Take action: Advocate for full FDPIR 638 Pilot Program funding

Advocate for full FDPIR 638 Pilot Program funding

Section 4003(b) of the 2018 Farm Bill authorizes an additional $5 million for tribal organizations to enter into 638 self-determination contracts to procure foods for FDPIR packages – a major victory for Indian Country. The provision was first introduced by Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) Chairman John Hoeven (R-ND) and Vice Chairman Tom Udall (D-NM) in S. 2804, the Cultivating Resources, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Sustainability (“CROPS”) for Indian Country Act , which allows tribal governments to purchase culturally relevant foods directly from tribal farmers, ranchers and producers thus stimulating a tribal food economy.

Eye on Appropriations

Today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will markup up its FY 2020 appropriations package. Section 757 of the bill appropriates $3 million for the FDPIR 638 Pilot Program to remain available until September 30, 2021.

Advocacy needed!

The Native Farm Bill Coalition is appreciative of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee’s efforts to allocate $3 million for this demonstration project. However, $3 million will not adequately support a successful demonstration project. To ensure the Pilot Program’s success and to identify additional areas of improvement and/or account for regional variances, the Pilot Program should be fully funded and if possible, more than one FDPIR 638 Pilot Program should be awarded.

For this reason, tribal governments must continue advocating to their representatives, members of the full House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee to appropriate $5 million, if not more, in the FY 2020 USDA appropriations package.

To make our voices heard, we encourage you to reach out to members of the House and Senate appropriations committees and advocate for this funding. Below are two different template letters you can use:

NativeFarmBillCoalition.org