What's New with the Soil Health Program?

Upcoming Events 

Cheatgrass Management Workshop | July 16th, 8 am to Noon | Longmont, CO

Learn more about the ecology of cheatgreass and different management techniques from specialists at Colorado parks & Wildlife, Envu, and Alligare. Ends with a field tour of Rejuvra plots. RSVP by calling 970-427-3358 or 720-361-6418.  

SLV Farmer to Farmer Field Day | July 19th, Noon to 4:30 pm | Monte Vista, CO

This free event is hosted by the Mosca-Hooper Conservation District and will feature innovative water conservation practices in the San Luis Valley. Visit three farms and ranches working on water conservation and participate in idea sharing. Lunch will be provided and Spanish interpretation will be available. RSVP by emailing moscahoopercd1@gmail.com or calling 319-217-0679. 

2025 CSU San Luis Valley Field Days | July 23-24, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | Center, CO

Potato Day - July 23

Learn about the potato research projects at the SLVRC in variety development, disease management, and agronomic best practices. Held at the San Luis Valley Research Center (249 E County Road 9 N, Center).

Alternative Crops Day - July 24

Learn about dry beans, corn, forages, and oilseeds and other crops new to the San Luis Valley. Held at the San Luis Valley Research Center (249 E County Road 9 N, Center).

CDA Insectary 80th Anniversary | August 14th, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Palisade, CO

For 80 years, biologists and employees at CDA's Palisade Insectary have been instrumental in helping farmers on the Western Slope combat pests that threaten their crops. The Insectary has grown over the past decades to include multiple forms of biocontrol, consistently with the help of farmers and other partners. There will be food trucks, kid-friendly fun, and tours of the insectary (75037 8/10 Road, Palisade). RSVP for the event! 

Grazing on Challenging Landscapes | August 30, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm | Cañon City, CO

The Quivira Coalition is collaborating with Badger Creek Ranch, Grasslands LLC, and the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) to host an educational community field day. Attendees will learn how to navigate the terrain and technical challenges of riparian areas in the high-desert to achieve increased soil carbon and soil moisture, healthier pasture, healthier animals, and healthier riparian areas. Lunch will be served. 

Email cda_soil@state.co.us to have your event featured here!

Grants & Other Soil Health Engagement Opportunities

USDA Grassland Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment | Open now until August 8th

The Grassland CRP Managed by the USDA Farm Service Agency and provides annual rental payments to producers who steward grasslands while maintaining the ability to graze and hay. Contracts are based on NRCS-approved grazing management plans and allow producers to earn income that supports long-term stewardship. 

USDA Emergency Commodity Assistance Program | Applications open until August 15

The Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) provides economic assistance payments to eligible agricultural commodity producers for the 2024 crop year. USDA’s Farm Service Agency is issuing up to $10 billion in direct payments to eligible agricultural producers. These one-time economic assistance payments will help commodity producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. 

Join GoFarm's Beginning Training Program | Applications open until August 20th

Applications are open until August 20 for both the Intro to Farming & our Incubator Farmer tracks. The incubator program is designed for beginning farmers with experience who want to launch an independent small scale farming venture centered on food production. The intro to farming program is designed people interested in learning more about market farming and running a farm business, no experience is required. The programs start in mid-October and will take place primarily in Lakewood and Arvada. Scholarships are available!

Producers Wanted for New Soil Project: "Probing Our Country's Soil Health"

This new effort, funded by the NRCS, aims to refine soil health baselines and tools for benchmarking progress on working farms and ranches across the nation. The anonymous data collected will be used to expand a new and exciting tool called the Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation (or SHAPE). If interested, producers should sign up for a 1 hour Zoom call to complete a management survey and grant access to their fields for hand-probe soil sampling. Participating producers will receive a soil health report for their fields. Sign up for a Zoom meeting here or here. 

Zero Foodprint 

Winner of the James Beard "Humanitarian of the Year" Award, Zero Foodprint (ZFP) is a nonprofit mobilizing the food world around agricultural climate solutions. Learn about their work and apply for the Restore Grant here.

Watch: Restore Colorado Producer Webinar
Watch: Restore Program Webinar June 2023