth and development of agribusinesses; development of production infrastructure or direct distribution venues; providing training and developing skills for agribusiness sustainability; and projects that demonstrate economic growth. Eligible project types include, but are not limited to, business plan development, marketing plans, feasibility studies, and community gardens. The program reimburses 75% of total eligible project expenditures, up to $10,000, and is a reimbursement-only grant: funds are released only after MDA receives paid invoices with proof of payment, confirms required registrations, and completes an inspection.



The Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program, administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), assists small agribusinesses operating in urban areas. Acceptable projects focus on growth and development of agribusinesses; development of production infrastructure or direct distribution venues; providing training and developing skills for agribusiness sustainability; and projects that demonstrate economic growth. Eligible project types include, but are not limited to, business plan development, marketing plans, feasibility studies, and community gardens. The program reimburses 75% of total eligible project expenditures, up to $10,000, and is a reimbursement-only grant: funds are released only after MDA receives paid invoices with proof of payment, confirms required registrations, and completes an inspection.

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a grant award:
1. The applicant must be registered to do business in Missouri and in Good Standing with the Secretary of State, if applicable;
2. The applicant must complete and submit Form 943 to obtain a tax clearance certificate (valid for 90 days) from the Missouri Department of Revenue for each owner and the business;
3. The applicant must not employ illegal workers and must provide proof of enrollment in E-Verify; and
4. Prior to award reimbursement, the applicant must register as a vendor with the State of Missouri through the MissouriBUYS web portal.
5. Applicants must reside in one of these urban counties: https://agriculture.mo.gov/abd/financial/urban.php 

Examples of eligible expenses:
- Equipment/Materials
- Business plan development
- Marketing
- Project-approved supplies

Examples of ineligible expenses:
- Food purchase
- Fuel expenses
- Salaries/payroll for employees
- Donations/contributions to fundraisers
- Supplies/expenses not previously approved
- Vehicles
- costs incurred through other MDA financial opportunities

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

- Urban Ag Grant FAQs
- Urban Ag Grant Guidelines

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

The program reimburses 75% of total eligible project expenditures, up to a maximum of $10,000 per award; the remaining 25% is the applicant's required match. This is a reimbursement-only grant: funds are released only after MDA receives paid invoices with proof of payment, confirms all required registrations are complete, and conducts an on-site inspection.

List of Missouri Department of Agriculture (MODA) Funding Opportunities