The Colorado Grain Chain (CGC) is on a mission to grow the state’s regional grain economy. To do so involves creating markets, supporting farmers, and connecting all the links of the grain community together.

Since 2024, CGC has been distributing microgrants to the grain community through a United States Department of Agriculture Organic Market Development Grant.

Each year, grants are directed to specific sections of the grain supply chain—processors in 2024, makers in 2025, and growers in 2026.

This year, the CGC will award six $7,000 grants to support production of organic grains by Colorado growers, thanks to additional funding from Mad Agriculture’s Regenerative Catalyst Fund. 

“We have so many amazing producers, makers, and businesses in our community. This grant program helps to support the growth of the local grain industry,” says Lisa Boldt, CGC Executive Director. “It’s amazing to see what our recipients have been able to do with a little bit of funding and how many people they have been able to reach.”

The first year of the microgrant program sought to address the “missing middle” of the grain supply chain, the process that falls between harvest and the retail store shelf. Historically, granaries and mills dotted towns across in America. This small-scale infrastructure allowed farmers to sell at the scale they could grow and businesses to buy the amount they needed. Today, there are only a few large-scale facilities located in the country, creating additional shipping expenses, inefficiencies, and vulnerability to global supply disruptions.

To strengthen Colorado’s capacity to process and distribute regional grain, CGC distributed microgrants to help businesses clean grain locally and more efficiently, expand storage facilities, and educate the public about heritage grains.

In 2025, CGC focused on that end of the supply chain supporting “makers” who turn organic grains into final products (e.g. brewers, distillers, bakers, chefs, and other value-added producers). Makers demonstrate the value and taste of local and organic grain through artisan products, engaging in direct conversations with consumers.

In order to support a market for organic, local grains, much of the population needs to be reintroduced to their taste, nutritional content, and value for the soil and environment. Such education can help increase the market and create demand that gives more potential for the rest of the supply chain to grow. 

To help grow the Colorado market for grains, CGC provided microgrants for businesses, nonprofits, food hubs, and local groceries for products aimed at increasing production, creating new products, and expanding the presence of Colorado grown grains.

This year’s round of microgrants aims to support growers’ production of organic grains in Colorado. Diversified farming practices have the potential to make farms more resilient. For example, climate-appropriate grains, such as drought-tolerant millet and rye, can help farmers weather drought and extreme weather. The grants are intended to help growers overcome the challenges of transitioning to new crops.

“We hope these microgrants can help growers experiment with grain or increase their reach and efficiency,” explains Boldt. “We’d love to fund projects that increase storage, improve equipment, help create a new product, or tell the story of growing grains.”

“We’re proud of the ways these microgrants have continued to create impact and connection, and we’re excited to see what new projects are in store,” she adds.

Learn more about the Colorado Grain Chain’s microgrant program by visiting our Request for Proposals. Applications for the 2026 round are due by midnight on March 23.