2023 Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund Program Description

In November 2016, voters approved the Sustainability Tax ballot initiative, to allocate a portion of sales and use tax revenue to fund countywide sustainability infrastructure and programs. Pending Boulder County Commissioner (BOCC) approval of the 2023 budget, the allocation of $405,000 has specifically been set aside for sustainability-focused initiatives that will address the priority needs of local farmers and agricultural producers.

Boulder County invites farmers, agricultural producers, the private sector, and non-profit organizations to apply for capital grant funding to undertake environmental sustainability projects that benefit Boulder County’s food system and agricultural lands.

This funding opportunity will be provided to those who wish to use it in five broad local food and agriculture areas:

1. On-farm regenerative agriculture and soil health practices;
2. Farmer/producer education, conferences, and workshops that focus on sustainable and regenerative agriculture demonstrations;
3. On-farm and farmer’s market infrastructure;
4. Sustainable local food and crop production;
5. Programmatic and resource support for frontline farm workers and organizations.

Any registered business, official non-profit organization, or government entity can apply for funding at a minimum of $40,000 to a maximum of $150,000 per project or apply to the small project fund for a minimum $2,000 up to a maximum of $5,000. More details about eligibility and qualified projects is included in the application section below.

Please see the 2018 Environmental Sustainability Plan for more information on Boulder County’s food and agriculture goals.

Watch the below video to see how SkyPilot Farm used their Boulder County Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund grant to expand their mobile grazing operations and regenerative agriculture footprint. For a complete list of previously awarded projects, please click here.

To Apply

1. Be sure to read the Application Instruction Packet for all the details and requirements.
2. Download and draft your Application Summary Form before submitting the online application form because answers cannot be saved and must be completed in one sitting.
3. Review the Q&A Packet. This is a helpful resource when applying.
4. Complete the Wufoo online form below to enter the information you drafted on your Application Summary Form (copy/paste into the form). This form works best in Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
   1. Do not forget to attach the Project Budget Form to submission.
5. Submit no later than Thursday, Jan 5, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

If you have any issues completing the forms, please check the Q&A Packet first (noted in Step #3 above). If you still have questions, contact Senior Sustainability Strategist, Tim Broderick at tbroderick@bouldercounty.org, or Climate & Circularity Specialist, Deandra Croissant at dcroissant@bouldercounty.org.