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Grant and Grow

Register Now! 

Join us to explore grants and funding opportunities to help grow your farm/ranch production and business. Grant and Grow is intended for new and beginning farmers (0-10 years) and/or producers who are interested in changing farming practices.

Date: February 2nd, 2024
Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Location: McKee Loveland/Fort Collins Meeting Rooms, The Ranch Event Complex, 5280 Arena Cir, Loveland, CO 80538
Cost: $30 per person (light breakfast and lunch included)
Registration Deadline: January 26th, 2024

Have questions? Contact Jessica Callen

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  • 8:30am - 9am: Introduction
    • Meet and Greet over coffee and bagels. 
    • Introduction to partners:
      • Poudre Valley Community Farms
      • Northern Colorado Foodshed
      • CSU Food System
      • NRCS
  • 9am - 9:30am: Grant Seeking 101:
    • Speaker: Dr.Becca Jablonski: assistant professor and food systems economist at Colorado State University, and co-lead of CSU’s Food Systems Initiative
      • The basics of searching for an agricultural grant and how to determine what grants would be best for your farm/ranch operation.
  • 9:30am - 10:10am: NRCS Funding
    • Speakers: Alix Emslie Resource Soil Conservationist with NRCS Larimer County Office 
      • The types of fundings provided by the NRCS for urban and large farm/ranch operations including irrigation, hoop houses, cover crops, and more. 
      • Perspectives of the NRCS funding process from farmers with large and small scale operations.
  • 10:20am - 11:00am: WSARE Farmer/Rancher Grant
    • Speaker: Miranda Kersten Farmer/Rancher Program Manager with Western SARE
      • Information on the Western SARE Farmer/Rancher grant including how to apply, who is applicable, and examples of winning proposals in Colorado.
      • Perspective from past WSARE winners on why they chose to apply to the grant and how it has funded their goals for their farm.
  • 11:00am - 11:40am: American Farmland Trust Microgrants
    • Speaker: Ashley Brucker: Agriculture Conservation Innovations Deputy Director with American Farmland Trust
      • Information on the mission of the American Farmland trust and different micro grant opportunities that they offer throughout the year.
      • Perspective from recent award winner on how the AFT is going to them achieve their goals for their small ranch operations.
  • 11:40am - 12:20pm: Lunch
  • 12:20pm - 1:00pm: STATE CDA Grants
    • Speaker: Brian Coppom: Colorado Agriculture Future Loans Program Manager
      • Information on different agriculture grants applicable to farmers/ranchers in Larimer County including the application process for these grants.
  • 1:00pm - 1:40pm: USDA Ag Marketing Services (AMS) Grants
    • Speaker: USDA AMS Representative
      • Current USDA AMS grants to help expand your farm/ranch business production, distribution, processing, and markets.
  • 1:50pm - 3:30pm: Grant Writing 101
    • Speaker: Dr. Dawn Thilmany McFadden: Agricultural resource economics professor and Co-Director of REDI and  Martha Sullins: Agriculture, Business Management and Food System Specialist
      • All the aspects of a grant and how to succeed in each section, also helpful breakout discussions 

Register Now! 

Grant and Grow is brought to you by: 

Larimer County Colorado State University Extension, Larimer County, Boulder County

In partnership with:

Food Systems Colorado State University, NRCS, Northern Colorado Foodshed Project, Poudre Valley Community Farms, USDA Regional Food Business Centers Northwest & Rocky Mountain

Non-Discrimination Statement

Colorado State University Extension is an equal opportunity provider. Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension ensures meaningful access and equal opportunities to participate to individuals whose first language is not English. Colorado State University Extension es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

Colorado State University no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad y se compromete a proporcionar adaptaciones razonables. Office of Engagement and Extension de CSU garantiza acceso significativo e igualdad de oportunidades para participar a las personas quienes su primer idioma no es el inglés.

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