Colorado Organic Grains Microgrant Program (2026)

Colorado Organic Grains Microgrant Program (2026) is a grant from Colorado Grain Chain (CGC), a nonprofit building a vibrant community-centered grain economy, that funds certified organic or transitioning grain growers and organizations advancing organic grain market development in Colorado.

Grants of $5,000, plus a $2,000 supplemental award, are available to applicants who submit a project narrative and budget and commit to participating in data collection. All applicants must be current CGC Business Members; previous recipients are ineligible. Free product development support and technical assistance are also available to all applicants.

The 2026 deadline was March 23, 2026.

In Loving Memory of Andy Clark Colorado Grown Grains Co‑brand 2026 Colorado Organic Microgrant Program The Wheat Underground Project The Colorado Grain Summit 2026 2026 Colorado Organic Microgrant Program The Colorado Grain Chain (CGC), a nonprofit building a vibrant community-centered grain economy in Colorado, is announcing a new round of Microgrant funding for stakeholders in the state's organic grain chain.

Applicants must meet the criteria below, provide a project narrative and budget, and agree to participate in data collection. We also offer free product development support and technical assistance (excluding organic certification transition help) to all applicants, regardless of whether they receive a 2026 Microgrant.

Although grains make up an average of 30-50% of dietary intake, the organic grain market for human consumption is relatively limited, with little emphasis on local sourcing. Since the inception of the CGC in 2019, our nonprofit’s mission has been to grow and connect a vibrant community-centered grain economy in our state.

This work involves connecting our membership base of 100+ Business and Consumer Members to educational and marketing resources, partners, and technical assistance. CGC’s membership base ranges from farmers, processors (millers and maltsters), to artisanal makers (bakers, brewers, distillers, chefs), food hubs, and institutions.

In January 2024, we received an Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) . In our three-year project proposal, we planned to distribute six $5,000 Microgrants each year and focus on different parts of the Colorado organic grain supply chain.

With this funding, the CGC is working to enhance market opportunities for producers, processors, and value-added product makers of organic grains for human consumption. During its third year administering the USDA Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG), the Colorado Grain Chain is partnering with Mad Agriculture to expand financial and technical support for organic grain producers in Colorado.

Mad Agriculture is on a mission to create a regenerative revolution in agriculture. Through this collaboration, Mad Agriculture will provide an additional $2,000 Regenerative Catalyst Fund (RCF) grant to each awarded project , complementing the $5,000 OMDG grant offered by the CO Grain Chain.

Launched in 2024, RCF is a flexible funding mechanism designed to help producers implement regenerative practices without unnecessary administrative burden. Awardees will also receive technical assistance, including an on-farm visit from Mad Agriculture, with support spanning farm planning, soil and crop health, livestock management, business viability, and professional development.

Through analysis of the grain supply chain and conversations with Colorado grain stakeholders, we’ve determined that the primary issues to address in working to make organic grains more accessible are currently storage, marketing, and distribution. We’re curious if this is true for your business as well.

We’d love to have your business apply for a CGC Microgrant, so please continue reading to see if you qualify and reach out with any and all questions at microgrant@coloradograinchain. com This year’s microgrants are open to Colorado-based grain growers of all sizes working on projects that help get certified organic grain products to market .

Applicants must either be certified organic or have started official steps to transitioning to organic . This round of microgrants prioritizes the beginning of the supply chain , supporting growers/farmers who produce organic grains for human consumption here in Colorado.

While the primary focus is on growers and farmers, nonprofits and food hubs , may also qualify if their projects support the market development of certified organic grains. We are also allowing applications from those who grow produce using organic grains as a medium, such as mushroom farmers. The CGC would like to see the selected projects showcase their plan to form at least three new partnerships within the grain value chain .

As one of our core values, the CGC is committed to creating links between those working in the value chain and we truly believe that the stronger our networks, connections, and collaborations, the stronger all of our businesses will become. Questions? Email microgrant@coloradograinchain.

com or Schedule an Onboarding Call Here Example Projects for 2026 Microgrants: Working with a mill/baker/pasta maker/brewery/distillery/etc to create a new line of products that specifically highlight organic grains sourced from your operation. Increase organic grain storage capacity with the purchase of pallet shelving, hard-sided grain bins, or other improvements/alterations to grain silos for increased efficiency.

Purchase a specialized piece of equipment for grain cleaning, dehulling, packaging, or other on-farm processing tasks.

Improvements and/or alterations to an existing building to use their space more effectively or to accommodate new equipment Basic Eligibility Requirements: Business applicants must be certified organic or in transition to becoming certified organic Nonprofit applicants do not need to be organic certified but must work with organic Colorado grains to be considered A current CGC Business Member or apply now !

Project proposal that demonstrates market connectivity with at least three partnerships along the grain supply chain and speaks to the longevity/sustainability of the proposed project Submit completed application by March 23, 2026 Submit completed baseline survey by March 23, 2026 Ability to create and implement a project budget that shows how the funds will be utilized and spent by June 5, 2026 Review the Allowable and Unallowable Costs chart Businesses who have won CGC Microgrants in the past are not eligible to apply again 2026 Microgrant Program Timeline: Grants winners will be notified on April 3, funding will be distributed on April 10, and funding must be spent by June 5.

Winners agree to provide all receipts (and photos if applicable).

January 26: Open period to accept applications (8 weeks) March 23: Applications and baseline survey due by midnight MST April 3: Winners notified privately Sign agreements about timeline (spending, reporting) Set up fund distribution for winners (banking details, signed W-9, mailing address) April 10: Funds distributed to winners, winners announced publicly June 5: Funds must be exhausted, proof/receipts due Week of June 15: Follow up interviews Winter 2026: Follow up survey with 2026 Microgrant recipients Questions?

Email microgrant@coloradograinchain. com or Schedule an Onboarding Call Here Resources to learn more about starting the process towards Organic Certification: Rodale Institute - Contact: lea. vereecke@rodaleinstitute.

org (Organic Farming) or bridget. gilmore@rodaleinstitute. org (Organic Handling) CDA, TOPP Specialist - Contact: maclaine.

sorden@state. co. u s ; P 720.

402. 8579 View Colorado Department of Agriculture - Organic Resources USDA Transitioning to Organic Partner Organizations (see pg. 49) Organic Certification Cost Share Program 2025 Colorado Organic Grains Microgrant Program 2024 Colorado Organic Grains Microgrant Program 2023 Brewers & Distillers Microgrants Have some grain-related news to share?

Share your news with us and we'll be sure to pass it on! If you have any news or information you think may be relevant to our membership, reach out and let us know about it! Events, educational information, sister organizations, anything you feel will further the rebuilding of grain chains here in Colorado or across the United States, please let us know!

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