$200K grant for disadvantaged Native American farmers, ranchers



LONGMONT, Colorado – The First Nations Development Institute has received a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach to boost the viability and profitability of Native American farmers and ranchers while also improving their knowledge of and access to USDA resources in general.

The project will provide training and outreach to two cohorts totaling 27 selected Native farmers and ranchers and tribal farm-to-school programs. It aims to increase their successful participation in USDA programs and build their capacity to manage agriculture and food-system operations in their communities.

The first cohort will continue efforts with 12 Native farmers and ranchers who participated in First Nations’ 2016 training and are engaged in tribal farm-to-school programs. They will participate in trainings using First Nations’ The Business of Indian Agriculture curriculum, which is designed to help farmers and ranchers succeed in managing their businesses.

Through the training the goal is to teach them how to develop a business plan, set up bookkeeping systems and marketing. In addition, information on accessing available USDA farm-to-school resources will be presented.

Upon completion of the training, participants will be provided professional technical assistance to create plans that will prepare them to apply to the USDA for Farm-to-School Program grants in the fall.

The second cohort will involve 15 Native farmers and ranchers who have stated an interest in participating in additional USDA programs. They will attend a new training focused on that topic, and will also receive follow-up technical assistance on creating business plans.

Upon completion, participants will be prepared to apply for USDA loan programs, EQIP participation and/or other USDA grants.

“The Business of Indian Agriculture trainings are proving to be very impactful for our attendees, and they are requesting more individualized training,” Jackie Francke, First Nations vice president of Programs and Administration, said. “We are very excited to assist in advancing their efforts by providing individualized assistance to accelerate their businesses to the next level.”

The Business of Indian Agriculture trainings will be held March 21-23 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for producers, and June 27-29 in Phoenix for trainers.

If interested in attending, register at https://www.regonline.com/BoIAMarch2017 or https://www.regonline.com/BoIAJune2017, respectively.