Established Roots

Black Farmer Fund
Provides capital specifically for Black farmers to grow operations, enhance market reach, and strengthen
business stability.

MAD Capital – Real Estate Loans
Facilitate expansion opportunities, enabling the acquisition of adjacent properties or land to strengthen
and grow the business.

Go Farm Equipment Rental
Access farm machinery without large upfront investments, allowing efficient operations and skill-building.

Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) Mitigation Activities
Provides financial and technical support for practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration.

CSU Extension’s Agriculture & Business Management program
Teaches enterprise budgeting, financial planning, insurance options, and succession planning, helping farmers build a strong and resilient business foundation.

USDA Farm Ownership Loans
Provide affordable financing for beginning and established farmers to buy land, improve infrastructure, and expand operations. They offer low interest rates and flexible terms, helping farmers secure a stable foundation for long-term growth and success.

USDA Loans
Offers a variety of loan programs to support farmers and ranchers. These loans are primarily available in two forms: Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loans. Direct Loans are provided directly by the FSA, while Guaranteed Loans are made by USDA-approved lenders with the backing of the FSA.

• Farm Ownership Loans: To purchase, enlarge, or improve a farm or ranch, or to promote soil and water conservation.
• Farm Operating Loans: To finance the cost of operating a farm, including purchasing livestock, seed, equipment, and supplies.
• Microloans: To assist small and beginning farmers with less paperwork and lower costs.
• Debt Consolidation Loans: To merge multiple farm operating debts into a single loan, potentially reducing interest rates and simplifying payments.
• Guaranteed Farm Loans:  To help farmers obtain loans from commercial lenders with FSA providing a guarantee.
• Emergency Loans: To help farmers recover from production and physical losses due to natural disasters

0% Interest Loans

• SOIL Boulder (Boulder) – A local financing and investment network that provides low-interest loans, grants, and support for sustainable farms and food businesses in the Boulder area. SOIL Boulder helps beginning farmers access capital, mentorship, and connections to local food networks.
• Four Corners Slow Money (Durango) – Part of the national Slow Money movement, this program focuses on investing in local, sustainable food and farm enterprises in the Four Corners region. Farmers can access patient capital, low-interest loans, and community investment to grow operations aligned with regenerative and local food systems.
• SOIL Sangre de Cristo (South Central Colorado)  – A regional branch of SOIL that provides financial resources, mentorship, and support for farmers and food entrepreneurs in South Central Colorado. Focuses on connecting farmers with low-interest loans and community investment to strengthen sustainable agriculture in the region
• 2Forks Club (Roaring and North Fork Valley, Colorado Basin between Vail and Palisade) – A membership-based revolving loan fund offering 0% interest loans to farmers and food entrepreneurs in the Roaring and North Fork Valleys. The program supports land acquisition, farm infrastructure, equipment, and operating costs, emphasizing local food system growth and community resilience.

Programs that expand market reach, strengthen networks, and build equitable food systems:

Community Food Integration

• • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Shares – Members pay up front to receive a weekly or bi-weekly “share” of seasonal produce. This gives farmers reliable income early in the season.

• Farmers Markets / On-Farm Stands -Selling directly to consumers via farmers markets or your own on-farm stand allows better prices and consumer relationships.

• Food Hubs / Aggregators & Shared Logistics

• Community Food Consortium – Partnering with food hubs or aggregators helps farmers pool produce, streamline distribution, and reach larger or more remote buyers. 

• Farm Runners (North Fork)

• Valley Roots Food Hub

• Hearty Provision
• Metro Caring – Provides farmers with a reliable market for fresh, locally grown produce, meat, dairy, and eggs, while prioritizing equitable opportunities for producers from historically marginalized communities.
• Waves of Grain –  This cooperative helps farmers by creating purchasing plans, offering multiple sales channels, and providing support for new farmers through its “farm start” program.
• Local Harvest – A grassroots network of producers and consumers uniting interests in locally grown food and other locally made products in the High Plains and Rocky Mountain Front Range areas. 
• Farm Collaborative – The Farm Collaborative is opening a farm store in Spring 2026 and plans to source produce and products from local growers and producers.
• RMFU Working Co-Ops – Cooperatives enable farmers to reach broader markets, including local grocery stores and eateries, by aggregating products and pooling resources.

• Food Assistance / Donation / Surplus Sales – Selling surplus produce or donating through work with food banks or “fresh food” programs helps maintain relationships, build community awareness, and reduce waste. 
• Sell to Go Farm –  Aggregates produce from multiple local farms to provide a full season of fresh, sustainably grown food to consumers. Farmers gain expanded market access, learn to manage production and delivery efficiently through shared logistics, and support equitable food systems by supplying consistent, local produce to the community.

• Lift Up – Offers food assistance programs that support low-income households. Farmers can sell to a wider audience, optimize operations by connecting with reliable demand channels, and promote equity by providing nutritious, local food to underserved populations.
• Uproot Colorado – Connects surplus farm produce with food access organizations through volunteer gleaning, field work, and logistics support.

• Farm to School & Childcare Programs
• USDA – Farm to School Census – Use this tool to find out which Colorado school districts are already purchasing local foods and what products they are looking for. 
• Farm-to-Child – Gives farmers the opportunity to expand their market reach by supplying healthy, locally produced, and culturally responsive foods to child care providers across the state, while providing a structured roadmap that guides them through roles, regulations, and contacts to effectively navigate and integrate into these unique markets.
• National Farm to School Network – Offers comprehensive support for Stage 3 farmers—those with established operations—by providing resources, training, and networking opportunities to expand their market reach into K–12 schools and early care and education (ECE) settings.
  • Training and Resources: NFSN’s “Bringing the Farm to School” program includes a Producer Workbook, School Business Action Planning Guide, and case studies to help farmers understand how to sell to schools effectively
  • BIPOC Farmer League: This initiative focuses on creating opportunities for BIPOC producers through outreach, training, and community-building to engage in farm to school markets
• Nourish Colorado – Colorado Local Food Program Guidebook, a resource for producers and school meal operators. It provides insights and tools for implementing and sustaining farm-to-school programs.

Programs that help farmers improve management, business planning, and leadership:

• Colorado STAR Program – Promotes stewardship, soil health, and regenerative practices through farmer-led networks.
• Canopy Leadership Program Participants engage in a 4-day in-person retreat at the Old Mill in Quebec, followed by 6–10 weeks of online coursework. The program focuses on advanced farm management, regenerative practices, and leadership development, preparing individuals to mentor others, launch farm schools, or expand consulting services
• CSU Extension’s Agriculture & Business Management program–  Teaches enterprise budgeting, financial planning, insurance options, and succession planning, helping farmers build a strong and resilient business foundation.
• Market Gardener Master Class – This comprehensive course is designed for professional growers seeking to optimize their market gardening practices. It covers advanced topics such as bio-intensive farming techniques, efficient crop planning, and scaling operations.

Rodale Institute – Access to cutting-edge research, field trials, and training that inform operational decisions and strategic planning.

Programs that empower farmers to influence policies, protect farmland, and advocate for equitable systems:

1. Farmland Preservation & Land Use Policy

• Boulder County Open Space Management (Boulder)– Engages farmers in local land use planning and sustainable development.
• American Farmland Trust – Provide platforms for farmers to engage in policy discussions, legislative advocacy, and farmland preservation.
• RMFU (Roaring Fork) – Provide platforms for farmers to engage in policy discussions, legislative advocacy, and farmland preservation.

2. Environmental & Climate Advocacy

• Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act & Healthy Soils Healthy Climate Act – Help farmers access resources while advocating for environmental and social equity.
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) – Provides a platform for farmers to participate in landscape-level planning and conservation initiatives, giving them a voice in regional resource management
• VOGA (North Fork) – VOGA collaborates with regional organizations and engages with federal officials to advocate for the protection of local watersheds, national forests, and the interests of Western Slope farmers.
• National Young Farmers Coalition → Become a Leader
  • Climate and Water Policy: NYFC advocates for policies and programs that support sustainable farming practices to build solutions to the climate crisis.
• Rodale Institute – Provides science-based evidence to support farmers’ voices in sustainability and climate policy discussions.

3. Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice

• Hispanic Affairs Project of Western Colorado & Cultivating Change Foundation – Support BIPOC and LGBTQ+ farmers in advocacy and leadership initiatives.
• National Young Farmers Coalition → Become a Leader
  • Advocacy for Equitable Land Access: NYFC launched the “One Million Acres for the Future Campaign” to call on Congress to make a historic investment in equitable land access in the next Farm Bill.
  • Racial Equity in Agriculture: NYFC centers racial equity in their programs and campaigns, acknowledging that federal farm policies have reinforced systemic racism that encumbers BIPOC farmers. They commit to advocating for anti-racist policy change to dismantle structural barriers.
• FrontLine Farming – centers on data activism and racial equity, providing workshops and resources to help food systems advocates use data effectively while engaging in policy advocacy that amplifies marginalized voices and empowers food justice advocates to shape decision-making.

4. Legal & Risk Management Support

• ATTRA Legal Resources– Helps farmers establish sound legal foundations, manage risks, and expand their operations sustainably.

Farmer Mental Health Initiatives: Recognizing the physical and mental demands of farming, NYFC is dedicated to advancing the well-being of agriculture producers, workers, and their families through accessible and effective mental health care and assistance programs.

Programs providing technical skills, field-based learning, and research to improve operations:

• Roaring Fork Leadership – farmers aiming to expand operations sustainably, strengthen networks, and engage in policy and advocacy efforts. Their flagship 10-month Academy program provides over 100 hours of training and dialogue, focusing on personal, professional, and community leadership skills
• Canopy Leadership Program Participants engage in a 4-day in-person retreat at the Old Mill in Quebec, followed by 6–10 weeks of online coursework. The program focuses on advanced farm management, regenerative practices, and leadership development, preparing individuals to mentor others, launch farm schools, or expand consulting
• CSU Master Gardener – receive comprehensive training in areas such as soils, plant growth, pest management, and sustainable gardening practices. This knowledge can be applied to improve crop yields and sustainability on established farms.
• Crop House Accelerator Course and Winter Farming – offers detailed instruction on greenhouse management, focusing on optimizing climate control, pest management, and crop rotation within protected environments. It’s ideal for farmers looking to extend growing seasons, increase crop yields, and enhance the efficiency of their operations through controlled-environment agriculture
• Rodale Institute – Offers workshops, on-farm demonstrations, and field-based learning for scaling regenerative techniques.
• University & Research Programs (CSU Ag Experiment Station, Western CSU, OFRF, CU Boulder) – Research-driven knowledge for soil health, climate resilience, and regenerative farming.

Programs to manage environmental, operational, and financial risks:

• SNOTEL Weather Map & Colorado Water Knowledge Database – Track snowpack, precipitation, and water rights for informed decision-making.
• Frontline Farming – Water Equity Series– Educates around equitable access to water and sustainable irrigation practices.

Disaster Assistance Programs (RMFU AgAssist, USDA RD Disaster Programs) – Offers financial support and technical relief to farmers and ranchers facing losses from natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, wildfires, or storms. Farm Service Agency programs include emergency loans, indemnity payments for livestock loss, and assistance for damaged crops, infrastructure, and production shortfalls.

Programs that nurture well-being, peer networks, and community engagement:

• Colorado Department of Agriculture Rural Mental Health Resources – Offers mental health resources for rural communities in Colorado.

• Seed Peace (Roaring Fork Valley and Virginia’s New River Valley)- Honors Casey Piscura by offering grants and support that nurture the well-being of regenerative farmers, sustaining those who care for the land and grow nourishing food.
• Spirit of the Sun – Indigenous-led programs supporting community leadership and sustainable agriculture.

Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities – direct education and assistance to farmers, ranchers, and their families with disabilities, aiming to enhance their quality of life and success in agricultural production.