Grantee Highlight: Kalispel Indian Community

In the heart of the Kalispel Indian Reservation, located in Northern Washington State, the Kalispel Indian Community set out to redefine self-sufficiency, honor tradition, and cultivate community ties, all through meat processing and AgriBusiness workshops.

Processing meat on the Reservation has become a statement, a commitment to self-sufficiency and cultural respect. The limited off-site options, with just one licensed butcher shop in the county, meant long waits and high costs. By bringing the process home, they controlled the logistics and wove cultural practices into every step.

The goal was clear – empower Native farmers, engage the youth, elevate local agricultural practices and strengthen local food production and distribution systems through investments in Tribal meat processing efforts.

In year one of being a NAAF grantee, the Kalispel Indian Community has served over 40 local farmers and ranchers, and has donated more than 2,000 lbs of fresh beef and bison to their Tribal community and community members. To read the full blog post or to watch their grantee video, visit NativeAmericanAgricultureFund.org/grantee-stories.

NAAF Opens Office in Bismarck, North Dakota

The Native American Agriculture Fund is proud to share that we have opened an office location in Bismarck, North Dakota. 

North Dakota is the original trust situs of the Keepseagle v. Vilsack class action lawsuit. 

NAAF Trustee Claryca Mandan (Three Affiliated Tribes) explains, “As the lead plantiff in the Keepseagle v. Vilsack case and a trustee for the Native American Agriculture Fund, the significance of having an office where the lawsuit originated from is substantial. NAAF would not be here today without the many Native farmers, ranchers, and producers who came forward to share their challenges and experiences. An office in North Dakota pays homage to those that were discriminated against and is a constant reminder of NAAF’s mission and why we exist. We encourage you, if you are in the area, stop by and say hello to our staff.” 

The Bismarck, North Dakota office is up and running and NAAF has hired an Office Manager and Logistics Coordinator.

Meet Office Manager & Logistics Coordinator, LoRetta Heninger

LoRetta Heninger is from Bismarck North Dakota, currently residing across the river in Mandan, North Dakota. She grew up on a small ranch raising registered sheep and showing livestock across the state and Midwest as well as being involved in both 4-H and FFA. She attended Bismarck State College, receiving an Associates of Science with an emphasis in Agriculture Business.

NAAF was a proud sponsor of the 36th Annual Intertribal Agriculture Council Conference located in Las Vegas, NV. The conference helps increase tribal engagement and recruitment in order to produce webinars, technical assistance, and programming suited for what tribes, tribal farmers, ranchers, and producers are facing in current times. NAAF presented at the conference and announced the 2024 Request for Application period beginning March 1st and ending May 1st.

Come See us at AFBF 2024 - January 19-24

The Native American Agriculture Fund sponsors the 105th American Farm Bureau Federation's annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This conference will discuss the policies and perspectives that will affect your farm or agribusiness in 2024. We invite you all to visit with us at the AFBF conference on January 19-24.

BOT Applications Available

Note on Grantee Eligibility: 

Organizations led or managed by a sitting Trustee are not eligible for grants from NAAF while they are on the Board and for one year after their term(s) end. Those chosen to act as Trustees may continue their involvement with other non-affiliated entities through employment or board service. NAAF maintains a comprehensive conflict of interest policy that rigorously separates Trustees from discussions and decisions related to affiliated entities seeking funding. If you lead or manage an organization that may wish to apply for NAAF grants, please reach out to us at grants@nativeamericanagriculturefund.org to discuss the situation before you submit an application for Trustee. 

Qualifications of the Native American Agriculture Fund Board of Trustees:  

• Two-thirds of the Trustees must have substantial knowledge of agricultural issues, the needs of Native American farmers and ranchers, or other substantive knowledge relevant to accomplishing the Trust’s Mission
• At least one Trustee shall have professional finance and investment experience and  
• At least one Trustee shall have professional grant-making experience

Priority will be given to Keepseagle Claimants and those with Agriculture Production Experience. 

Other preferred qualifications include: 

• Keepseagle Claimant
• Documented Leadership experience
• Agriculture Production experience
• Knowledge and experience working with Tribal producers or Tribal entities
• Experience with similarly situated organizations
• Experience with private charitable trusts
• Current or prior CEO, CFO or COO or Tribal Leadership experience
• Relevant skill sets, including legal, finance, investment, auditing, government affairs, public relations, and community experience
• Knowledge of NAAF and NAAF’s stakeholder communities
• Agribusiness experience
• Philanthropy experience
• Non-profit management experience
• Documented board experience
• Aquaculture experience
• Ag Policy experience
• Ag Scientists  
• Ag Specialists  
• Extension Agents 

Finance experience:  

• MBA  
• CFA  
• Private Equity  
• Investment management   
• Fixed-income   
• Macroeconomics  

To learn more about how to apply and more information on other preferred qualifications please visit our website at https://nativeamericanagriculturefund.org/careers/.