NCBA CLUSA is pleased to announce that the association has received support to launch the Homegrown Prosperity initiative, a two-year effort focused on expanding cooperative education, readiness and early-stage development opportunities for rural communities in Kansas and Missouri. This project is supported in part by a 2025 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation.
The Homegrown Prosperity initiative will provide rural residents with access to cooperative development training, community-based technical assistance, and tailored support for groups exploring cooperative solutions to local economic and social challenges. Through collaboration with grassroots partners and local leaders, the initiative aims to strengthen rural resilience, expand economic opportunity, and build community-owned pathways to long-term prosperity.
“Cooperatives give communities a proven way to shape their own economic future,” said Cristine Nardi, director of U.S. Cooperatives and Economic Development at NCBA CLUSA.
“With support from The Patterson Family Foundation, the Homegrown Prosperity initiative will expand access to cooperative education, helping rural Americans explore community-owned solutions that strengthen resilience, create opportunity and keep wealth rooted locally.”
NCBA CLUSA will partner with the following organizations to implement this project:
- Kansas Farmers Union: Since 1907, Kansas Farmers Union has worked to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and their communities.
- Missouri Farmers Union: Missouri Farmers Union is a grassroots organization that works to protect the social and economic well-being of family farmers throughout Missouri.
- Common Ground Farmers and Producers: Since 2014, the Common Ground Mobile Farmers Market and Mobile Food Hub has made a significant impact on urban agriculture while providing fresh produce to food deserts and food-insecure areas in our region.
NCBA CLUSA will share updates on program activities, learning and impact throughout the grant period as cooperative-ready groups and communities participate in training, feasibility exploration and early-stage cooperative development milestones.