STEP Eligibility

• Current Opportunities:

  AGRO, Kiev, Ukraine, June 6-9, 2018

  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.

  Petfood Forum Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, March 27-29, 2018

  Kansas is home to numerous pet food manufacturing companies that contributed $7.98 billion to the state economy in 2016. The KDA plans on taking five eligible small businesses within the pet food and pet care industries to Petfood Forum Asia and co-located Victam International Show in March, 2018.

  21^st Century: Food, Feed and Fuel for a Rapidly Changing World, Cape Town, South Africa, April 9-13, 2018

  The opportunity for Kansas sorghum seed companies is leveraged on international growth. Sorghum in the 21^st Century: Food, Feed and Fuel for a Rapidly Changing World is anticipated to convene over 500 sorghum value chain stakeholders from around the world. The conference will allow sorghum seed companies to build relationships and lay the groundwork for sorghum seed exports. The conference will take place April 9-13, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. The KDA will take six eligible small businesses on this trade mission.

  Beef Australia, Rockhampton, Australia, May 6-12, 2018

  The beef cattle sector has been and continues to be the single largest sector in the Kansas agriculture industry and is recognized nationally and globally. Australia’s national beef expo is one of the world’s great beef cattle events and is held just once every three years in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. Beef Australia 2018 will be held from May 6 to 12 and will be a celebration of all facets of the Australian beef industry. It will facilitate new trade and export opportunities by exposing the local supply chain to the international industry leaders.

  Vietnam, aquaculture focused trade mission, August 21-25

  The aquaculture industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in agriculture and will be essential to meet the future demand for seafood products. Feed manufacturing is an important piece of the growing aquaculture sector and of the state’s agriculture economy. KDA will lead a group of six eligible small businesses from the aquaculture and feed manufacturing sectors to visit Vietnam. 

  
  

  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