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Applications open for 2023 Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund

Grants available for projects that support regenerative agriculture, soil health, sustainable food production, frontline farm workers
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Jack’s Solar Garden received a 2022 Sustainable Food and Agriculture grant to implement regenerative agriculture practices underneath solar panels in their agrivoltaics operation.

NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, CLIMATE ACTION AND RESILIENCE
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Farmers, ranchers, and public, private, and non-profit organizations are invited to apply for funding to support sustainability projects that benefit Boulder County's food system. Pending the Board of County Commissioners approval of the 2023 budget, $405,000 will be allocated to sustainability initiatives that address the needs of Boulder County food producers.

Projects selected for funding will impact five broad areas within local food and agriculture including: 

  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 

“Over the course of the pandemic this fund has strengthened Boulder County’s food system,” said Deandra Croissant, Boulder County Climate & Circularity Specialist. "Over the past three years we have distributed $850,000, funded 32 projects, and impacted over 2,500 acres of land. We have been impressed and thrilled with the work that the grantees have done to implement regenerative practices, hold workshops, protect frontline farm workers, and produce nutrient dense and sustainable food.” 

Any registered business, official non-profit organization, or government entity can apply for small project funding at a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $5,000 or large project funding at a minimum of $40,000 to a maximum of $150,000. 

To apply, visit boco.org/SustainableFoodAgFund. Application materials must be submitted by Jan. 5, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. for consideration. 

About the Boulder County Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund

The Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund is supported by Sustainability Tax revenue. In November 2016, voters approved the Sustainability Tax ballot initiative to allocate a portion of sales and use tax revenue to fund sustainability infrastructure and programs. 

In 2022, the Fund received 41 applications and a total of $1.5 million in requests. A total of $405,000 was awarded to 14 organizations. For a description of all projects funded since 2020, visit: https://boco.org/FoodAgFundProjects 

The following practices are being implemented in Boulder County by the 2022 grantees: development of educational programs, growth of pollinator friendly habitats, support for frontline farm workers, expansion of agrivoltaics equipment, heritage grain production, establishment of a high-density apple orchard, compost application, perennial planting, cover cropping, regenerative grazing, no-till drilling, and smart irrigation.

About Boulder County’s Office of Sustainability, Climate Action and Resilience  

Boulder County residents are experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis in the form of high heat days, extreme weather, drought, poor air quality, and devastating wildfires. As a global leader in climate action, Boulder County is committed to the radical transformation needed to meet this challenge. Through programs and policies that foster innovation, coalition-building, and equitable outcomes, Boulder County is cutting emissions, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and supporting systemic change to fight the climate crisis.

Boulder County engages with the Colorado regulatory process on oil and gas, regional haze, transportation, greenhouse gas, and ozone rulemakings and advocates for Colorado state legislation to reduce GHG emissions and help Coloradans avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

In 2018, Boulder County, San Miguel County, and the City of Boulder filed a lawsuit against two oil companies that bear significant responsibility for climate change. The communities are demanding that Suncor and ExxonMobil pay their fair share of the costs associated with climate change impacts on local governments so that the costs do not fall disproportionately on taxpayers.

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