New Funding Supports Soil Health and Smarter Water Use

Colorado Soil Water Grants Program

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has announced a new funding opportunity to support farmers and land managers who are working to improve soil health and manage water resources more efficiently. The Soil Health and Optimizing Water grant program offers financial assistance to projects that promote better soil function and stronger water management practices on working lands. 

The grant is funded by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and provides up to fifty thousand dollars per project. It is open to producers conservation districts nonprofit groups local governments and research institutions. The program encourages projects that apply soil health principles and improve how water is used across agricultural operations. 

This funding is designed to help agricultural operations become more resilient to climate challenges. Healthier soil can hold more water reduce erosion and support better crop growth. Improved water management also helps farms reduce waste protect natural resources and maintain long term productivity. 

“This grant will help us understand how soil health can improve water use. It will also help Colorado’s producers make their operations more resilient by improving how water is managed on working lands,” said Toby McPartland, Soil Health Specialist with CDA. “We encourage anyone interested in applying to join our upcoming webinar so they can better understand the opportunities and prepare a strong application.” 

The Colorado Department of Agriculture will host an informational webinar to guide applicants through the grant program. The webinar will explain eligible project practices funding rules and monitoring requirements. Participants will also have the chance to ask questions directly to program staff and gain tips for preparing strong applications. 

Grant applications opened on December 11,2025, and must be submitted by January 20, 2026. The webinar will take place on December 17, at ten in the morning Mountain Time. 

Since its launch in twenty twenty one the Colorado Soil Health Program has supported more than four hundred producers across the state. The program helps farmers and ranchers improve land management through technical guidance and local partnerships. These efforts also support state goals for environmental stewardship climate resilience and long term water planning. 

This new funding round continues Colorado’s commitment to building stronger more sustainable agricultural systems that protect soil water and farm productivity for future generations. 

Photo Credit: gettyimages-dmytro-diedov