STEP Eligibility

• Current Opportunities:

  AGRO, Kyiv, Ukraine, June 2019

  AGRO is the leading exhibition for agriculture, agriculture machinery, livestock farming, alternative energy, organic agriculture and food industry in Ukraine. Furthermore, AGRO is the largest agricultural exhibition of the CIS and Eastern Europe. KDA plans to lead a group of four eligible small businesses from the agriculture equipment manufacturing sector to visit Ukraine.

  Foro Mascotas Pet Food International, late May or early June 2019

  Foro Mascotas is the main event and networking of the pet food industry in Mexico and Latin America. It is aimed at entrepreneurs, managers and employees of the pet food industry as well as suppliers of ingredients, machinery and equipment, packaging, and veterinary doctors.
  
  Trade Mission to Thailand, date TBD
  
  Trade Mission to Africa, date TBD

  To Apply: Small- and medium-sized Kansas farms, ranches and agribusinesses are invited to apply to participate in the missions. To apply, download and review the following forms:

  • Kansas STEP Activity Application
  • STEP Export Readiness Questionnaire
  • SBA Form 1624 - Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion
  • SBA Certification- Small Business Concern

  For additional information about the STEP grant activities, please contact:

  Suzanne Ryan-Numrich
  International Trade Director
  Kansas Department of Agriculture
  1320 Research Park Drive
  Manhattan, KS 66502
  suzanne.numrich@ks.gov
  785-564-6704 (Office)

• Participant Eligibility

  The Kansas Department of Agriculture strives to include as many companies in the activity as possible, but participation is limited to ensure a productive experience for those who attend. Criterion for participation selection includes:

  • Relevance of a company’s business line to mission goals and stated market sectors of emphasis
  • Potential for business in the country
  • Provision of adequate information on the company’s products and/or services, and the company’s primary market objectives, to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners
  • Certification that the company meets Agriculture guidelines for participation. Generally this means a company should qualify as an SME (500 or fewer employees), and that their products or services should be either produced in Kansas and have at least 51% Kansas content of value of the finished product or service.
  • Must meet the SBA’s definition of a small or medium sized business. Please reference the SBA's Size Standards Table.
  • Participants must be willing to contribute at least $1000 towards their expenses for the trade mission
  • Participants must be willing to participate in media interviews, if requested
  • Participants must have a valid passport or be able to get a passport