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. 

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.

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. 

The Conscious Business Pitch Competition is an annual pitch event hosted by Naturally Colorado that highlights purpose-driven, emerging CPG and conscious product brands. Formerly known as the “Pitch Slam,” founders get the chance to present their business to a panel of industry experts, gain exposure, connect with mentors and peers, and compete for valuable prizes that can help accelerate growth and visibility.

Finalists are selected to pitch live (Wednesday, April 22, 2026 ), where each gets a few minutes to share their story and vision. Winners receive opportunities like a complimentary booth at New Hope’s Newtopia Now, business support services, and further networking possibilities with retailers and industry leaders.

This event also includes community networking, product sampling in the Innovation Showcase, and chances for established brands to exhibit new products. Applications to the Naturally Rising pitch competition are due February 6th.

Read about River Valley Community Grains, a fledgling grain hub operating in an old tractor repair building in Blairstown, NJ in this Dirt Magazine article by Becca Tucker.

UCCS Grain School Online 2026 begins February 2, 2026 and offers a flexible, year-long learning experience exploring grains from farming and processing to nutrition, health, and community. Designed for farmers, bakers, makers, educators, and grain-curious community members, the online course includes a live kickoff orientation on February 3 and self-paced content through April with self-paced access until the end of the year. Sign up here!

How do you highlight the things that you care about? That’s the question from Zuni Street Brewing’s lead brewer, Riley O’Connor, who is heading up a new brewing project called Still Here, a collaborative effort from over a dozen Denver-area breweries. 

Still Here partnered with Chris Schooley from Troubadour Maltings to use a pilsner malt grown by Eric Pfannenstiel at Rocky Mountain Hay Farms. Both unmalted and malted India Jammu wheat was provided by Boulder’s Dry Storage. Matthew Peetz of Propagate Labs also joined the project, providing a blended saison strain comprising two famed Belgian breweries, as well as a French brewery... [Read More Here]

Pueblo Seed & Food Co. is hiring for a bakehouse pro to join their team!

The position is ~32 hours/week (Wednesday through Saturday) in Cortez, CO.

Pueblo Seed & Food Co. grows heritage grains, seeds, chile peppers and garlic on their farm in Southwest Colorado and makes small batch artisan foods in their Seed & Bakehouse located at 25 N. Beech Street in Cortez, Colorado.

The Seed & Bakehouse is open on Fridays 12-6PM and Saturdays 9AM-3PM, offering baked goods with coffee & teas, pizzas, and sandwiches.

Email info@puebloseed.com for more information.

Join Nude Food's free 2026 Zero Waste Challenge! 21 days of learning and action items to inspire, motivate, and prepare you to live a zero-waste life! Open to anyone, anywhere. Share with your friends and do it together to start your new year sustainably.
 

Throughout the challenge you'll learn how to embody the 5 R's of Zero-Waste, how to swap out single-use and plastic items in your home for sustainable alternatives, and how to engage your neighbors and community in a culture of zero-waste living. 

If you complete the challenge, you'll be entered to win a $100 Zero Waste Essentials prize package from Nude Foods!

Sign up here! Challenge starts: January 12, 2026

When baker Christie Rich first heard about Winter Langin, she immediately wanted to use it for bread and pastries. The hard red winter wheat was enticing not only because it was specifically developed to grow in Colorado’s increasingly arid climate, but because she could source it from a farmer in Weld County, just 25 miles from her Fort Collins bakery, The Bread Chic.

“As a baker, I use all organic, and I try to use all local whenever possible. That seemed like a great way to do that,” she said.

But first, Rich had to find a way to mill the grain into flour. She considered doing it herself, but was too busy opening a second location — and baking at the first. That’s about the time she found Dry Storage, a Boulder-based mill on a mission to make locally grown grains more accessible to culinary minds in Colorado....[Read More Here]

WHAT: We are shaking things up with a one-of-a-kind reverse pitch competition. Instead of businesses pitching to buyers, we’re flipping the script—calling on innovators to create real solutions that meet Colorado’s food needs. The goal? Fast-track Colorado-made tamales* from idea to full-scale production, starting with schools and institutional markets, and expanding into retail and beyond.

WHO: We’re seeking a reliable, mission-aligned partner with production capacity that’s interested in taking a Colorado-based, value-added product from idea to reality. Ideal competitors would be co-manufacturers, co-packers, or existing brands interested in expanding.

WHEN: In-person pitch day will be on March 13, 2026. Specific location is still to be determined, but will be in/around Denver, CO. 

If you are interested in receiving the application to apply for this competition, please complete the interest form below by November 21, 2025. We will then send you the application form and competitor packet. 

INTEREST FORM: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOm4PEOtt8D-pn-bSvLZMZzYrZ-Kr_9gEPjtfp-OFy8IupWw/viewform

Resiliency isn’t just about bouncing back - it’s about rising stronger, together. 

On Monday, Nov. 17,  join Naturally Colorado at New Hope Network’s Boulder headquarters at 29th Street Mall in Boulder for an inspiring evening of connection, community, and conversation. 

We’re thrilled to welcome Karen Hertz, founder of Holidaily Brewing Company, as our keynote speaker. Karen turned her journey as a two-time cancer survivor into Colorado’s leading gluten-free brewery, proving that grit and purpose can fuel lasting success in CPG.

Expect an empowering keynote, meaningful networking with women from across the industry, and space to share both challenges and solutions. 

Guests will enjoy craft beer from Holidaily Brewing, nourishing bites from Just BE Kitchen, and a vibrant evening designed to uplift and inspire. This is your chance to connect with Colorado’s women leaders and changemakers as we strengthen our community heading into 2026.

Learn more and register at https://naturallycolorado.glueup.com/event/women-in-cpg-the-power-of-resiliency-157528/.

This event is open to both members of Naturally Colorado and the larger community.