The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office (ADCRO) has announced a new grant opportunity to support Climate Resilience projects within the state’s agricultural sector.
Donor Name: Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA)
State: Colorado
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 05/29/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Climate resilience is the ability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to climate. This grant program is designed to provide crucial financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who have experienced adverse effects due to climate-change induced disasters and are seeking to enhance their resilience against future climate-related challenges. Grants are paid on a reimbursement basis.
Colorado farmers and ranchers integrate resilience into their everyday operations by building soil health, using water efficiently, crop switching depending on weather and economic markets, workforce development, and succession planning. However, climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of disasters such as drought, severe storms, and extreme wildfires, and farmers and ranchers are needing to think outside the box to keep their operations profitable and adaptable. Resilient farms and ranches, including their business operations and natural resources, are better equipped to adapt and thrive in the face of significant disruptions.
Priority Projects
For Grant Year 2025-2026, CDA will prioritize farm and and ranch resiliency for future disasters including:
- Wildfire
- Snow Events
- Drought.
Funding Information
Maximum award is $30,000.
Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses include but are not limited to:
- Equipment
- Direct costs including, but not limited to:
- Construction costs, including materials and labor
- Payment or lease of needed equipment
- Salaries and labor
- Travel expenses
- Permitting costs
- Project assessments and feasibility studies
- Indirect costs (maximum 10% of grant award).
Eligible Projects
Eligible project types include any phase(s) of a climate resilient project. This grant funds projects that increase the climate resilience of Colorado farms and ranches. This includes on-farm/ranch projects that a) build back stronger from previous climate-related disasters or b) prepare in advance for the increasing risk of climate-related disasters. It also includes increasing resilience of processing and manufacturing operations as those are key in Colorado’s agricultural supply chain.
- Water tanks and storage systems
- Pilot project with new supply chain partners or new crops
- Fire mitigation
- Reseeding to prevent mudslides in burn scars
- Drought planning
- Farm road enhancements for reaching livestock in austere conditions
- Purchase of vehicles for operating in snowy conditions
- Recovery after forage impacts (due to drought or storms).
Eligibility Criteria
- Farmers, Ranchers, other Individuals
- Tribal or local government (including Conservation Districts);
- 501(c)3s;
- University extension or field offices.
For more information, visit CDA.
