The business development team works to grow the Kansas agriculture industry and economy. The team works with any farmer, rancher, or agribusiness that wants to expand in size or product offerings. The team works to attract farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses to Kansas to conduct business; whether with a complete relocation or expansion of an additional location. The business development team connects people, works through regulatory requirements, navigates support and incentive options for interested parties, and creates business plans which promote and benefit Kansas agribusinesses.

The team brings a wide range of agricultural experience to the table that makes us well suited for working with private industry. Experience includes: livestock production, processing, and meat marketing; grain production, storage, and processing; farmers’ market sales and promotion; banking, finance, and budgeting; and workforce preparation, management, and leadership. The team looks forward to putting their skills to work for Kansas agriculture every day.

Licensing Guides

Starting a new business? Looking to expand your business? Look no further. 

Kansas Department of Agriculture Licensing Guides have been created to identify some of the licenses and permits required by agencies involved in opening and operating Kansas businesses.

In addition to licenses required by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, local or federal government agencies may have additional regulations to follow when starting your business. Contact your local planning authority to ensure you follow all local business development laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.

Heartland Regional Food Business Center

The Heartland Regional Food Business Center is dedicated to helping farm and food enterprises start up, grow, and connect with local and regional markets. The Center is funded to work across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, northwest Arkansas, and a designated tribal trade coalition and is comprised of 14 key partners and more than a dozen collaborating organizations. Funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture supports the business center’s core services – technical assistance, resource coordination, and building local and regional food system capacity.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is a technical service provider under the Center and provides training and consulting in marketing and licensing and permitting of food-based businesses in Kansas. If you would like to receive technical assistance through the Center, please fill out this form. 

Business Building Subaward Grant Program

The Business Builder Grants Program is a brand-new, regionally-managed funding program designed to support farm and food businesses to strengthen the viability of their businesses and overcome barriers to market access and expansion. Business Builder Subaward grants will be integrated with business counseling offered by Heartland Regional Food Business Center partners. Awards will range from $5,000 to $50,000.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Read more at https://heartlandfoodbusiness.org/usda-non-discrimination-statement/.