Community News
Curated news and information from across the colorado grain chain
Our News Feed is a place for us to share news and information about our members as well as any educational grain chain related content sourced from across the country.
Do you have exciting grain news you'd like to share? Contact us!
Colorado Organic Grains Microgrant Program: 2026 Colorado Grain Chain Microgrant Program
via Colorado Grain Chain
Posted February 3, 2026 11:43 am
The Colorado Grain Chain (CGC), a nonprofit organization that seeks to grow and connect a vibrant community-centered grain economy in the state of Colorado, is excited to announce a new round of Microgrant funding available to stakeholders in the Colorado organic grain chain. Applicants will be considered if they meet the below criteria, provide a project narrative, project budget, and agree to participate in our data collection efforts. We are also able to provide free product development support and free technical assistance (this cannot be used for help with transitioning to an organic certification) for those who reach out. These services are available to any applicant, not just those selected as 2026 Microgrant winners.
Purpose:
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.
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. microgrant@coloradograinchain.com
Who Can Apply:
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- Creating marketing and storytelling assets (video series, social media, panel discussions, etc) to promote your grains to makers as a water efficient choice, nutrient dense selection, or whatever other reason they should be choosing to buy your crop over others.
- Improvements and/or alterations to an existing building to use their space more effectively or to accommodate new equipment
Basic Eligibility Requirements:
- A current CGC Business Member or apply now!
- 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
- Must be based in Colorado
- 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 and 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
- For eligible expense questions please first review our Allowable 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, 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
Connections