Seven NextGen Projects Receive Grants to Cultivate Colorado’s Ag Leadership

The Colorado Department Agriculture (CDA) has selected four organizations and three educational institutions to receive NextGen Ag Leadership Grants for projects supporting educational, training, and leadership development opportunities for Colorado's emerging food and agriculture leaders.

This year, CDA awarded more than $156,000 to seven grantees serving diverse populations across the state. Overall, the NextGen Ag Leadership Grant Program received 72 applications requesting nearly $1.5 million in funding.

"Supporting future generations and developing leaders are among the top priorities for CDA and this program is an incredible investment into the future of agriculture in Colorado," said Amanda Laban, CDA's Markets Division Director. "Each year we look for ways to leverage dollars in the most impactful way to provide truly meaningful opportunities to those looking to start or expand their skills in agriculture."

Projects supported by this grant help future leaders grow by gaining new skills or experiences.

"This grant allows us to invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders while honoring the deep-rooted traditions that have shaped Stratton and Eastern Colorado," said Julie Anne Shue, Superintendent of Stratton School District R-4, one of this year's grant recipients. "It's about ensuring our students are equipped to carry forward a proud legacy that has always valued hard work, leadership, and community."

The following organizations and educational institutions were selected for funding:

1. Adams State University (Alamosa county) will offer field trips for agribusiness students to engage with industry leaders, explore available career paths, and develop their advocacy skills.
2. Ag & Food Lab (Adams county) will expand its agribusiness incubator, develop a tool library, and offer community workshops and farm tours.
3. Colorado State University Extension (Statewide) will develop a cohort of young leaders to deepen their understanding of Colorado's food system, participate in peer-to-peer learning and mentorship, and present at the 2026 Colorado Food Summit.
4. Hispanic Women's Farming Proyecto (Larimer, Weld counties) will hire, train, and mentor an apprentice to become its first paid, bilingual director and lead the organization into its next chapter.
5. San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition (Alamosa county) will expand its Rising Stewards summer program and offer internships to teens leading garden tours and helping with the seasonal harvest.
6. Stratton School District R-4 (Kit Carson county) will develop a multigenerational mentorship program and toolkit, host a speaker series, and provide internships and certifications to build students' interest and sense of belonging in agriculture early.
7. Valley Food Partnership (Montrose, Delta counties) will provide educational workshops to producers through its Cultivating Farmers and Ranchers that Thrive program.

NextGen Ag Leadership Grants are available annually. The program website will be updated with information about next year's application cycle, and anyone can sign up for email updates about this grant opportunity.

Supporting future generations of agriculturalists is one of CDA's strategic priorities. This priority includes increasing access to land and capital for beginning farmers, expanding internships and educational opportunities, and promoting agricultural science and career exploration for students. Developing leaders has been one of CDA's Wildly Important Goals for several years, and focuses on cultivating a strong network of leaders who can drive Colorado's agricultural future.