The Colorado Department of Agriculture has secured $13.7 million from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to help agricultural producers access emerging markets while supporting conservation practices on Colorado's working lands.

The funding comes through the Advancing Markets for Producers program, formerly known as the Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities. All funding will be distributed as direct-to-producer grants ranging from $20,000 to $300,000 depending on the program, and is expected to cover two years of grants.

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"Agriculture is essential to our way of life in Colorado, and now we can offer more support to our farmers and ranchers and invest in our future success. Our farmers and ranchers are leaders in conservation and protecting the lands we love. This funding will strengthen that work and support more participation in these efforts," said Governor Jared Polis.

"This is real money in the pockets of Colorado's farmers and ranchers who are using soil health practices in their land management to make their operations more profitable and the land healthier," said Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. "This funding will help agricultural producers build more resilient operations that can withstand the challenges of a changing climate. By using this year's tough growing season as an example of what we have to prepare against, this funding will help farmers and ranchers get ready for a drier future."

Funding will be directed through existing Colorado Department of Agriculture grant programs, including Colorado Proud, Colorado State Conservation Board grants, the Colorado Soil Health Program SHOW grants, the Climate Resilience Grant Program, the Climate Smart Markets Program, the Noxious Weeds Program, and the Urban Agriculture Program.

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Conservation practices eligible under the program include cover-cropping, reduced or no-till farming, irrigation water management, noxious weeds management, rotational grazing, and nutrient management. These practices have been shown to increase soil health, reduce erosion, improve water retention, and aid carbon sequestration.

"Bringing AMP funding to Colorado is a major success for Colorado's farmers and ranchers, particularly considering the many challenges the agricultural industry faces," said Evanne Caviness, Director of the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Conservation Services Division. "With this funding, Colorado's producers will receive critical financial support to do what they do best: feed our nation while stewarding the working lands that make our state the incredible place that it is."

The department's Conservation Services and Markets divisions will collaborate to help producers grow commodities using conservation practices while also accessing new and emerging markets. The funding supports two of the department's five strategic directions: Environmental Stewardship and Climate Resilience, and Market and Economic Productivity.

More information on participating grant programs is available at ag.colorado.gov.