Grants Awarded to Support Colorado Agriculture

LAKEWOOD, Colo.-The Colorado Department of Agriculture selected four projects to receive funding through its new “Enrich Colorado Ag Grant Program.” Grant funds will help Colorado companies conduct research and develop new uses and markets for food and agricultural products that are grown, raised or processed in Colorado.  

“We received 41 applications, and it was difficult to select only a few projects from so many outstanding submissions,” said Tom Lipetzky, Markets Division Director. “We hope these funds help Colorado’s food and agricultural suppliers position their businesses to take advantage of local, regional, national and international market opportunities.”  

Projects funded include:

Triple M Bar Ranch, Manzanola, Colo., $11,620 to expand marketing and promotion efforts of their Colorado lamb.

Weld County School District 6 Nutrition Services, Greeley, Colo., $17,000 to increase the awareness of selling opportunities to farmers in northern Colorado school districts and increase awareness of Colorado agricultural products in use on school menus to students and parents.

Soup for Supper, Lafayette, Colo., $2,500 to utilize funds to work with a marketing/sales consultant to increase product distribution.  

Montrose Downtown Development Authority, Montrose, Colo., $11,380 to conduct a feasibility study to determine the economic, market, technical, financial and management feasibility and sustainability of establishing a Food Hub which will include a certified commercial kitchen and business incubator.   

“Funding requests totaled nearly $500,000 for the first year of the grant program,” said Shaina Knight, Business Development Specialist. “We know Colorado food and agricultural businesses are expanding with innovative projects, ideas, and concepts, so we are pleased to be able to offer additional support.”

 For more information on the Enrich Colorado Ag Grant Program, contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture Markets Division at (303) 239-4371 or visit www.coloradoagriculture.com.