In support of young, beginning and small farmers, CoBank awarded Poudre Valley Community Farms a $20,000 general operating grant in late 2024 and renewed it in 2025. The grant helps PVCF serve its mission to cultivate community ownership of land and water for food production, contributing to regional food security and economic vitality. These grants matched American AgCredit's contribution to PVCF as part of a strategic collaboration.
CoBank invited PVCF to apply for the grant based on its organizational leadership and proven track record of securing farmland access and supporting sustainable livelihoods for small-scale and early-stage farmers. Securing long-term access to land is one of the biggest barriers for young, beginning and small farmers, as many lack the capital to purchase land outright. PVCF uses an innovative cooperative model to acquire and lease agricultural land long term to farmers and ranchers at below-market rates.
PVCF currently supports approximately 12 local producers, helping them grow a variety of crops and livestock. In 2024, farmers working with PVCF produced over 100,000 pounds of food and contributed to regional food banks and restaurants, strengthening food security and economic resilience.
Nic Koontz and Katie Slota, owners of Native Hill Farm, highlight the ways economic stability in farming can enable stronger sustainable farming practices: “Access to land and water has been the biggest challenge we have faced as young farmers in our Northern Colorado community. PVCF has helped to provide us with stable access to land and water, which has in turn allowed us to expand our operation and make our dreams of running a sustainable, triple bottom line agricultural business possible.”
Beyond securing land and water access, PVCF supports farmers with resource sharing, mentorship, technical assistance and networking opportunities. This helps farmers like Reiden Leslie, owner of Little Sun Farm, who entered farming from a different background: “I got into gardening and wanted to grow food at a larger scale. Thinking back to my relatives and Native American ancestry inspired me to take the leap into farming.”
PVCF used the grant to establish a new land access and management position to secure farmland, negotiate conservation-focused leases and manage shared resources and facilities construction. Looking ahead, PVCF aims to complete shared-use facilities for washing, packing and storage and increase capacity for local produce distribution.
“Our partnership with CoBank reflects what’s possible when mission-driven finance and community-rooted agriculture align. Together, we’re investing in land, water and people, ensuring the next generation of farmers can build a sustainable future right here in Colorado,” said Stacy Lischka, executive director of PVCF.