Priority: access capital without credit history, free technical assistance, grants with no matching funds. Start with USDA FSA — programs built specifically for new farmers.
Requirements: Mushrooms are explicitly listed as eligible. Covers market expansion and new market development costs. Apply at FSA.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to FSA page ↗ for USDA MASC — Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Covers GAP, food safety certification costs for specialty crop growers. Applications accepted Jan 1–Jan 31 annually.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to Farmers.gov page ↗ for USDA FSCSC — Food Safety Certification (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Covers organic cert application, inspection, and fees through 2031. Apply at FSA by Dec 31, 2026 for 2025–2026.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to FSA page ↗ for USDA OCCSP — Organic Certification Cost Share (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Kansas distributes ~$330K/year for mushrooms, microgreens, specialty produce. No matching funds required. Applications due March annually.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to KDA page ↗ for KDA Specialty Crop Block Grant (Kansas) (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Kansas state supplement to OCCSP. Covers organic cert costs for Kansas farms. Apply through KDA Food Safety program.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to KDA page ↗ for KDA Organic Certification Cost Share (Kansas) (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Develops direct-to-consumer markets: farmers markets, CSA programs, online sales, roadside stands, agritourism.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA AMS page ↗ for USDA FMPP — Farmers Market Promotion (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Expands local food supply chains: food hubs, farm-to-institution, CSA, and wholesale local food channels.
Heads up: The 2026 round closed June 5, 2026. Watch the page for the next notice of funding.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA AMS page ↗ for USDA LFPP — Local Food Promotion (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Simplified application, no collateral on smaller amounts. Mushroom and specialty crop farms qualify. Apply at your local FSA office year-round.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to FSA page ↗ for USDA FSA Microloan (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Ownership and operating loans with lower rates for those who can't get conventional credit. Apply at any FSA county office.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to FSA page ↗ for USDA FSA Beginning Farmer Direct Loans (opens in a new tab)Requirements: State brand opens wholesale and retail marketing channels statewide. Low barrier, strong market signal for specialty crop producers.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to From the Land of Kansas page ↗ for From the Land of Kansas — Brand Program (opens in a new tab)Requirements: One-on-one grant writing, business plan, and financing help for Kansas farms. Not a grant itself — dramatically improves applications.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to Kansas SBDC page ↗ for Kansas SBDC (Southeast Kansas center) — Free Business Consulting (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Farmer-led sustainable ag research. Kansas is in the North Central region.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to SARE page ↗ for SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant (North Central) (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Kansas-specific ag research including ag technology innovations. $450K FY26 appropriation. Up to 2-year project duration.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to KDA page ↗ for KDA Crop & Livestock Research Grant (Kansas) (opens in a new tab)Focus on operational improvements, conservation cost-share, value-added processing, and market expansion. EQIP and VAPG are the biggest opportunities at this stage.
Requirements: Annual operating expenses: seed, substrate, packaging, equipment repairs. Rolling applications year-round at local FSA office.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to FSA page ↗ for USDA FSA Operating Loans (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Flexible loan for established small businesses. Works for farm operations that have outgrown FSA micro limits. 2+ years tax returns needed.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to SBA page ↗ for SBA 7(a) Small Business Loan (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Working capital for rural small farms through SBA microlenders. Free business counseling included. $500–$50K range.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to SBA page ↗ for SBA Microloan Program (rural small farms) (opens in a new tab)Requirements: High tunnels, irrigation efficiency, organic transition, nutrient management. Apply through your local NRCS office.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to NRCS page ↗ for USDA EQIP — Environmental Quality Incentives (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Solar panels, LED grow lights, refrigeration upgrades, energy efficiency on farm buildings. Rural farms and small businesses qualify.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA REAP — Rural Energy for America (opens in a new tab)Requirements: KDA Division of Conservation: Water Resources, Non-Point Source, Riparian & Wetland Protection, Sediment & Nutrient Reduction programs.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to KDA page ↗ for Kansas Conservation Cost-Share Programs (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Dried mushrooms, tinctures, extracts, packaged produce. Covers feasibility studies and working capital for processing operations.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA VAPG — Value-Added Producer Grant (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Kansas-specific equipment grants for food processing and distribution on accelerated timeline. No cost-sharing required.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to KDA page ↗ for Kansas RFSI Equipment Grant (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Iola or Allen County applies on your behalf. Funds job creation in food deserts. Contact Iola city manager to initiate.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to HUD page ↗ for HUD CDBG — Community Development Block Grant (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Rural Development funds for community buildings and facilities. City, county, or nonprofit must be the applicant of record.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA Community Facilities Grant (opens in a new tab)Focus on capital equipment, infrastructure expansion, and technology investment. SBA 504, USDA B&I, and SBIR become accessible at this scale.
Requirements: Fixed-rate long-term financing for major equipment and real estate. 10% down. Works for cold storage, processing equipment, building purchase.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to SBA page ↗ for SBA 504 — Equipment & Real Estate (opens in a new tab)Requirements: USDA guarantees 80% of a bank loan for rural businesses. Easier approval than conventional commercial loans.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA B&I — Business & Industry Loan Guarantee (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Ag-technology research grants. Phase II up to $750K follows.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA NIFA page ↗ for USDA SBIR Phase I — Ag Innovation (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Annual payments for maintaining and improving conservation practices: soil health, water quality, pollinator habitat. NRCS administers.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to NRCS page ↗ for USDA CSP — Conservation Stewardship Program (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Larger conservation projects with a partner organization. Covers precision ag technology and advanced water management.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to NRCS page ↗ for USDA RCPP — Regional Conservation Partnership (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Economic development planning and rural business expansion financing. Local government or nonprofit organization must be the applicant.
Heads up: The 2026 deadlines were June 15 and June 30, 2026. Watch the page for the next round.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA RBDG — Rural Business Development Grant (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Federal regional economic development grants. Allen County or regional planning commission must apply on farm's behalf.
On the next page, search: Economic Adjustment Assistance to find this grant.
Official hub page; use the search words above
Search at EDA ↗ for EDA — Economic Development Administration (opens in a new tab)At this scale USDA RBDG, IRP, SBIR Phase II, and EPA programs are primary tools. Professional grant writers pay for themselves here.
Requirements: Commercializes validated ag-technology from Phase I. University partnerships increase success rate significantly.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA NIFA page ↗ for USDA SBIR Phase II — Commercialization (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Water quality improvement for farms near waterways. Managed through KDHE for Kansas farms. Good for irrigation runoff areas.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to EPA page ↗ for EPA Section 319 — Nonpoint Source Grant (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Rural business development, technology transfer, and market opportunity studies. Competitive with strong narrative.
Heads up: USDA says individuals and for-profit businesses cannot apply; a nonprofit, town, cooperative or tribe applies and can serve farms. The 2026 deadlines were June 15 and June 30, 2026.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA RBDG — Rural Business Development Grants (replaces RBOG) (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Large-scale specialty crop research. University partnership typically required. Strong fit for mushroom production systems research.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA NIFA page ↗ for USDA SCRI — Specialty Crop Research Initiative (opens in a new tab)Requirements: State-level grants for regional food distribution networks. Kansas Department of Agriculture administers in Kansas.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA AMS page ↗ for USDA RFSI — Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Low-interest loans for rural business expansion through intermediary lenders. Covers cold storage facilities and processing plants.
Heads up: You borrow from a local lender (an 'intermediary') that USDA has funded, so you apply to that lender.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA IRP — Intermediary Relending Program (opens in a new tab)Requirements: State agencies buy local specialty crops for nutrition programs. Large farms supplying consistent volume qualify.
Heads up: LFPA pays state and tribal governments to buy local food from farms. Farms sell to the state program rather than applying for a grant. We could not confirm that new rounds are open now; check the page.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA AMS page ↗ for USDA LFPA — Local Food Purchase Assistance (opens in a new tab)Federal loan guarantees, USDA cooperative agreements, and large SBIR/STTR Phase II grants. Institutional partnerships with land-grant universities unlock research funding at this level.
Requirements: Commercialization of ag-tech validated in Phase I. Commercial farms partnering with K-State have highest success rate.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA NIFA page ↗ for USDA SBIR Phase II (Commercial) (opens in a new tab)Requirements: USDA guarantees 80% of bank loans for rural businesses at enterprise scale. Covers full distribution facilities and processing plants.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA B&I Guaranteed Loan (Commercial Scale) (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Up to $5.5M equipment + $5.5M real estate at 10% down. Commercial cold storage, packing lines, processing facilities.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to SBA page ↗ for SBA 504 — Enterprise Scale (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Partner with K-State Research and Extension for co-funded research. Farm provides trial sites; university provides grant access.
Heads up: Hatch money goes to land-grant universities such as K-State. A farm takes part as a trial site or partner; you do not file this application yourself.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA NIFA page ↗ for USDA NIFA Hatch Act — University Research Funding (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Commercial farms anchor regional food system projects. State ag department applies. 3–5 year timeline from start to funding.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA AMS page ↗ for USDA RFSI — Commercial Anchor (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Tax credit equity for commercial food facility development in low-income areas. CDFI intermediary must structure the deal.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to CDFI Fund page ↗ for CDFI New Markets Tax Credit (opens in a new tab)Independent grocers, food co-ops, and buyers clubs purchasing from local specialty crop farmers can access grants for procurement, food desert investment, and market development.
Requirements: Retailers and co-ops expand local food procurement and direct-market channels. Point-of-sale labeling and buyer-farmer matchmaking qualify.
Heads up: The 2026 round closed June 5, 2026. USDA now lists this as the Local Food Promotion Program (the old 'FMLFPP' name was split into FMPP and LFPP).
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA AMS page ↗ for USDA LFPP — Local Food Promotion (retail and co-op channels) (opens in a new tab)Requirements: SBA 90% loan guarantee for grocery supply chain businesses including producers and logistics. Broad food supply chain eligibility.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to SBA page ↗ for SBA Grocery Guarantee Loan (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Retail stores carrying Kansas specialty crops join as brand retail partners. Drives demand through state marketing association network.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to From the Land of Kansas page ↗ for From the Land of Kansas — Retail Partner (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Grocery stores in food deserts: equipment, renovation, and startup costs. Kansas rural communities qualify.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA HFFI — Healthy Food Financing Initiative (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Free consulting for Kansas food retail business plans, financing applications, and grant writing.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to Kansas SBDC page ↗ for Kansas SBDC (Southeast Kansas center) — Retail Food Business Help (opens in a new tab)Requirements: City/county applies to HUD for grocery store development in food deserts. Contact Allen County or Iola city manager to start.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to HUD page ↗ for HUD CDBG — Food Retail Development (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Regional planning commission applies for food access infrastructure. Long timeline, significant economic impact.
On the next page, search: Public Works to find this grant.
Official hub page; use the search words above
Search at EDA ↗ for EDA — Regional Food Retail Infrastructure (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Tax credit equity for grocery development in low-income areas. CDFI must structure the deal. Significant capital projects only.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to CDFI Fund page ↗ for CDFI New Markets Tax Credit — Grocery (opens in a new tab)Transporting perishable specialty crops requires refrigerated vehicles, route optimization, and last-mile infrastructure. These grants fund the delivery side of the local food chain.
Requirements: Covers delivery costs when a farm directly distributes its own processed or packaged specialty crops.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA VAPG — Logistics Working Capital (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Refrigerated delivery vehicles, route vehicles, mobile cold storage. Most flexible SBA program for farm delivery operations.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to SBA page ↗ for SBA 7(a) — Delivery Fleet Financing (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Long-term fixed-rate for refrigerated trucks, cold storage units, processing equipment. 10% down, 10–20 year terms.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to SBA page ↗ for SBA 504 — Equipment & Cold Storage (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Regional food hub development: aggregation points, cold storage, and distribution infrastructure connecting farms to retail.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA AMS page ↗ for USDA AMS — Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Energy-efficient refrigeration for cold storage and delivery vehicles. Farm delivery businesses in rural areas qualify.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA REAP — Cold Chain Energy Efficiency (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Kansas equipment grants for food distribution and logistics operations. No cost-sharing required. Accelerated timeline.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to KDA page ↗ for Kansas RFSI — Distribution Equipment (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Rural business development grants for delivery infrastructure. Local government or nonprofit applies for farm logistics operations.
Heads up: A local government, nonprofit, co-op or tribe must be the applicant. The 2026 deadlines were June 15 and June 30, 2026.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA Rural Development page ↗ for USDA RBDG — Rural Logistics Infrastructure (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Rural transportation infrastructure: delivery infrastructure and charging stations. County or city applies.
Heads up: DOT renamed RAISE to BUILD; the official page now shows the BUILD name.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to DOT page ↗ for DOT RAISE Grant — Rural Transportation (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Large state-level grants for building regional specialty crop distribution networks. State ag agency applies.
Link checked October 26, 2026
Go to USDA AMS page ↗ for USDA RFSI — Regional Distribution (opens in a new tab)Requirements: Economic Development Administration grants for regional logistics infrastructure. County or regional planning commission must apply.
On the next page, search: Public Works to find this grant.
Official hub page; use the search words above
Search at EDA ↗ for EDA — Rural Logistics Infrastructure (opens in a new tab)No grants match your search. Try different keywords.
SEK Mushrooms is not a government agency and does not give out grants. We are not affiliated with USDA, SBA, EDA, the State of Kansas or any program listed here. This page is a starting list to help farmers find the official programs.
Amounts, dates, rules and whether a program is open change often. Always confirm everything on the official page before you apply. We do not promise that you will qualify or be awarded money. This is not legal, tax or financial advice.
61 programs. Last link check: October 26, 2026. A line that says "On the next page, search" means the agency does not give one direct web address for that program, so the search words will take you to it. Something out of date or broken? Email info@sekmushrooms.com.