Farmers markets are in full swing this summer, bringing fresh food to communities. These markets, along with food hubs and other local food businesses, play an important role in rural economies. However, connecting with new consumers isn’t always easy for producers. The Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) can help.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), LAMP was created in the 2018 farm bill to strengthen local and regional food systems. It combines several USDA programs that help farmers and food businesses grow their operations and reach new markets. These include the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) and the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program.

FMLFPP includes two sub-programs. The Farmers Market Promotion Program helps start and improve direct-to-consumer outlets like farmers markets, community supported agriculture, and roadside stands. The Local Food Promotion Program supports food hubs, distributors, and other businesses that move locally produced food from farms to buyers such as schools, grocery stores, and restaurants. For both programs, grant funds are awarded to organizations who then provide education and technical assistance to producers and food businesses.

VAPG helps agricultural producers expand their businesses through value-added products and services by awarding grants directly to farmers and ranchers. Funding can be used to generate new products and create or expand marketing opportunities that help producers generate additional income.

Programs like LAMP are key to building a food system that works for farmers and consumers alike. Over time, these projects increase income for small and mid-sized farms, improve access to healthy food, and support job growth in rural areas. As markets grow and communities look for more local food options, continued congressional investment in programs like LAMP will remain essential.

To learn more about the program and associated funding opportunities, visit ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lamp.

By Kalee Olson, policy manager, Center for Rural Affairs

Established in 1973, the Center for Rural Affairs is a private, nonprofit organization working to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities through action oriented programs addressing social, economic, and environmental issues.

Grain growers in central Kansas who plan to campaign for a seat on one of the state’s five grain commodity commissions — corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat or sunflowers — should be gathering petition signatures now to meet the November 30, 2025, filing deadline. Voting will take place in January-February 2026. The 2026 election will cover districts IV, V, VI — or the central third of Kansas.

District IV: Clay, Cloud, Jewell, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Republic, Rooks, Smith, and Washington counties.
District V: Barton, Dickinson, Ellis, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Marion, McPherson, Rice, Rush, Russell, and Saline counties.
District VI: Barber, Comanche, Edwards, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Kiowa, Pawnee, Pratt, Reno, Sedgwick, Stafford, and Sumner counties.

To be eligible to run, candidates must have been actively engaged in growing that commodity (corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat or sunflowers) within the preceding five years and must reside in and represent the district where they maintain their primary residence. To be included on the 2026 ballot, candidates must gather 20 signatures from eligible growers, with no more than five signatures from any one county. Eligible growers are Kansas residents who will be at least 18 years old by January 1, 2026, and who have actively grown corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers or wheat for the last three years.

Candidates may choose to collect signatures either on paper or online, or by using a combination of both. The online petition portal is available at: https://portal.kda.ks.gov/enrollment/CommoditiesCandidatePetition. After creating an account, candidates will receive a unique URL to share with eligible signors, who can then provide their contact information and sign the petition electronically. Paper candidate registration packets are also available from the Kansas Department of Agriculture or the grain commodity commissions.

Commodity commissions are grower-led organizations committed to supporting the economic viability of their industries and fostering continuous improvement in their respective commodities. Commissioners serve three-year terms, which will begin on April 1, 2026. They oversee how check-off funds are invested in areas of market development, education, promotion, and research.

For more information on Kansas commodity commissions, including voter registration, please visit the Kansas Department of Agriculture website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/CommodityCommissions.

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Filing Now Open for Commodity Commission Candidates.pdf