Accessing New Markets For Producers in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana by Strengthening Supply Chain Infrastructure

Commodities

• Agronomic: other
• Vegetables: other
• Miscellaneous: other

Practices

• Education and Training: technical assistance
• Sustainable Communities: infrastructure analysis, values-based supply chains

This two-year project will train 225 individuals in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana to collaboratively identify and develop strategic business plans to support the processing, handling, storage and marketing infrastructure necessary to grow profitable market opportunities for grain, pulse and specialty crop producers. The markets for many niche and specialized crops are dependent on having processing infrastructure located close to production or retail areas that reduce freight costs and spoilage losses and increase financial returns. This processing capability also must correspond to increasingly demanding industry or market requirements for product conformation, such as moisture content, protein levels, shelf life and quality parameters. Three elements are important:

1. knowing specifications for product volume, condition, and packaging in emerging markets;
2. being able to plan for and access the equipment and information necessary to meet these specifications; and
3. having the personnel available and qualified to work with the supply chain partners instrumental in reaching wholesale or retail markets for these products.

A train-the-trainer program will facilitate growers, agricultural professionals such as Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Small Business Development Centers and agricultural lenders, and supply chain partners to create a shared knowledge base to: 1) increase understanding of supply chain and human resource requirements necessary for building sustainable markets for grains, pulses and specialty crops; 2) build or enhance relationships between growers, their supply chain partners and agricultural professionals; 3) develop strategic business plans specific to two businesses or collaboratives in each state that demonstrate the investments, relationships and timelines required to create and support expanded markets for grains, pulses and specialty crops; and 4) provide a durable resource hub that participants will access during and following the project to support their ongoing learning and regional/state strategy plan development. Project personnel and cooperators will meet these goals through regular evaluation and collaboration.

The objectives of this project are to identify the resources, technical assistance needs, industry specifications and market opportunities that will strengthen regional supply chains and expand market access for grains, pulse and specialty crops across Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Specifically, the project will:

1. Increase knowledge about and understanding of supply chain and human resource requirements necessary for building sustainable markets for grains, pulses and specialty crops in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. By April 2027, at least 225 growers, ag professionals, and supply chain partners will be educated on existing and potential infrastructure models in the region. Growers include those producing grains, pulses and specialty crops. Agricultural professionals include Extension, community college, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Small Business Development Center, agricultural bankers, other financing partners, Farm Service Agency, and Farm Credit Services. Supply chain partners include the processors, handlers, and food hubs that clean, certify, store, mill and distribute raw product, semi-finished ingredients, and value-added foods.
2. Build and enhance relationships among growers, agricultural professionals, and supply chain partners, beginning in October 2026, by having participants from each state learn via webinar how to design business and contractual models that better adapt to variations in product quality resulting from production stressors.
3. Develop strategic business plans for two operations in each state by April 2028 detailing the investments, the suite of products and their respective volumes, the partnerships, and timelines required to create and support expanded markets for grains, pulses and specialty crops. Participants will be encouraged to attend more than one convening in their state to apply their knowledge and continue building networks.
4. Create a durable online resource hub by October 2026 to support grower, agricultural professional, and supply chain partners' ongoing learning, collaboration, and to showcase potentially replicable regional and state strategies.