2026 Colorado Farmer & Rancher Assistance Sheet

Having trouble figuring out what agricultural assistance is actually available? Start here.

Cattleman’s Creed wants to help Colorado farmers and ranchers identify programs that may fit their operation, organize the information needed to apply, and connect with the correct agencies and professionals.

Tell us where you need help:

Water & Irrigation — irrigation improvements, water management, stock water, drought resilience and water conservation.

•Soil & Crop Production — soil testing, nutrient management, soil health, erosion, cover crops and conservation practices.

• Livestock & Grazing — grazing management, pasture improvements, fencing, stock-water systems and livestock risk programs.

• Drought, Wildfire & Disaster — recovery assistance, emergency conservation, livestock/crop losses and emergency financing.

•Forest & Rangeland — forest health, fuels reduction, grazing-land improvement and conservation planning.

•Funding & Cost-Share Programs — identifying potentially applicable USDA, NRCS, FSA and Colorado programs.

•Application Preparation — helping organize maps, farm records, soil information, project descriptions, photographs and other supporting material.

• Agricultural Advocacy — documenting problems producers encounter with programs and bringing those concerns to the appropriate policymakers and agencies.

Colorado NRCS currently lists EQIP, CSP, ACEP, EWP and RCPP among its financial-assistance programs and accepts applications continuously, although applications are ranked and funded during funding cycles.

Colorado’s ACT NOW process can expedite qualifying EQIP and CSP projects that meet established ranking thresholds. NRCS specifically recommends that producers have FSA eligibility records established and be prepared with information such as crop rotations, soil testing, nutrient-management information and soil-health assessments when applicable.

For disaster situations, Colorado FSA administers programs including the Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Farm Loans.

Cattleman’s Creed would not determine USDA eligibility, award government money or guarantee funding. Our job would be to help producers understand the system, become better prepared and get connected with the people who actually administer the programs.

Cattleman’s Creed

Protect the water. Strengthen the soil. Support the producer. Preserve American agriculture.