Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Boulder County Department of the Environment

Review the Soil Health Initiative Application Packet, then apply online at https://bouldercounty.formstack.com/forms/bocosoilhealth_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.

Tim Broderick

Senior Sustainability Strategist

Vanessa McCracken

Resource Program Supervisor — Agriculture (applications that include BCPOS land)

General office (OSCAR)

General office (Parks & Open Space Agriculture)

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.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

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.

1. Please review the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund Application Packet. This includes a list of the application questions.
2. Submit the Online Application Form no later than Jan. 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. This form works best in Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
If you have any questions, please first check the Frequently Asked Questions. If you still have questions, contact Senior Sustainability Strategist, Tim Broderick at tbroderick@bouldercounty.gov.

Dede Croissant

Climate & Circularity Specialist

In November 2016, voters approved the Sustainability Tax ballot initiative, which allocates a portion of sales and use tax revenue to fund countywide sustainability infrastructure and programs. $50,000 of this tax fund is dedicated to the Sustainable Local Food and Agriculture grants.


This funding opportunity aims to provide private and nonprofit organizations in Boulder County the means to undertake sustainability priorities that&#x2004;benefit Boulder County's food system.


This program has changed from previous iterations of the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund, so please be sure to read the updated eligibility requirements. Soil health projects are no longer eligible under the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund. If you are looking for soil health funding, please visit the Boulder County Soil Health Initiative.


Please see the 2022 Sustainability, Climate Action, & Resilience Plan for more information on Boulder County's Food and Agriculture Goals.



In November 2016, voters approved the Sustainability Tax ballot initiative, which allocates a portion of sales and use tax revenue to fund countywide sustainability infrastructure and programs. $50,000 of this tax fund is dedicated to the Sustainable Local Food and Agriculture grants.

This funding opportunity aims to provide private and nonprofit organizations in Boulder County the means to undertake sustainability priorities that benefit Boulder County's food system.

This program has changed from previous iterations of the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund, so please be sure to read the updated eligibility requirements. Soil health projects are no longer eligible under the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund. If you are looking for soil health funding, please visit the Boulder County Soil Health Initiative.

Please see the 2022 Sustainability, Climate Action, & Resilience Plan for more information on Boulder County's Food and Agriculture Goals.

The 2026 Sustainable Food and Ag. Fund is open to projects that fall under one or more of the following categories:
- Farmer/producer education, conferences, and workshops that focus on sustainable and regenerative agriculture demonstrations;
- Farmer’s market infrastructure;
- Sustainable local food and crop processing; and/or
- Programmatic and resource support for frontline farm workers and organizations.
- Any registered business, official non-profit organization, or government entity can apply for funding. Grants can range from $10,000 to $25,000. 

Complete list of previously awarded projects

Air Quality

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Reduced Tillage

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Farmers Market

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Trade Relief

Conservation

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Water Management

Local Food

Food Systems

Historically Underserved

Grants can range from $10,000 to $25,000 per project. $50,000 of Boulder County's Sustainability Tax fund is dedicated to the Sustainable Local Food and Agriculture grants for the 2026 round. This program has changed from previous iterations — the old small/large budget tier structure ($2,000-$150,000) no longer applies, and soil health projects are no longer eligible (see the Boulder County Soil Health Initiative instead). Applicants may submit only one application per cycle. If you received an award, you must wait two years before applying again. Funds cannot be used to reimburse costs already incurred, to pay existing staff for work already performed, or for public-lands projects (funding is prioritized for private lands). Businesses in operation for less than one year (start-ups) are not eligible.

List of Boulder County Department of the Environment Funding Opportunities