1

What's New with the Soil Health Program?

Upcoming Events 

Ag Stewardship Tax Credit Webinar
January 9th | 10:00am - 11:30am | Zoom

Learn about the upcoming Agricultural Stewardship Tax Credit and provide feedback about how you think the program should run. There will be two webinars: 

REAP for CO Producers Webinar 
January 16th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Zoom 

Learn about the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program. And learn about how CDA is providing technical assistance to producers interested in applying for REAP grants for on-farm energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. See here for more upcoming webinars. 

Colorado Farm Show
January 28-30th | Greeley, CO

One of the oldest and largest farm shows in the country, this three-day event features almost 350 ag-related exhibits and draws more than 30,000 visitors from throughout the region interested in learning more about ag products, services, and machinery.

High Plains No-Till Conference
February 4-5th | Burlington, CO

This year’s High Plains No-Till Conference, put on by the Colorado Conservation Tillage Association, features Allen Williams, Roy Pfaltzgraff, and Don Day Jr. as keynote speakers. There will be more than 40 educational sessions on topics related to soil health, no-till, regenerative grazing, farm business management, and more.

Master Irrigator Courses
Multiple Dates and Locations

A comprehensive 4-week educational course, graduates are eligible to receive incentives and discounts:

  • Republican River, Mondays in January
  • Arkansas Valley, Thursdays in January
  • Delta Mesa, Tuesdays in February
  • San Luis Valley, 100 level starts January 6th
  • San Luis Valley, 200 level starts February 10th
  • Dates for South Platte and Four Corners TBD
Email cda_soil@state.co.us to have your event featured here!

 

Grants & Other Soil Health Engagement Opportunities

CSU Study on Soil Health and Farmer Health

Dr Morgan Valley at CSU is studying the linkages between soil health and farmer health. To participate you must be a farmer who is 18 years old or older. Fill out the confidential eligibility survey to determine if you are eligible for an interview. 

Kiss the Ground Regenerative Transition Grants

Kiss the Ground's Regenerative Transition Grants aim to support farmers of diverse backgrounds in their regenerative journeys. Their Training Grant will cover $1,000 of tuition costs for in-person training with the Savory Institute or Soul Fire Farm. Applications are open until 150 spots are filled. 

CAWA Drought Resiliency Program Requests Proposals 
Applications Due by January 8th

This grant cycle will provide $3 million in funding to support up to ten two-year projects to help communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change. The grant program will fund projects that measure, prevent, or reduce pollution to protect public health or restore the environment.

Boulder County Soil Health Initiative Grant
Applications Due by January 10

The Boulder County Healthy Soils Initiative aims to improve soil health and promote a local, sustainable, and resilient food system. This opportunity is for local agricultural producers who operate on leased Boulder County Park and Open Space land, private land, or both.

Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program Funding Opportunity
Open through Jan. 31, 2025 (for 2024 expenses)

The USDA is expanding the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program to now include medium-sized businesses in addition to small businesses. Eligible specialty crop growers can apply for assistance for expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification.

Zero Foodprint 

The Zero Foodprint logo is a circle with a hand carrying a serving tray that holds a globe.

Winner of the James Beard "Humanitarian of the Year" Award, Zero Foodprint (ZFP) is a nonprofit mobilizing the food world around agricultural climate solutions. Learn about their work and apply for the Restore Grant here.


Watch: Restore Colorado Producer Webinar
Watch: Restore Program Webinar June 2023

 

Hold Your Ground logo which features a pair of hands holding a sprouting plant and the CDA logo which features a red barn.Soil Health at Work

Hold Our Ground Film Series

The first episode in a three-part documentary film series highlighting the innovative work of Colorado producers in building healthy soil and more resilient agricultural systems. 
Watch here: 

E1: Farmers on Soil Heath 

E2: Ranchers on Soil Health

E3: Hold Our Ground
 

Audubon Rockies 

With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Audubon Conservation Ranching staff helped enhance soil and reseed native plants on a degraded pasture of the Rafter W Ranch, an Audubon-certified ranch in eastern Colorado. These restoration techniques help the ranch retain water, which should increase its drought resilience and long-term biodiversity. Monitoring during the first growing season found increased plant growth and reduced soil compaction. 
Learn about a soil restoration project through the Conservation Ranching Initiative: Rafter W Ranch Article & Video