Centennial State News

Colorado has introduced a new tool aimed at helping producers assess and improve soil health. The STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources) Tool is now accessible to all Colorado producers, allowing them to evaluate their fields on a nationally recognized scale that measures soil health. The tool provides a free score between 1 and 5, indicating the effectiveness of current agricultural practices in maintaining healthy soils.

Governor Polis emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Supporting Colorado farmers and ranchers is essential to continue to grow our agricultural sector, and build our economy. STAR is a revolutionary new tool that promotes healthy agricultural practices and is a convenient and cost-effective resource to ensure our agricultural community is able to maintain healthy soil, and protect the land for future generations of Colorado farmers and ranchers.”

Previously available only to participants in the Colorado Soil Health Program, the STAR Tool evaluates management practices against five key soil health principles: soil armoring, reducing soil disturbance, increasing plant diversity, maintaining a continuous living root, and integrating livestock.

Cindy Lair from the Colorado Department of Agriculture described STAR as “an easy, voluntary, and versatile tool to support conservation. It was created by farmers for farmers to help them make the most of limited resources and to make the best use of their available water.”

Producers can complete an evaluation form tailored to their crop type in about 10-15 minutes. This assessment results in a Conservation Innovation Plan (CIP), which offers resources for improving resilience against droughts and extreme weather conditions.

Additionally, those who evaluate their fields using the STAR Tool are eligible for a free comprehensive soil analysis if they are among the first 100 new fields assessed. The STAR Tool was developed with contributions from national STAR non-profit organizations, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), Colorado State University (CSU), and supported by a USDA Climate Smart Commodities Grant.

The program aligns with several strategic priorities set by CDA’s Conservation Services Division, including advancing environmental stewardship under CDA's Strategic Plan. For further details or assistance with using the tool, interested parties can visit startool.ag or email cda_star@state.co.us.