The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) is now accepting applications for funding through the Show-Me Entrepreneurial Grants for Agriculture (SEGA) Innovation Grant Program. The SEGA Innovation Grant Program was created in 2019 by the Missouri Food, Beverage, and Forest Products Manufacturing Task Force, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. Grants are funded by an appropriation from the Missouri General Assembly to encourage value-added agriculture innovation in the state.
The program provides funding in the form of grants to producers, businesses, organizations and cooperatives for facilities, equipment, upgrades, services, coordinated efforts and cooperative marketing directly related to increasing value-added agriculture.
The minimum grant award is $50,000 and the maximum grant award is $250,000. Recipients are required to meet a minimum 25% cash match for funded projects. Missouri entities seeking to add value to agricultural products may submit applications until Oct. 4, 2024.