The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces $10 million in grants awarded to Tribes, non-profits, educational institutions, and community development financial institutions serving Native American farmers and ranchers. NAAF is in its sixth year of grantmaking, reaching $76 million since the first funding cycle impacting more than 450 distinct projects across Indian Country. 

NAAF’s announcement of 35 new grant projects impact Native American farmers, ranchers, fishers, harvesters, and community producers across more than 80 Tribal nations through education and technical assistance, community-centric and cultural models of economic development, loans and scholarships, and various other projects that increase access to capital.

“Over the past five years of grantmaking, additional capital resources that support Native farmers and ranchers continue to create lasting solutions that will reinforce efforts to address barriers and help producers thrive. Grant projects can create more access to capital not only by direct financial opportunity but also by building an ecosystem where Native producers have equitable resources to fully participate in the food supply chain and contribute to the long-term economic success of their tribal communities,” says Toni Stanger-McLaughlin (Colville), CEO of the Native American Agriculture Fund. 

To read the full press release, click here.  

Stacy Leeds Named Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Native American Agriculture Fund

Leeds brings a wealth of experience and passion for agricultural law, education and economic development. NAAF is the largest philanthropic organization providing grants to advance agriculture through tribal communities and support for Native American farmers and ranchers. 

To read the full press release, click here.

USDA Final Equity Convening

The Power of Partnerships: Delivering on the Promise for the People’s Department.”

September 25, 2024

Location: USDA Headquarters in Washington D.C.

Networking Fair: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (EDT)

Official Program: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM (EDT)

Opening remarks during the program will be available on the USDA Live website: https://www.usda.gov/media/live at 12:30 P.M. (EDT). Participation in the afternoon panel sessions and closing ceremony is only available in-person. 

This event will mark seven months since the release of the USDA Equity Commission’s Final Report at the National Equity Summit and the capstone of the eight regional equity convenings that were held this year. In celebration of this milestone, the Final Convening will be a half-day event to highlight partners and stakeholders who have been a part of our ongoing journey to make programs and services more accessible and equitable. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in several activities to learn about USDA partnerships and the actions and accomplishments of equity work across the Department.

FDPIR Supply Chain Disruptions Follow-Up Consultation

What: FDPIR Supply Chain Disruptions Follow-Up Consultation

Where: 35th Annual NAFDPIR Conference

Muckleshoot Casino Resort

Auburn, WA

When: Wednesday, October 9, 2024

2:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time

RSVP:  Whether attending in person or remotely, please register.

Details: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is hosting a Tribal Consultation Follow-Up regarding the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) supply chain disruptions. This will be a continuation of the consultation held on Thursday, September 12, 2024. The short, medium, and long-term response actions will form the basis for this consultation.

• DTLL FDPIR Warehouse Consultation (PDF, 133 KB)
• Proxy Letter Template
• Meeting Registration - Zoom

Watch Farm Aid’s “Rural Call to Action for All”

on Sept. 20

Watch Virtually: Farm Aid's YouTube Channel

On Friday, September 20 Farm Aid held its annual Farmer Forum in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The Farm Aid Farmer Forum “A Rural Call to Action for All,” focused on building community power, fighting polarization, strengthening a rural-urban coalitions as a tools for hope and progress. The forum illuminated issues related to discrimination in our food and farming systems.

Listen to NAAF's CEO, Toni Stanger-McLaughlin, as she discusses the vital role of diversity and equity in shaping the future of U.S. agriculture.

“We will always be part of this land, and we should always be part of the voice in overseeing what happens to this land regardless of ownership because for us, there is a spiritual connection to this land.”

JOIN NAAF STAFF BEHIND THE SCENES AS THEY

VISIT GRANTEES IN MAINE

Come behind the scenes with us as the NAAF Director of Programs, Chanel Ford, and Grants Compliance Officer Lenora Moore visit several grantees in Maine!

Grantees featured:

➡️ Wabanaki Public Health | Bangor, ME

The Nuci-micuwakonuhkecik (‘Food Gatherers’ in the Passamaquoddy language) project engages tribal youth ages 10-18 years old in traditional food growing, harvesting, and preparation practices through monthly themed events which coincide with seasonal foods, hunting and fishing activities.

➡️ Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township | Princeton, ME

Wabanaki Unagi is working on establishing a Tribal aquaculture enterprise that grows American eel. The project will support over 700 Native harvesters, increasing the price per pound, stabilizing the market, and creating agriculture-based employment on the reservation.

➡️ Passamaquoddy Wild Blueberry Company (PWBC) | Columbia Falls, ME

PWBC’s core mission is to preserve and share the millennia-old blueberry picking tradition of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and other Tribes from Maine and the Canadian Maritimes.

PWBC aims to increase value-added production of branded, frozen blueberries and create an internship program for Tribal youth.

➡️ Penobscot Nation | Indian Island, ME

Penobscot Tribal Farms Expansion and Sustainability Effort uses NAAF funds on building organization capacity, establishing critical agriculture infrastructure, increasing access to more local food, and exploring the most viable options for value-added production based on key assets, market research, and demand on resources. 

Are you a Native American student passionate about agriculture, food systems, or environmental stewardship? The Tribal Agriculture Fellowship (TAF) is now accepting applications for its 2025 cohort!

Deadline: January 17th, 2025, 5 PM Central Time

TAF is designed to aid Native students in achieving their educational goals leading to careers in agriculture. The fellowship program provides a generous benefits package that can include up to four years of fellowship status, with funding to earn agricultural degrees or technical certifications.

• Rising and current technical, undergraduate, and graduate students
• Provide proof of Tribal enrollment or community connectedness
• Upon selection for TAF, provide acceptance/enrollment information for selected academic or certificate program

This unique fellowship offers financial support, mentorship, and hands-on experience to help you develop your skills and make a lasting impact in your community. Fellows will be able to engage with leaders in Native agriculture, learn sustainable practices, and gain access to a powerful network of peers and professionals.

Don't miss your chance to be part of the next generation of Native agricultural leaders. Apply today or share this announcement to help shape the future of Indigenous food sovereignty.

For more information about TAF or the application, click here.

SEEKING: Applicants with Agriculture Production Experience

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/.

The first episode covers an introduction to Native American agriculture and a brief overview of the impact Keepseagle v Vilsack had on Native producers. Hear from our guest speakers, Claryca Mandan, Porter Holder, and Toni Stanger-McLaughlin as they recount their experiences from the Keepseagle case.