The Soil Health Initiative supports farmers and ranchers who choose to improve soil health and promote a local, sustainable, and resilient food system. Projects must align with USDA soil health principles, such as minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing soil cover, increasing plant diversity, and incorporating livestock. Up to $400,000 in grants are available for agricultural producers who farm or ranch on private land.
The Soil Health Initiative application for private lands will be open July 20 through Aug. 24, 2026.
This program compliments Boulder County’s Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund, which focuses on education, market infrastructure, processing, and support for frontline farm workers.
The Boulder County Soil Health Initiative is possible thanks to partnerships with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado State University Extension, OpenTEAM, Zero Foodprint, and Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment.
2027 Funding
There is $400,000 available for the Soil Health Initiative grant program.
Grant Eligibility
- Applicants must have been operating a farm or ranch in Boulder County for at least two years.
- Applicants may only submit one application.
Eligible practices include but are not limited to:
- No- or reduced-tillage
- Utilizing cover crops
- Rotational grazing and/or crop rotation
Boulder County will make awards based on how well applicants incorporate USDA’s principles to improve soil health, including:
- Increasing soil surface cover
- Increasing plant diversity
- Increasing livestock integration
- Minimizing soil and chemical disturbance
- Keeping a live root in the ground
How to Apply
The online application will be open July 20 through Aug. 24, 2026.
Please review the Soil Health Initiative Application Packet to draft your answers before submitting your application.