Boulder County Soil Health Initiative

The Boulder County Soil Health Initiative is a county-administered grant program designed to support sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soil health and contribute to a resilient local food system. Administered by the Boulder County Office of Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resilience (OSCAR), this initiative aligns with broader environmental and climate adaptation goals, fostering regenerative agriculture through strategic funding. Now entering its second year, the initiative complements the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund, which focuses on educational programming, market infrastructure, and support for frontline agricultural workers. The 2025 grant cycle will distribute a total of $1 million to local producers. Projects will be evaluated based on their adherence to USDA soil health principles, including practices that promote increased soil cover, plant diversity, livestock integration, minimal disturbance, and the maintenance of live roots. These principles are critical for reversing soil degradation, enhancing water retention, and boosting agricultural productivity in Boulder County's varied landscapes. Eligible applicants must have been actively farming or ranching within Boulder County for at least two years. They may be operating on leased land from Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS), private land, or both. Each applicant is permitted to submit only one proposal. Projects may incorporate a range of practices, such as no- or reduced-tillage, use of cover crops, rotational grazing, and crop rotation. The program places a strong emphasis on regenerative systems that integrate livestock and promote long-term soil vitality. The application window for the 2025 grant cycle opened on December 4, 2024, and closed on January 8, 2025. Applicants were encouraged to consult the 2025 Soil Health Initiative Application Packet before submission. While the grant deadline has passed, the program is recurring, and a new application cycle is anticipated in late 2025. Previous projects funded by the program offer a range of implementation models, from equipment acquisition for compost application to the integration of biofertilizers and regenerative grazing systems. Grant recipients are selected based on the strength of their proposed soil health improvements and their potential for environmental, agricultural, and community impact. While no formal pre-application steps are noted, questions regarding applications on BCPOS land can be directed to Mike Foster, while inquiries related to private land should be addressed to Tim Broderick. Both contacts provide support for application guidance and eligibility clarification. This grant initiative is made possible through partnerships with several organizations, including the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado State University Extension, OpenTEAM, Zero Foodprint, and Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment. These collaborations ensure technical guidance and reinforce the program’s role in advancing science-based soil health practices within Boulder County's farming community.