Farmer Resources & Support

Farmers say one of the main reasons for joining our program is that they want the opportunity to network with other like minded farmers to share resources, troubleshoot problems, and brainstorm solutions. The Known & Grown community is built on the principles of trust, integrity, respect, community empowerment, and collaboration. Our farmers are expected to adhere to a set of Community Guidelines. Known & Grown facilitates virtual and in-person opportunities for farmers to network including on-farm tours and an annual gathering of farmers.

In 2020, we started coordinating bulk supply orders to lower overall costs for farmers, reducing shipping fees, and qualifying for discounted bulk ordering rates. This project lowers the barriers for successful farming by providing needed supplies at affordable prices. 

We provide connections and resources for the farmers in our program and our partners in the local food industry in order to increase the amount of local food sold and served within the St. Louis region. 

Known & Grown STL offers microgrants to farmers in our region to improve the environmental and conservation practices on their farms. Our intention is to remove a barrier for farmers to implement more practices that will improve our air and water quality and biodiversity.

In 2020, Known & Grown formed a Farmer Advisory Committee (FAC) to incorporate farmer leadership in program work and decision-making. In our transition to an independent organization in 2024, we formalized farmer leadership through our Board of Directors. We encourage farmers to serve on our Board. Learn more about our Board.

In 2021, Known & Grown STL launched a Mentorship Program for beginning and traditionally disadvantaged farmers seeking to improve or expand their environmentally-responsible practices and remove barriers for successful farming. Our three mentees — MOshrooms Regenerative Microfarm, Rustic Roots Sanctuary, and Tara’s Herbs — received tailored guidance and assistance from our Farm Specialist, Chris Wimmer. We hope to relaunch this project in the future. Our goal is to pair experienced Known & Grown member farmers with mentees and to assist farmers in implementing new conservation practices on their farm.

We have made the decision to pause the Delivery Service in 2026.

We began this service to give farmers the opportunity to get their products to buyers without taking time away from their farms and the added transportation costs, with the specific aim to serve beginning, women, and BIPOC farmers. While the service did benefit a small number of Known & Grown farmers, it did not accomplish our larger intended goals in a meaningful way and required a significant use of resources. We are taking some time to reflect on how best to use this infrastructure to support Known & Grown farmers.

The Known & Grown community is built on the the principles of trust, integrity, respect, community empowerment, and collaboration. All farmers in our program agree to follow these guidelines. In the event that a farmer is breaking these guidelines, a Community Guidelines Violation can be submitted.