NIGP 94445: Grain Farming (Not Otherwise Classified)

NIGP 94445 Grain Farming (Not Otherwise Classified), an Item code, covers state and local government leases of agricultural land for crop and livestock production, often bundled with water rights, irrigation infrastructure, and sustainability requirements. Recent solicitations show jurisdictions leasing open-space properties for hay, forage, commodity crops, organic fruit and vegetable production, and livestock grazing, with lessees required to demonstrate alignment with county or municipal sustainability goals, soil health practices, and efficient water use. The issuing bodies are municipal and county parks and open-space departments managing public land portfolios—specifically Boulder County Parks & Open Space (Agricultural Resources Division) and the City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department. These jurisdictions treat agricultural leasing as a conservation and land-stewardship function, evaluating operators not only on agricultural experience and financial capability but also on commitment to regenerative practices, carbon reduction, and educational or wildlife-habitat components.

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has issued at least three active RFPs for agricultural leases in the past four months: the AHI Agricultural Lease (RFP 27026, approximately 756 acres, due April 21, 2026) with a five-year term at $28,375 annually plus maintenance fees beginning 2027; the Wilkie Miller Agricultural Lease (RFP 27126, approximately 54.5 acres, due April 24, 2026) at $1,100 annually plus county reimbursement up to $8,000 for first-year weed control; and the James Construction Agricultural Lease (RFP 27426, approximately 31 acres, due May 8, 2026) at $2,700 annually including irrigation system fees. The City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department issued the Farming for Alamo Field Open Space RFP (RFP 2025-755-PRK-MP, 10 acres, due April 16, 2026) requiring a 5-year term with regenerative agriculture practices and a minimum 25 percent wildlife cropping component. All solicitations require mandatory pre-bid meetings, site visits, and liability insurance with the jurisdiction named as additional insured; none specify set-asides or restrictions on business type. Activity is concentrated in Colorado and New Mexico, with Boulder County emerging as a high-volume lessor of publicly held open-space acreage.