Metro Farms & Food Systems Farm Funding Specialist

Position: Metro Farms & Food Systems Farm Funding Specialist

FLSA: Non-exempt

Reports to: Metro Farms & Food Systems Program Manager

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week Mon-Fri, occasional evening or weekend work, as needed

Rate: $20-$23 per hour; health benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan option, four PTO days usable at start, two weeks of vacation accrued during first year, increases to three weeks at year two, plus paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. 

Position Summary:

Our Metro Farms & Food Systems (MFFS) program exists to help grow the Kansas City local food system through providing technical assistance, training and education, networking and support services to local farms and food projects. The MFFS Farm Funding Specialist is responsible for overseeing the growth of Cultivate KC’s mini grant program, developing and supporting a collaborative bridge loan program, and providing one-on-one support to urban farmers in business management, grant writing, and other funding related topics.  

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Direct Farmer Support

• Provide one-on-one technical assistance for urban farmers on topics such as applying for funding opportunities, business planning, goal setting, financial record keeping, applying for a business license, etc.
• Plan workshops for urban growers in collaboration with area experts on topics such as business planning, legal structures, farm taxes, etc.
• Connect urban growers with financial resources and programs available through USDA agencies such as Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency
• Support third- and fourth-year New Roots farmers on topics such as farm funding, farm business management, and risk management. Assist farmers in setting up farm business essentials: business plan, legal structure, licenses and permits, insurance, and budget guidance. 

Program Development and Support

• Administer Cultivate KC’s mini grant programs to provide direct financial support to urban growers.
• Maintain a list of relevant grants and funding resources for urban growers and food system organizations on Cultivate KC’s website.
• Develop and oversee a new bridge loan program for urban farmers in partnership with AltCap.
• Participate in MFFS team meetings, events, and planning sessions.
• Maintain program documents and record-keeping systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Placement Criteria

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Experience with grant writing, grant management, and/or grant administration.
• Business development experience, or equivalent education and relevant experience.
• Familiarity with urban farming and sustainable agriculture practices. 
• Ability to navigate relevant business licensing requirements.
• Ability to travel locally to farm site visits is required. Mileage is reimbursed according to the standard federal rate.
• Strong organizational, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to change, and work independently.
• Experience with cross-cultural communication or working with non-native English speakers, preferred.
• Proficient with computers and adaptable to learning new software.
• Team-oriented, collaborative, and eager to learn from others. 

Physical Demands
This job will present occasional opportunities to participate in farm work, including walking, standing, reaching, stooping, squatting, lifting up to 50 lbs and working indoors and outdoors in cold, hot, or wet conditions. Ability to navigate rugged and uneven farm terrain is required.

Work Location
This position is based out of Cultivate KC’s main office at 4049 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite #206, KCMO 64111. Local travel is required, and some work will take place at the Juniper Gardens Training Farm at 100 Richmond Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101. Some work can be performed remotely; guidance will be provided after hiring.  

Workplace Culture

At Cultivate KC, we:

• Collaborate
• Care for each other, our work, and our community
• Promote a healthy balance between our work and our personal life
• Are adaptive, creative, open to learning
• Take time for organizational self-reflection
•  Practice transparency with each other and with those we serve
• Agree that food systems work should be fun and bring joy to ourselves and our communities 

To Apply

Please send 1) a cover letter indicating why you are interested in working with Cultivate KC and what experience you bring to the position and 2) your resume to jobs@cultivatekc.org. First priority interviews will be given to applicants that submit materials by July 9, 2025, with an anticipated start date in August.