What's New with the Soil Health Program?
Upcoming Events
Cheatgrass Management Workshop | July 16th, 8 am to Noon | Longmont, CO
Learn more about the ecology of cheatgreass and different management techniques from specialists at Colorado parks & Wildlife, Envu, and Alligare. Ends with a field tour of Rejuvra plots. RSVP by calling 970-427-3358 or 720-361-6418.
SLV Farmer to Farmer Field Day | July 19th, Noon to 4:30 pm | Monte Vista, CO
This free event is hosted by the Mosca-Hooper Conservation District and will feature innovative water conservation practices in the San Luis Valley. Visit three farms and ranches working on water conservation and participate in idea sharing. Lunch will be provided and Spanish interpretation will be available. RSVP by emailing moscahoopercd1@gmail.com or calling 319-217-0679.
2025 CSU San Luis Valley Field Days | July 23-24, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | Center, CO
Potato Day - July 23
Learn about the potato research projects at the SLVRC in variety development, disease management, and agronomic best practices. Held at the San Luis Valley Research Center (249 E County Road 9 N, Center).
Alternative Crops Day - July 24
Learn about dry beans, corn, forages, and oilseeds and other crops new to the San Luis Valley. Held at the San Luis Valley Research Center (249 E County Road 9 N, Center).
Email cda_soil@state.co.us to have your event featured here!
Grants & Other Soil Health Engagement Opportunities
USDA Emergency Commodity Assistance Program | Applications open until August 15
The Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) provides economic assistance payments to eligible agricultural commodity producers for the 2024 crop year. USDA’s Farm Service Agency is issuing up to $10 billion in direct payments to eligible agricultural producers. These one-time economic assistance payments will help commodity producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.
Zero Foodprint
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
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:
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
Resources
- Fact Sheet on Soil Analyses from CSU
- Soil Health Primer from CDA and Acres USA
- Visit CDA Soil Health YouTube channel for our practice implementation webinar series.
- ACRES USA
- CSU Extension
- Colorado Collaborative for Healthy Soils
- Farmers for a Sustainable Future
- NRCS Soil Health Factsheets
- Quivira Coalition
- Soil Health Institute
- Western SARE