Boulder County commissioners on Tuesday approved approximately $305,000 in awards to seven local farms as part of the Sustainable Food and Agricultural Fund’s first year of grant-making.

“It’s impressive to see all the efforts Boulder County farmers and producers are already taking to promote soil health and support regenerative agriculture,” Commissioner Elise Jones said. The county received 42 applications requesting $2.5 million in total funds.

Voters in November 2016 approved a ballot initiative to set aside a portion of sales and use tax revenue for sustainable infrastructure and programming. The program accepted applications that addressed soil health, local food production and farming education.

The largest award of $55,000 went to Aspen Moon Farm to purchase equipment for use in regenerative agriculture. Specifically, it will enable the farm to practice crop rotation, production of local grains and seed saving. Aspen Moon estimates that it can produce 45 tons of grain after the project.

Awards also included $40,000 each to Ollin Farms, McCauley Family Farms and Sky Pilot Farms; $41,416 to Cure Organic Farm; $43,500 to Black Cat Farm; and $46,300 to Cottonwood Farm. Ollin Farms plans to use its money for a demonstration project in Longmont, providing five areas to give insight into carbon cycling, pollinator sanctuaries, data collection and other community-learning opportunities.