More than $13M in New Funding Supports Conservation Stewardship for Colorado Farmers and Ranchers

Colorado's agricultural community is set for a major boost, with the Department of Agriculture securing $13.7 million from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to help agricultural producers tap into emerging markets while championing the conservation practices that define Colorado's working lands.

"Agriculture is essential to our way of life in Colorado, and anytime we can offer more support to our farmers and ranchers we are investing in our future success. Our farmers and ranchers are leaders in conservation and protecting the lands we love. This funding will strengthen that work and support more participation in these efforts," said Governor Jared Polis.

Formerly known as the Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities, the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) funding is focused on expanding markets for Colorado agricultural commodities grown with conservation practices. All funding will be in the form of direct-to-producer grants, with funding amounts between $20,000 and $300,000, depending on the program. The funding is expected to cover two years of grants.

"This is real money in the pockets of Colorado's farmers and ranchers who are using soil health practices in their land management to make their operations more profitable and the land healthier," said Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. "This funding will help agricultural producers build more resilient operations that can withstand the challenges of a changing climate. By using this year's tough growing season as an example of what we have to prepare against, this funding will help farmers and ranchers get ready for a drier future."

Over the past year, CDA has worked with NRCS to design a program that meets both state and federal goals while supporting the stewardship goals of Colorado producers.

This funding will be directed through existing CDA grant programs including: Colorado Proud, Colorado State Conservation Board grants, the Colorado Soil Health Program SHOW grants, the Climate Resilience Grant Program, Climate Smart Markets Program, the Noxious Weeds Program, and the Urban Agriculture Program.

"Bringing AMP funding to Colorado is a major success for Colorado's farmers and ranchers, particularly considering the many challenges the agricultural industry faces," said Evanne Caviness, Director of CDA's Conservation Services Division. "With this funding, Colorado's producers will receive critical financial support to do what they do best: feed our nation while stewarding the working lands that make our state the incredible place that it is."

Colorado farmers and ranchers are excellent stewards of private and public lands, and this funding will help cover the cost and reduce the risk of implementing conservation practices while finding and developing new markets for crops grown with these practices. Soil conservation practices include, but are not limited to, cover-cropping, reduced or no till, irrigation water management, noxious weeds management, rotational grazing, and nutrient management. All these practices have been shown to increase soil health, reduce erosion and improve water retention, and help with carbon sequestration.

Given the focus on new and emerging markets, this funding creates a unique opportunity for a partnership between CDA's Conservation Services and Markets Division. The divisions will work together to help producers both grow commodities with conservation practices as well as access new and emerging markets.

The AMP funding directly supports the CDA's multi-year strategic plan by advancing two of the department's five strategic directions: Environmental Stewardship and Climate Resilience, and Market and Economic Productivity. This program empowers producers to adopt and scale conservation practices-such as soil health and water conservation-while simultaneously helping them access and succeed in new, emerging markets for climate-smart commodities. The funding directly advances the department's Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) by supporting National and International Market Access, which focuses on expanding market opportunities for producers, and Advancing the Colorado Water Plan, which prioritizes water resiliency and soil health initiatives.