Boulder County Soil Health Initiative

Boulder County's largest producer grant: $400,000 a year for farmers and ranchers on private land in Boulder County to adopt USDA soil-health principles — no/reduced till, cover crops, rotational grazing/crop rotation, livestock integration, keeping a live root. Projects run $40,000-$100,000, reimbursed against receipts over a 12-month grant period. Applicants list NRCS Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry mitigation activities by code and acreage; bonus points for FSA enrollment, buyer engagement and willingness to partner with Zero Foodprint for additional funds. Partners: CDA, CSU Extension, OpenTEAM, Zero Foodprint, Wolfe's Neck Center.

Applicants must have been operating a farm or ranch in Boulder County for at least two years; one application per applicant; private land prioritized (county-leased BCPOS land handled via the BCPOS Healthy Soils page); no start-ups (<1 year); prior awardees must wait two years to reapply; ineligible uses: debt repayment, overhead over 10%, legal/loan fees, subsidizing existing contracts, labor for existing programs, travel.

Reimbursement-based on receipts/invoices (4-6 weeks); funds must be spent within the 12-month grant period; project must start within 3 months of agreement; Boulder County funding must be acknowledged in publicity; no appeals.

Published amounts: Up to $400,000 in grants are available for agricultural producers who farm or ranch on private land. .. There is $400,000 available for the Soil Health Initiative grant program. Packet: Eligible projects must be between $40,000 and $100,000 in total budget.

Review the Soil Health Initiative Application Packet, then apply online at https://bouldercounty.formstack.com/forms/boco_soil_health\_initiative during the window (July 20 - Aug. 24, 2026); attach a project budget; optional InClime 50%-AMI income verification earns up to 2 evaluation points. Questions: Tim Broderick (private land) or Vanessa McCracken (BCPOS land).

Deadline text on the page: The Soil Health Initiative application for private lands will be open July 20 through Aug. 24, 2026. (packet: Applications must be received by 11:59 P.M. MST on Aug. 24, 2026.) Funds the 2027 program year; next window expected July 2027.