Applications open now for small farm and food business funding

Local food entrepreneurs from rural Kansas and western Missouri are eligible 

APPLETON CITY, MO — Food and farm businesses in eligible rural counties in Kansas and western Missouri, including Bates County, will soon have access to new funding designed to help local food products move from farm to market. 

Harvest to Market grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 for projects that strengthen businesses serving local and regional food markets.  

Approximately $1 million in total funding is available through the program.  

Applications are due August 31, 2026, by noon Central Time. 

The Harvest to Market grant is part of the Heartland Regional Food Business Coalition’s work to ensure small food and farm businesses have the right resources at the right time as they work to meet increasing demand for locally produced and raised food. It is designed to support food and farm enterprises that are ready to expand market access, improve processing capacity, strengthen distribution systems, increase storage infrastructure, or invest in marketing and product development. 

"Many local food businesses have strong products and strong market demand for their products. But they often need help with the next step — the equipment, systems processing, and infrastructure distribution that allow them to reach more customers and larger markets," said Katie Nixon, Food Systems Director at New Growth. As part of their work with the Heartland Food Business Coalition, New Growth administers the Harvest to Market grant. "The Harvest to Market grant is intended to help businesses make those strategic investments." 

Funding Priorities 

The program focuses on post-harvest and go-to-market investments that help local food businesses grow and serve regional markets more effectively. 

Examples include: 

• Processing equipment 

• Cold storage and refrigeration 

• Distribution and delivery equipment 

• Packaging and labeling improvements 

• Marketing and branding investments 

• Online sales platforms 

• Logistics and supply chain systems 

• Product development 

• Value-added food processing 

 

Additional consideration will be given to projects that create shared benefits across multiple farms or food businesses, including collaborative distribution, aggregation, and market development efforts. 

Who Can Apply? 

Eligible applicants include: 

• Farms and ranches 

• Food producers 

• Farmers markets 

• Food hubs 

• Aggregators and distributors 

• Value-added processors 

• Retail food businesses 

 
Nonprofits are not eligible to apply. Businesses must be located in eligible rural counties in Kansas or western Missouri. See our website for a map of the eligible counties.

No Match Required 

Unlike many grant programs, Harvest to Market does not require matching funds. 

Projects will operate on a partial reimbursement basis. Awardees will receive 60% of grant funds up front with 40% received after they have submitted their final report at the end of their project. 

Projects must be completed within six months. 

Building Regional Food Resilience 

The Harvest to Market Grant is part of a larger effort to strengthen local food economies, expand market opportunities for farmers and food entrepreneurs, and improve regional food value chain resilience. 

This project is supported in part by a grant to Heartland Food Business Coalition partner New Growth, working with The Kansas City Food Hub, The Food Circle, University of Missouri Extension, and other organizations in Kansas. 

Learn More 

Businesses interested in applying are encouraged to begin preparing now and to connect with a business counselor for support. 

For updates, eligibility information, and application details or to connect with a business counselor visit: heartlandfoodbusiness.org/harvest-to-market-grant/ 

About the Heartland Food Business Coalition 

The Heartland Food Business Coalition supports food and farm entrepreneurs across Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Northwest Arkansas through business assistance, market development, financing support, and regional collaboration. The coalition works to strengthen local and regional food systems while expanding economic opportunities for food and agricultural businesses. Heartlandfoodbusiness.org 

About New Growth

New Growth is a nonprofit in west central Missouri working to build small businesses, small farms, and small-town opportunities. newgrowthmo.org 

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Obituary - Terri Ann Ellis

Terri Ann (McCormick) Ellis left us early in the morning on Monday, June 8, 2026, at age 74,

Terri was born to Martin Russell McCormick and Lois Alene (Westerhold) McCormick in Wichita Falls, TX on May 22, 1952. Her father was serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, and Terri was born on the base hospital. Her arrival was premature and a bit of an emergency, so in the rush to get her mother prepared for the birth, her dad was left in the room. He quietly and unobtrusively leaned against the back wall and, unlike most of the men of his generation, was able to be at his daughter’s birth. Terri’s mother said she had put away $20 for the delivery and hospital stay, but because Terri came early, it cost $40. Her mom later said, “I shouldn’t have been surprised; kids always cost more than you think they will.”

Terri lived her early years with her parents in a tiny trailer near Richards-Gebaur Air Base in Grandview, Missouri and then in a little house on Walnut Street in Rich Hill, Missouri where the family settled after her father left the Air Force. In Rich Hill the family expanded to include a little brother, Don, which Terri was devoted to. She lived in Rich Hill for most of her school years. She loved the community, had many close friendships, and was sad to leave it at 16 when her father left work at Bendix to farm full-time. Her last two years of high school were at Butler High School in Butler, Missouri, where she graduated in 1970.

Terri married Lonnie Stephen Loyd in 1969, and they had three children. Sonita Loyd, Gregory Wayne Loyd, and Melissa Lavonia Loyd. Melissa lived only 12 hours, passing on Terri’s 21st birthday, a pain Terri carried her whole life. Sadly, the marriage did not last, but Lonnie and Terri shared an affection for each other that lasted throughout their lives.

On February 7, 1976, Terri married Bennie Lee Ellis and became the stepmother to Ben’s children Ben Jr. and Troy Dale. They lived throughout western and southern Kansas (Larned, St. Francis, Garden City, Girard, Fort Scott, Pittsburg, and Wichita) moving around first for Ben’s work and then for hers. They spent 29 years together until Ben’s passing in 2005. It was not always an easy marriage, but it was an extremely devoted one. She mourned him for the rest of her life and said she looked forward to seeing him again after so many years apart.

While Terri and Ben were married, she decided to continue her education. She was a bright student, both in elementary and secondary school, and she really shined in college, which she started when her children were also in college. She graduated from PSU with a BS in nursing, and she was very proud of her accomplishments as a non-traditional student, finishing her degree at age 39.

Terri had many jobs in her lifetime. She was a bit of restless spirit and liked to try new things. These are not all of her jobs, but they are a good sampling: server at a drive-in burger stand, nursing aid, factory worker, tax preparer, typist, waitress, Amway sales representative, nursing home activities director, cook, truck driver, and nurse. It was in nursing that Terri found her true calling. She loved everything about it, even the parts many would find unpleasant. Her work took her all over southern and central Kansas, and she often worked extra shifts in Kansas City hospitals, which she really enjoyed. Most of the time she worked at night, and she kept her night shift sleep schedule for the rest of her life.

After she became disabled and couldn’t nurse any longer, she began Uber driving, which she loved. She met so many interesting people, and she was proud of her ability to get them where they needed to go if they didn’t know the Wichita area. She had cold bottles of water ready for them when they got in the car, told them about attractions, and made sure they always felt welcome. Her mostly repeat customers told her how much they valued her.

Terri was a hard worker her whole life, though if something didn’t interest her, she could ignore it indefinitely. Her approach was part charming, part annoying, but those who loved her tolerated it. Her checkbook—not balanced. Doing laundry, what laundry? Housekeeping, let’s do it later. Thankfully, her husband was more interested in domestic chores. But her interests and talents were numerous, and she could do almost anything she decided to, often without much effort. She liked technology and was an early and frequent adopter of the newest gadgets. She was an expert at crocheting, loved to paint ceramics, decorated cakes beautifully, made jewelry and greeting cards, and was a very good cook. She also excelled at typing, could play the piano and sing, had lovely penmanship, possessed a great eye for arranging flowers, and really enjoyed writing. No one really knows if she was a good writer because she didn’t share it, but she wrote prolifically, though she never seemed to finish one notebook before starting another. Notebooks, especially pretty ones, were her thing.

And Terri loved to travel, which she did for many years on the truck with Ben, but their favorite place to visit was Branson. They often went there with family, seeing shows and eating at buffets, but she especially loved Silver Dollar City. She wanted to visit Branson again before she passed, but sadly it was not to be.

She was also an avid collector: porcelain dolls, jewelry, kitchenware (that she had no desire to use) office and craft supplies, carousel horses, native American and cowboy décor, and very colorful, sparkly clothing. It was suggested that she would love for people to show up at her funeral with hot glue guns and rhinestones to bedazzle the casket. And when she left us, she was in the possession of literally hundreds of fancy ink pens. She never met a pen she didn’t like or want to use, especially the pretty ones.

She also loved music. Elvis, Conway and Loretta, Reba, Brooks and Dunn, George and Tammy, Clint, Marty. She called them by their first names, and she talked about them like they were family. So annoying, also kind of sweet.

At the end of her life, she returned to Butler to live in a little brown house a mile from her mother’s. It was a house her grandparents had lived in, and she was grateful to be back near family. Unfortunately, her mobility decreased as her health needs increased, and she spent most of her last year at Butler Center in Bulter, Missouri. She had wonderful doctors in Butler and Kansas City, and she had the care she needed at Butler Center. She was pretty much confined to her room, but she was able to build friendships with staff and residents while there. She always had a tub of candy at the ready for a nurse, aid, or visitor, which made her a popular destination! At the end of her life, the nursing home staff were especially kind to her, and many quietly told her family that she was their favorite. She would have loved that! She also spent considerable time at Bates County Hospital, and the ambulance staff, ER staff, and nursing staff treated her so well on her many journeys there.

Those who left before Terri were her Grandma Hold (Eula Westerhold); Grandma Vernie (Verna McCormick) and Grandpa Pete (Forest McCormick); her Auntie Evelyn (Evelyn McCormick Dale and husband Lennie Dale); her Aunt Lorses (Delores McCormick Cronin); her first husband Lonnie Loyd; her second husband Bennie Ellis; her baby daughter Melissa Loyd; her baby sister Sheila McCormick; her baby brother Tommy McCormick; and her beloved Daddy, Martin McCormick. She leaves behind her mother Lois McCormick; her brother Donald McCormick and his wife Christine; her daughter Sonita Loyd; her son Greg Loyd and wife Brooke of New Hampshire and their children Ian and wife Priscilla, Jessica, Owen, and Ainsley; her stepsons Ben Jr Ellis wife Jackie and children Michael and Jared; and Troy Dale Ellis and daughters Courtney and Amber; as well as many step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was especially attached to her nephew Brad McCormick (Denver) and to Ben’s nieces and nephews, Jan, Brenda, Joyce, DeAnn, Jeannie, Lisa, and Kevin. If we have omitted anyone, it is unintentional.

The family would like to thank those people in her life who made things so much better for her in the last dozen years, as her health declined: Robert Snearly, Tina Turner, and Ruth Wix. She would have had a much less happy and much shorter life without their friendship and assistance.

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Important reminder from Butler Schools

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Weekly report from the Henry County Sheriff's Office

𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟’𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞

𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Sheriff Aaron N. Brown reports the following arrests and incidents for the week:

________________________________________

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐱 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫:

Deputy Hinkle and Deputy Caldwell conducted a follow-up investigation in the rural Deepwater area that resulted in the arrest of Michael Johnson, age 70, of Deepwater, for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭:

Deputy Hinkle conducted a warrant service in the Clinton area that resulted in the arrest of Royce Singleton, age 49, of Clinton, on two Henry County warrants for Harassment 1st Degree and Domestic Assault 2nd Degree / Assault 4th Degree.

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝/𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝:

Deputy England conducted a traffic stop in the rural Clinton area that resulted in the arrest of Ja’Mikael Scott, age 32, of Springdale, Arkansas, for Driving While Suspended/Revoked.

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧:

Deputy Murphy and Det. Landes conducted a traffic stop in the rural Clinton area that resulted in the arrest of Thomas Haas, age 44, of Blairstown, for Possession of an Illegal Weapon. Haas was allegedly found in possession of a prohibited weapon during the investigation.

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚:

Deputy Murphy and Det. Landes conducted a traffic stop in the rural Clinton area that resulted in the arrest of Nylonya Lucio, age 41, of Blairstown, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. During the investigation, Lucio was allegedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia and a suspected controlled substance. The suspected controlled substance was submitted to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory for analysis.

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚:

Sheriff Brown, Deputy Murphy, and Deputy McQueen conducted a suspicious person investigation in the Blairstown area that resulted in the arrest of Jacob Alewin, age 25, of Clinton, for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. During the investigation, Alewin was allegedly found in possession of suspected controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the new allegations, Alewine was served with a Henry County warrant for Trafficking Drugs – 2nd Degree, a Class B Felony, and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class D Felonies. Alewin currently remains in custody at the Henry County Detention Center. This investigation remains active and ongoing

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲:

Sheriff Brown, Deputy Evans, and Deputy Murphy responded to the rural Windsor area regarding a reported burglary in progress. During the investigation, deputies located the suspect vehicle in the Calhoun area, resulting in the arrest of Kenneth Turner, age 38, of Lincoln. Turner allegedly removed items from a residence before fleeing the scene. Turner was arrested on a 24-hour investigative hold for Burglary – 2nd Degree. Within the 24-hour hold period, the Henry County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, under Prosecutor Gray, filed formal charges and a warrant was issued for Burglary – 2nd Degree, a Class D Felony. Turner currently remains in custody at the Henry County Detention Center. This investigation remains active and ongoing.

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲:

Sheriff Brown, Deputy Evans, and Deputy Murphy responded to the rural Windsor area regarding a reported burglary in progress. During the investigation, deputies located the suspect vehicle in the Calhoun area, resulting in the arrest of Melinda Turner, age 38, of Lincoln. Turner allegedly removed items from a residence before fleeing the scene. Turner was arrested on a 24-hour investigative hold for Burglary – 2nd Degree. Within the 24-hour hold period, the Henry County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, under Prosecutor Gray, filed formal charges and a warrant was issued for Burglary – 2nd Degree, a Class D Felony. Turner currently remains in custody at the Henry County Detention Center. This investigation remains active and ongoing.

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝/𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝:

Deputy Hinkle conducted a traffic stop in the Windsor area that resulted in the arrest of Kalmon Roth, age 34, of Green Ridge, for Driving While Suspended/Revoked.

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝/𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝:

Deputy Saulters conducted a traffic stop in the Clinton area that resulted in the arrest of Nicholas Beck, age 25, of Urich, for Driving While Suspended/Revoked.

• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Detectives and Deputies with the Henry County Sheriff's Office, along with the Bates County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a follow-up investigation into a reported domestic assault that occurred in the rural Blairstown area.

As part of the investigation, investigators, led by Detective Landes and Deputy Murphy, obtained and executed a search warrant. During the operation, Wyatt Engel, age 23, of Blairstown, was arrested for Domestic Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action.

The investigation revealed Engel allegedly struck a victim with a firearm, causing serious physical injury.

The Henry County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Bates County Sheriff's Office and the Bates County Special Response Team (SRT) for their assistance during the execution of the search warrant and throughout this investigation.

________________________________________

All individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The above arrests are allegations at this time.

For additional information or to provide tips, contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 885-5587.

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BREAKING: Car vs motorcycle accident in west Butler

First responders are on the scene of a car vs motorcycle accident on the I-49 overpass on 52 highway. The scene is quite congested, please avoid the area if possible.

UPDATE- A single fatality has been confirmed. 


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Obituary - Terry Baker

Terry “Rusty” Dale Baker departed this world at the age of 78 on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.  He was born in Nevada, Missouri on March 29, 1948 to James Richard Baker Sr and Ruby Allene (Wardrip) Baker, as the youngest of four children.

    Rusty graduated from Nevada High School in 1966 and lived a long, happy life.  He met his soulmate, Sherie Beemer, in June of 1983 and went on to have her by his side until his passing.  There were 2 children born from this union, Jessica Baker and Dakota Baker.  He loved history, woodworking, and his KC Chiefs.  In his later years he came to enjoy photography, and his grandkids became his world.  Terry spent the majority of his life installing carpet/flooring and with this he also installed a hard work ethic in his kids from an early age.  They all learned his number one work rule to “not bleed on the carpet,” while working with him and to always get the job completed.

    He is survived by his life partner Sherie Beemer; his children, Russell Baker, Danny Beemer, Ryan Beemer, Jessica (Mike) Baker, and Dakota Baker; his 9 grandkids: Crystal Baker, Terrin (Edwin) Velazquez, Dana Volner, Nathanial Smith, Walter Dulaney V, Hayden Beemer, Emiley Beemer, Lynessa Baker, Christian Lopez; 5 great-grandkids; sister, Linda (Jerry) Owens; his half-sister Jami (Lonnie) Baker Dotson; half-brother, Jeff Baker; one step-sister, Melita McDermott; niece, Amanda Bearden; nephew, Doug Baker; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.

    He was preceded in death by his father, James R Baker Sr; mother, Ruby (Baker) Watts; brother, James “Bite” Baker Jr; brother, Don Baker; niece, Nikki Baker; niece. Lisa (Owens) Wittwer; nephew, Don Owens; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

     There will be a Celebration of Life held at a later date.

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Butler police seeking fleeing subject: Update, in custody

The Butler Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Christopher Forbes. Mr. Forbes fled from law enforcement on foot yesterday at approximately 1:00pm. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black hat, and no shirt.

He was last seen in the area of the South Park. If seen, do not approach Mr. Forbes. Contact the Butler Police Department at (660)679-6131

Attached is the most recent booking photo of Christopher Forbes.

Update 9 am June 12, in custody.


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Japanese beetles beginning to arrive in Missouri

Japanese beetles are beginning to emerge in Missouri.

Populations are low now but activity is expected to increase over the next two to four weeks. Early scouting helps guide timely management decisions.

What to look for:

• In soybeans, check multiple areas and estimate overall defoliation. Beetles often feed in the upper canopy, leaving a skeletonized look where only leaf veins remain.

• In corn, watch for beetles feeding on silks during pollination. Pay attention if silks are clipped very short, especially when beetle numbers are high and pollination is not complete.

Learn more and sign up to receive pest alerts: https://brnw.ch/21x3eSh

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