Show-Me Entrepreneurial Grants for Agriculture (SEGA) Innovation Grant Program

The application period for this program is now closed. Call if you have questions. Thank you.

Description

The SEGA Innovation Grant Program provides partial funding in the form of grants to producers, businesses, organizations, and cooperatives for facilities, equipment, upgrades, services, coordinated efforts and cooperative marketing directly supporting the growth of value-added agriculture in Missouri.

Applications will be considered to fund up to 75 percent of eligible project expenses including:

  • Expansion of existing facilities
  • Construction of a new facility
  • Equipment purchases for new or existing facilities
  • Consulting services, including the formation of a production or marketing cooperative
  • Marketing activities such as advertising campaigns and product promotion

How Does the Program Work?

Proposals will be selected on a competitive basis. Each proposal will be evaluated and rated using the following criteria:

  • Agriculture Economic Development Potential
  • Credibility and Near-Term Impact
  • Merit

Who is Eligible?

  • Applicant must be at least 18 years old
  • Missouri resident
  • Applicant may be groups of individuals, cooperatives, businesses, and organizations related to agriculture whose proposed value-added agricultural business concept is based in Missouri

Grant Amount and Terms

Grant applications will be considered to fund up to 75 percent of eligible project expenses.

The minimum grant award is $50,000 and the maximum grant award is $250,000.

Applicants are required to meet a minimum 25 percent cash match for a funded project.

Restrictions

The program does not provide funds for:

  • Operational costs such as payroll, supplies, utilities, inventory, insurance, and travel
  • Paying off existing debt
  • Salary for owners or current employees
  • Reimbursement for anything purchased prior to the date of grant award
  • Substituting existing efforts already underway
  • Indirect expenses
  • Buying land
  • Payment of fines or penalties, bad debts, and lobbying or entertainment expenses

Matching Funds 25% Example:

  Amount
Total Project Amount $100,000.00
Matching Funds $25,000.00
SEGA Grant Request $75,000.00

Matching Funds 50% Example:

  Amount
Total Project Amount $500,000.00
Matching Funds $250,000.00
SEGA Grant Request $250,000.00 (maximum request)

Application Timeline

Application Deadline: Two hard copy applications must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. October 4, 2024. Applications must be submitted to:

Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority
P.O. Box 630
1616 Missouri Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65102