USDA, Colorado Introduce Additional Conservation Practice to Address Regional Drought Concerns
The Republican River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
The Republican River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is now accepting applications from Colorado’s conservation districts and other eligible entities interested in administering STAR Plus grant funding to agricultural producers who expand or introduce soil health practices in their operations. Improving soil health, a key component of responding to the effects of climate change in agricultural landscapes, can improve available soil moisture, reduce agricultural runoff, decrease erosion, and support more productive, nutritious crops.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has finalized the grant agreement to significantly invest in Colorado’s STAR program for soil health.
To help Colorado’s agricultural industry mitigate the effects of the ongoing mega drought and improve the efficiency of agricultural water distribution systems, the Colorado Department of Agriculture awarded 21 competitive grants totaling more than $1.68 million to agricultural businesses, tribal organizations, water management entities, and watershed improvement projects across the state.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) joined together in strong support of $15,000,000 “high impact” stimulus funds in Governor Polis’ FY 2022-2023 budget to preserve agriculture, meet interstate river compact obligations, and reduce rural economic impacts in the Republican and Rio Grande River basins .
The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a competitive grant program to assist with projects that help Colorado anticipate, prepare for, mitigate, adapt to, or respond to any event, trend, or climatological disturbance related to drought or climate.
By Bethany Howell
On August 11 and 12, the Colorado Drought Task Force organized a Drought Tour through northwest Colorado in the Yampa River Basin to speak with producers, natural resource managers, local legislators, and other community members about the impacts of an ongoing drought in the region. The tour was geared towards helping legislators and other key policy makers understand the impacts of prolonged drought on Colorado’s northwest region (Routt and Moffat counties) and recognize how its effects impact all of Colorado.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2020
CWCB CONTACT
Sara Leonard
sara.leonard@state.co.us
(720) 670-0089
CDA CONTACT
Mary Peck
mary.peck@state.co.us
720-428-0441