Expanding the STAR Program Across Colorado and the West

Notice: _On April 14, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the cancellation of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC). The USDA plans to reform the program into the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative. Contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) for more information on how to apply to the AMP initiative. _

This project offers a comprehensive approach that empowers conservation districts and other eligible entities to help build climate-smart markets and provide technical assistance to a diverse range of producers; provides three years of financial and technical assistance to producers; quantifies and verifies climate benefits on behalf of producers; develops a rating as a market signal so participants earn more for products grown with healthy soil practices; and evaluates and validates carbon and soil-water research for the arid West. The project plans to use COMET-Planner to verify GHG benefits.

In addition, Colorado State University will study impact and adoption of climate-smart soil health practices. The project plans to use a STAR Rating System to market & receive premium for climate-smart products.

Branding opportunities for STAR related products will be used. The project plans to support multiple underserved producers with financial assistance.

To ensure equitable administration that includes small / underserved producers, improved understanding and awareness of climate-smart commodities among small and underserved producers, expand their access to participation and reduce market entry risk, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is partnering with Sangre de Cristo Acequia Association (SdCAA) and others to help guide recruitment and peer to peer learning.