For Natalie Ross, a Greenhouse Production intern for the City of Fort Collins, the path to her dream job in a botanic garden greenhouse became clearer with each seedling she transplanted. On a cloudy day in late April, Natalie was transplanting lettuce varieties into sixpack flats, readying them for the annual seedling sale at the Gardens on Spring Creek.
As climate change continues to increase the severity of weather related disasters like drought, severe storms and extreme wildfires, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is helping fund 15 projects for Colorado farmers and ranchers who are thinking outside the box to keep their operations profitable and adaptable through the new Climate Resilience Grant Program.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has awarded $300,000 in funding to five projects that demonstrate the technology and benefits of combining solar power generation with agriculture through the third round of the agency’s Agrivoltaics Research and Development grant.
The Colorado Department Agriculture (CDA) has selected four organizations and three educational institutions to receive NextGen Ag Leadership Grants for projects supporting educational, training, and leadership development opportunities for Colorado’s emerging food and agriculture leaders.
This year, CDA awarded more than $156,000 to seven grantees serving diverse populations across the state. Overall, the NextGen Ag Leadership Grant Program received 72 applications requesting nearly $1.5 million in funding.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has selected new organizations to receive grants for projects that advance equine welfare in Colorado. This year, nine applicants received a total of $200,000 to fund their projects. Overall, the Equine Welfare Assistance program received 32 applications requesting over $1 million in funding. This is the second round of funding distributed to Colorado organizations.
By Riley May, CDA Regional Assistant Commissioner
Originally published in the Kiowa County Independent (May 9, 2025)
Colorado farmers and ranchers are resilient. We never see a “normal” year.
One of our favorite lines around our operation is that we like to work in a climate-controlled environment because our environment is truly controlled by the climate.
Located in Longmont Colorado, Colorado Horse Rescue (CHR) has supported at-risk horses in Colorado since 1986. Last year CHR accepted 110 surrendered horses while adopting out 65 horses to new families. The organization helps horses in its care find new homes by offering training, veterinary and farrier care, nutritional support, and plenty of tender loving care.
Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office (ADCRO) announced new grant opportunities to support climate resilience projects within the state's agricultural sector.
“In Colorado we are committed to mitigating the risk associated with climate change, by investing in innovative clean energy technologies, and providing economic avenues for our farmers and ranchers to continue to provide healthy and fresh produce to all Coloradans for generations to come,” said Governor Polis.
Applications are open for this year’s cycle of the Equine Welfare Assistance Grants, offered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Welfare.
"The Division of Animal Welfare is committed to enhancing the welfare of all animals in the state of Colorado," said Joe Stafford, Director of the Division of Animal Welfare. "This grant allows us to enhance equine welfare throughout Colorado by funding projects and programs led by members of the equine community."
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.