BOULDER, CO — Boulder announced Thursday the local farms and organizations that will receive funding from the county’s 2022 Sustainable Food & Agriculture grant.
The program is intended to kick-start a variety of environmental programs, including on-farm regenerative agriculture, sustainable agriculture education programs, farm market infrastructure, sustainable local food production and support for local farms, according to a news release.
In contrast to the widespread industrial agriculture system, which increases soil erosion and causes nutrient run-off, compartmentalizing natural resources to increase the yield of single crops at the expense of the ecosystem, regenerative agriculture takes a holistic view of the ecosystem, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The philosophy of regenerative agriculture involves promoting soil health by working with the land to restore the health of ecosystems, a concept that is becoming increasingly important as the effects of climate change become more pronounced.
“The regenerative agriculture movement addresses the climate crisis with practices that sequester more carbon in the soil and help make farmland — and local communities — more resilient,” the Natural Resources Defense Council wrote. “In fact, farming and ranching can play an important part in natural climate solutions.”
Boulder invited organizations, non-profits, farm and agricultural producers to apply for the funding, according to the news release. The recipients of the funds include Bridge House, Eco-Cycle, Grama Grass & Livestock, Jack’s Solar Garden, Light Root Community Farm, MASA Seed Foundation, Project Protect Promotora Network and Suarez Market at Mariposa Farm.
“We continue to experience the devastating impacts of the climate crisis and we also saw how COVID-19 has raised costs due to supply chain issues and worker shortages here in Boulder County,” said Boulder County commissioner Marta Loachamin. “Creating a local, sustainable, and resilient food system has never been more important. These projects help our community fight and adapt to climate change, increase food security, and grow our local economy.”
In addition to developing educational programs and supporting local food production and local farmworkers, the grant money will be used to implement regenerative practices designed to bolster soil and ecosystem health while sequestering carbon and increasing the resiliency of crops, according to the news release.
The fund, according to the news release, is supported by revenue from the Sustainability Tax which was approved in 2016. A $405,000 portion of the Sustainability Tax was set aside for 2022 to assist local farms and agricultural producers.
Grama Grass & Livestock, a local farm that received $56,500 from the program, will use the funds to study its regenerative grazing program. In addition, the farm will use the funds to increase the efficiency of its cattle transportation and expand its community outreach and education.
“This funding will provide the infrastructure for us to move cattle from one property to another based on the needs of the land,” said Andy Breiter, steward/owner of Grama Grass & Livestock. “Additionally, this funding will allow us to study our holistic management techniques on the cattle and soil.”
Boulder Supports Local Regenerative Agriculture Efforts – Patch
