About Us
With growing demand for fruit and vegetable production across the U.S., including Kansas City, the Growing Growers program was developed in 2004 by Kansas State University to train new and existing specialty crop farmers in effective growing practices for Missouri/Kansas soils and climate. The Growing Growers program provides education to new and experienced growers through a farm apprenticeship program and an annual workshop series.
This program is a collaborative effort of K-State Research and Extension, University of Missouri Extension, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, New Growth, The Food Circle, Cultivate KC, BoysGrow, and the Kansas Rural Center.
Main Components
APPRENTICESHIPS: Apprentices work on fruit & vegetable farms in the Kansas City Metropolitan area and beyond to get first-hand, practical farming experience. We are working to expand our program regionally to Wichita, Kansas; Springfield, Missouri; and other cities in Kansas and Missouri. Apprentices attend the workshop series during the production season and receive one-on-one mentorship from their host farmer (if completing the farm apprenticeship track). Apprenticeship positions can be paid or volunteer positions.
WORKSHOPS: The Growing Growers program offers workshops throughout the year, open to the public. Most workshops are free, but registration fees may be required at others. The events cover skills required to run a local farm (see the workshop page for the current series). The core workshops include introduction to soil management; production planning and plant propagation; post-harvest handling; small-farm equipment and drip irrigation; insect, disease, and weed management; and farm business management. Workshops are geared toward beginner farmers, but they also offer valuable information and skill-building for more experienced farmers!
GROWERS LISTSERV: The Growing Growers program maintains a listserv for communication and information sharing. Participants include area growers, restaurateurs, grocery stores, extension agents, and other parties interested in the local farming industry. Local grocers and restaurants post emails soliciting suppliers; people organizing educational activities send out notices about workshops, farm tours, and conferences. Anyone can sign up – visit our GrowersKC Listserv page for more details!
OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING EVENTS: The Growing Growers program occasionally organizes special events to help strengthen the local farming industry. In 2013, Growing Growers developed a one-day conference, “Feeding Kansas City,” to address marketing channels to help farmers figure out how and where to sell their vegetables, meats, and dairy products. Other events include workshops on farm business planning, budgets, and financing.