Promoting Specialty Crops in Missouri Schools

The Missouri Grown program is providing up to $1,000 reimbursement per semester (see timeline below) to registered Missouri schools and Early Childcare Education Centers (ECE) to cover the purchase of consumable specialty crops from a Missouri farmer between April 1, 2022 and September 28, 2024. The purchase and educational activity must be completed by September 28, 2024 and all paperwork submitted to MDA by October 15, 2024. Multiple reimbursements can take place within the semester as long as they do not go over the $1,000 maximum within the semester.

Schools/ECEs are reimbursed on a first come first serve basis and can reimbursed until the funds are exhausted. Schools/ECEs must collect paid itemized invoices or receipts from farmers with a proof of payment. See invoice examples.

Each school/ECE is required to complete one educational activity about specialty crop production linked below. It is highly encouraged, but not required, that this activity include the Missouri farmer. The consumable specialty crop can be for taste testing, the educational activity, served in regular school meals and/or saved for later use. The educational survey has space to collect this information on the use of the specialty crops. The specialty crop can NOT be sent home with students.

An Early Childcare Education Center must be found on the Childcare Provider Search.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture must receive all paperwork by October 15th, 2024.

To be considered for reimbursement

1. Complete application
2. Submit paid (zero balance) itemized invoice from Missouri farmer and proof of payment which must include:
3. The invoice must include: Business Name, Address, Contact Person, Date of Purchase, Items purchased, Quantity of each item, Price per Unit of Each Item and the Total and signatures of customer and farmer. See invoice examples.
4. Submit completed Specialty Crop Education Survey
5. For reimbursement payment schools must register in MissouriBuys

Resources

• Definition of specialty crop
• Where can I find farmers near me?
• Where can I find a farmers’ market near me?
• National Ag in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix
• Missouri Ag in the Classroom
• Ag Ed on the Move
• Grow It, Try It, Like It
• Growing with MO
• MO DESE Farm to School
• MU Extension Farm to School