Climate-smart agriculture

Climate Smart Market Expansion Funding Open for Colorado Ag Businesses

In its second round of funding, the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Climate Smart Market Expansion Project is now accepting proposals for pilot projects that increase demand and create premiums for agricultural products grown using climate smart practices. Climate smart practices are associated with improved soil health, optimized water usage, more diverse and beneficial ecosystems, and/or reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Colorado Climate Smart Food and Beverage Businesses to be Featured at Newtopia Now

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is sponsoring six local food and beverage companies and one regional buyer-grower coalition to exhibit at Newtopia Now, a major natural products trade show taking place August 20-22, 2025, in Denver. Selected through a competitive application process, these businesses source—and help promote the unique benefits associated with—high-quality agricultural products raised using climate smart practices. 

Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Grant Now Open

The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Grant Program is open for applications. Now in its third year, this program provides funding for projects that research and demonstrate the use of solar energy production on agricultural land.

How’s Your Soil Health? Get a Rating (and more!) with the New STAR Tool

Ever wondered how your field’s soil health is doing? Bring the doctor to your field with the new STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources) Tool. Using an online application, Colorado producers can find out how their field ranks on a nationally recognized scale that assesses the health of their soil. The free, straightforward, easily interpretable score reflects the many beneficial practices producers can implement to improve their soil health.

New Climate Smart Market Expansion Funding Available for Colorado Ag Businesses

To promote market development and increase production capabilities for climate smart commodities and other agricultural products, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is now accepting proposals for the Climate Smart Market Expansion Project. These competitive awards will support pilot projects that increase demand and create premiums for agricultural products grown using climate smart practices. Proposals are being accepted as Documented Quotes through the Colorado Vendor Self Service (VSS) website. 

CDA Receives Funding to Train Next Generation of Conservation Leaders

The Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB), which provides guidance to the Department of Agriculture, has been awarded more than $375,000 to fund nine Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) positions across the state. Five Colorado Conservation Districts will participate in the program, providing opportunities for nine student technicians to experience on-the-job-training and learn more about conservation career opportunities.

$500,000 Awarded to Innovative Projects Bringing Solar Power Generation and Agriculture Together

For the second year in a row, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) awarded $500,000 through the Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration grant, funding six projects that demonstrate the technology and benefits of agrivoltaics in Colorado. 

By growing food and developing energy on the same parcel of land, agrivoltaics is an important component of both the state’s renewable energy goals and fostering a resilient agricultural system in Colorado.

Governor Polis Announces Funding for Agrivoltaics Grants to Help Colorado’s Agriculture Industry Benefit from Solar Technology

On Dec. 19 at CSU-Spur, Governor Polis and Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) Commissioner Kate Greenberg awarded $500,000 in grants to seven projects that demonstrate the use and benefits of agrivoltaics, the simultaneous use of land for solar energy production and agriculture. These grants distributed by the Polis administration will provide funding to incorporate innovative technology that supports Colorado’s producers to operate in the face of challenges created by climate change and prepare the next generation.