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Colorado Soil Health Program

Soil Health Program Background

The Colorado Soil Health Program supports farmers and ranchers to improve their soil quality. CDA partners with conservation districts and local eligible entities to provide financial and technical assistance to producers. Farmers can enroll at any stage of their soil health journey, and get support to experiment with healthy soil practices on a portion of their operation.

From 2021-2023, CDA enrolled more than 200 farmers and ranchers in the Colorado Soil Health Program, leading to new soil health practices on 11,707 acres. 
 

To enroll in the Colorado Soil Health Program, please contact your local conservation district, one of the eligible entities listed below, or contact CSHP

Soil Health Program Enrollment
 

The Colorado Soil Health program is focused on the five principles of soil health:

  • Soil armor; 
  • Minimizing soil disturbance; 
  • Plant diversity; 
  • Continual live plant/root; and
  • Livestock integration

The program encourages producers to evaluate the specific context of their operation and field, decide what resources or practices they want to focus on, and then provides up to $5000/year matching funds to implement the farmer’s chosen practices. Participants gain familiarity and expertise with new practices and an increased understanding of the environmental and economic outcomes associated with them.

The Colorado Soil Health Program (CSHP) also provides equipment grants, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, field day support, and funds CSU Extension and CSU Ag Experiment Station staff to provide additional technical support. Participants also do a STAR Field Evaluation, receive two soil tests, and a soil moisture monitoring system for their enrolled field.

CSHP has received generous funding through Colorado state stimulus funds, NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant, USDA Climate Smart Commodities Grant,  Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE), the Wallace Foundation and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. CDA appreciates all our partner’s support. 

 

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Soil Health Program Local Partners

Watch Us Grow! The map below shows conservation district participation in the Colorado Soil Health program.

Color coded map of program participants in the State of Colorado.