Grants

Jerome and Ann Wheeler love their work. But even more than that, they love the animals who put the “family” in family operations. 

The NextGen Leadership Grant Program, which supports the next generation in agriculture through scholarships, career development, and other leadership training opportunities, is now taking applications from agricultural organizations and educational institutions that support developmental and training opportunities for people going into the broad and diverse food and agricultural industry. The competitive grants will fund up to $25,000 per project with $120,000 in total funding available. 

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is committed to expanding access to learning and leadership opportunities for future generations in agriculture. In the fall of 2022, CDA announced the brand new NextGen Ag Leadership Program offering small grants to organizations advancing youth education and leadership in agriculture.  Through that new program, CDA awarded $186,820 to 13 organizations across the state as part of the NextGen Ag Leadership Program. 

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.

Producers who grow specialty crops can submit their applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA). CDA is accepting applications for the grant program in the form of a concept proposal through February 24, 2023.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture was the only Colorado project selected to receive one of 55 grants awarded in the America the Beautiful Challenge. CDA will receive $4 million for this project, which will support dozens of agricultural and conservation partnerships and prioritize five major watershed areas of Colorado.

The Markets Division of the Colorado Department of Agriculture has funds available to help Colorado companies apply for a federal grant that would increase meat processing capacity across our state. CDA will award up to $5,000 per Colorado business to hire a dedicated grant writer to help prepare applications for a yet-to-be announced Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) grant from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

Regenerating the land to produce food for their community is the main goal of Grama Grass and Livestock, a grass farming business that utilizes ruminant animals, specifically cattle, to improve soil health and boost forage capacity. Andy Breiter, owner of Grama Grass and Livestock, is himself an internship success story, as he began his career as an intern at the neighboring Golden Hoof Farm. 

Jolene Collins of Jojo’s Sriracha made a big leap of faith when she decided to move her specialty sriracha processing operation from Denver to Pueblo. Making the most authentic, delicious, local sriracha meant living and working only a few miles away from where her main ingredient, the legendary Pueblo chile, is grown.