2021 Grantees
After a competitive review process, the following organizations were awarded grants during the 2021 Request for Applications cycle.
Any questions about these 2021 Grantees can be sent to grants@NativeAmericanAgricultureFund.org.
1. American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, Inc.
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) promotes agritourism on American Indian Reservations. AIANTA will use NAAF funding to build access to credit in Native communities through technical assistance, marketing opportunities, and relevant trainings and resources related to agriculture.
2. Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance
The Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance (BNGA) is a cooperative effort by the tribes associated with the Great Plains region. With NAAF funding, BNGA will enhance communication between Native communities, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations to better address the needs of great plains producers.
3. Diné Community Development Corporation
The Dine Community Development Corporation (DCDC) promotes the expansion of cooperatives in the Navajo Nation. The DCDC will apply NAAF funding to develop readily accessible cooperative services, and enhance marketing and processing opportunities for Navajo Nations farmers and ranchers.
4. Ecotrust
Ecotrust works with organizations to provide equitable outcomes for a climate-smart future. Ecotrust in collaboration with the Hoopa Valley Tribe are committed to use NAAF funding to create a cost-benefit analysis for the tribe’s forest management activities.
5. Healthy Futures Inc
Healthy Futures Inc.(HFI) partners with community-based organizations to address under-served populations’ educational quality and health issues. HFI will use NAAF funding to develop business planning skills for American Indian farmers and ranchers to better prepare Native producers to apply for Federal, State or foundation funding opportunities.
6. Intertribal Agriculture Council
The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) promotes conservation and the development of agricultural resources on Indian lands. With NAAF funding, IAC will address access to credit for American Indian producers and enable collaborative systems to create opportunities, as well as enhance the participation of native land stewards in the regenerative agriculture movement.
7. Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute
The Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute (KALI) supports the Alutiiq community members through community development and education. KALI will use NAAF funds to create at least 8 Alaska Native-owned aquatic kelp farms by developing business plans, applying for permits, and teaching training courses for beginning farmers.
8. Makoce Agriculture Development Inc.
Makoce is working to expand our Regenerative Farmer Initiative through courses and training opportunities that will increase the number of local food system producers. We are also working to update our Mobile Poultry Processing Unit so that it meets USDA guidelines, allowing our producers access to a commercial market.
9. NACA Inspired Schools Network
NACA Inspired Schools Network (NISN) helps create excellent schools in the communities they serve. Using NAAF funding, NISN will make an Indigenous Farm Hub to host a paid agriculture residency program to help teach Native community members agriculture technical assistance, operations, and business planning to create agriculture opportunities in their tribal communities.
10. Native American Horse Education Foundation
The Native American Horse Education Foundation (NAHEF) is a 501c3 entity to train tribal members to improve the well-being of their community and their horses. NAHEF will use NAAF funding to partner with tribal communities and provide a two week training course in the art of farriering.
11. Native Conservancy
12. New Mexico Community Capital
New Mexico Community Capital (NMCC) promotes Native-owned businesses by providing technical and advocacy services. NMCC will provide training and invest in Native-owned farms with NAAF funding to help build credit and access to equipment for Native producers.
13. Port Gamble S'Klallam Foundation
Port Gamble S’Klallam Foundation (PGSF) improves the lives of its community members with projects dedicated to preserving cultural heritage. With NAAF funding, PGSF will create access to the seafood market in the region by providing incentives and training.
14. Sustainable Molokai
Sustainable Molokai (SM) is a 501c3 dedicated to offering sustainable solutions through Molokai cultural heritage principles. SM will work with 21 Native Hawaiian farmers to launch successful sustainable chicken egg businesses with NAAF funding.
15. Tanka Fund
The Tanka Fund (TF) is a 501c3 whose primary mission is to bring back the buffalo to Indian Country. Using NAAF funding, TF will provide Native buffalo producers greater access to capital derived from education and training to be successful.
16. Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation
Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation (TVCDC) is a 501c3 organization established to address the many needs of their Lakota community. With NAAF funding, TVCDC will enhance tribal food soveriegnty through financial and agricultural-related services to increase value-added foods and economic development opportunities on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
17. Tolani Lake Enterprises Inc.
Tolani Lake Enterprises Inc.(TLEI) is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening food, water, and economic security in the southwestern section of the Navajo Nation. TLEI will continue to expand its programming using NAAF funding to provide training, technical assistance, and mini-grants to Native producers across the U.S.
18. Village Earth
Village Earth is a 501c3 non-profit organization established to help reconnect communities to resources that may help their human well-being. Village Earth are dedicated to helping expand land and agriculture data on the Native Land Information System for tribal nations and Native agriculture producers.
19. Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council
The Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council (WTCAC) provides a forum for eleven Native American Tribes in Wisconsin on natural resources and agriculture issues. With NAAF funding, WTCAC will develop a statewide collaborative effort to help train the next generation of Native American farmers and ranchers.
20. Zuni Youth Enrichment Project
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP) promotes Zuni youth in the areas of health and Zuni culture. ZYEP will promote Zuni food sovereignty and all its aspects by using NAAF funds to enhance capacity building and agriculture education for future generations.
21. Akiptan, Inc.
Akiptan Inc. is a Native CDFI who aims to fairly provide capital and technical support to Native Farmers and Ranchers. Using NAAF funding, they will complete a market study, provide further access to capital for Native producers and create new loan products for Native Farmers and Ranchers.
22. College of Menominee Nation
The College of Menominee Nation is a Tribal College/University (TCU) and they currently offer courses in sustainable agriculture on their campus. Utilizing NAAF funding, they will organize workshops, facilitate discussions and expand agricultural course offerings by holding micro-credential courses about Native agribusinesses, sustainability practices, and the local Native community.
23. Fort Lewis College
Fort Lewis College is an institution of higher learning that currently offers agriculturally related certificate programs. They will apply NAAF funding to improve access to capital, agriculture education, technical support and will begin providing trainings, promoting land exploration and providing re-grants for beginning farmers and ranchers.
24. Four Bands Community Fund
Four Bands Community Fund is a Native CDFI that provides opportunities for small business development and wealth building specifically on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. With NAAF funding, they aim to break intergenerational poverty by providing loan capital, equity bundles, matched retirement accounts, and financial literacy training.
25. HoChunk Community Capital, Inc.
HoChunk Capital is a Native CDFI that focuses primarily on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and economic development with the Winnebago Tribe. With NAAF funding, they will help Native entrepreneurs develop agriculture enterprises, provide technical assistance, help market produce at a farmers market sales location and provide capital for business startups.
26. Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation
Humboldt State University was established in 1913 and provides more than 50 majors on its campus. With NAAF funding, Humboldt will build the very first Native American Studies Food Sovereignty Lab. This lab will bring together Tribal Nations and researchers, while providing advocacy and technical support for Native farmers and ranchers.
27. Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, University of Arkansas School of Law
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) is dedicated to tribal food sovereignty and advancing traditional foods. With NAAF funding, IFAI will create an Indigenous Food and Agriculture Law program that will specialize in educating its learners about the unique legal issues that Indigenous producers see firsthand daily. They will also continue their annual Native Youth in Agriculture Leadership Summit which will offer 50 beginning farmers and ranchers 100 hours of agriculture education and policy training pertaining to capital access; and provide both classroom and hands on learning experiences in conservation, land stewardship and natural resource management as a means to combating climate change for beginning Native farmers and ranchers.
28. Lummi CDFI
The Lummi CDFI offers access to capital for Native entrepreneurs which is based on honoring Indigenous practices and principles. The Lummi CDFI will use NAAF funds to provide capital to Native fishermen and upcoming entrepreneurs. Funding will also provide technical assistance via zoom meetings, podcasts, and one on one options for producers.
29. Mvskoke Loan Fund
The Mvskoke Loan Fund is a Native CDFI that provides consumer lending, small business lending and agribusiness lending. With NAAF funding, they will provide technical support and training, expand the financial capital available to disadvantaged Native farmers and ranchers and encourage further growth of Native agribusinesses.
30. Native 360 Loan Fund
Native 360 Loan Fund is a Native CDFI that provides capital and technical assistance to Native business owners. Using NAAF funding, they will provide access to capital for producers and create a business plan aimed at financing farm equipment through an established partnership with Akan (John Deere).
31. Native CDFI Network, Inc.
The Native CDFI Network is a national network that seeks to unify Native CDFI’s. With NAAF funding, they will create a Native CDFI Intermediary which will help extend their agriculture and food producer loan pool. Funding will assist in providing long term low interest loans to applicants seeking capital in Indian Country.
32. Nebraska Indian Community College
Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) is an accredited Tribal College/University focused on educating every individual that steps through their doors. With NAAF funding the college and their community partners will cohesively develop courses to build capital and agribusinesses, business entrepreneurship, agricultural management and drone technology and its usefulness among agricultural producers.
33. Northern Shores Community Development
Northern Shores Community Development, Inc. is a Native CDFI that provides loans for farmers and ranchers and other business owners. With NAAF funding, they will provide access to capital and increase agribusiness growth in their community. With agriculture teachers, they will also teach sustainability and independence principles to Native farmers, ranchers and fishers.
34. Northwest Native Development Fund
The Northwest Native Development Fund’s is a Native CDFI that empowers entrepreneurs and strives to meet community needs by providing access to capital. With NAAF funding, capital will be disbursed to Native producers. Education and trainings on large animals, forestry and fisheries will also be provided to agricultural producers.
35. Robeson Community College
Robeson Community College (RCC) provides technical training and academic opportunity for college students. With NAAF funding, RCC will provide access to capital, engage with community business leaders along with Native farmers and ranchers in order to implement agriculture business management courses and entrepreneurship opportunities for the sector.
36. Spruce Root, Inc.
Spruce Root, Inc. is a Native CDFI dedicated to helping businesses by providing access to capital and technical assistance. They will utilize NAAF funding to develop the Southeast Alaska Food Catalyst Fellowship. This fellowship will assist with developing local food security by preserving traditional food knowledges and promoting food sovereignty.
37. The Peoples Partner for Community Development
The Peoples Partners for Community Development is a Native CDFI invested in economic development of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. NAAF funding will assist in providing financial literacy for youth and capital access for Northern Cheyenne Farmers and Ranchers in order to allow their business operations the opportunity to be transferred intergenerationally.
38. University of North Carolina at Pembroke
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) was founded in 1887 and prides itself in promoting diversity and affordability. Utilizing NAAF funding, they will implement the Native STEPS program that is designed to attract students who are interested in sustainable agriculture courses based on entrepreneurship principles and practices.
39. Wind River Development Fund
Wind River Development Fund is a Native CDFI promoting self-sufficiency and providing capital and technical assistance. With NAAF funding, they’ll implement the Wind River Ag Business Development project to increase capital access to farmers and ranchers, provide technical assistance, business planning, agriculture education and one on one support to producers.
40. Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes have made successful strides in revitalizing their agricultural roots. With NAAF funding they will conduct research and a hemp feasibility study that will help inform their nation on best practices for them moving forward in this newer industry.
41. Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation continue to invest in their youth in a multitude of ways. Using NAAF funding they will provide scholarships and internships to Yakama students seeking agriculture related certifications and degrees, building capacity in their communities for agricultural sustainability.
42. Lower Brule Corporation
The tribal instrumentality Lower Brule Corporation has a long legacy of agricultural production. They plan to use NAAF funds to explore ways to optimize the sales of their products through a feasibility study, market assessment, strategic business planning, graphic and web design, and direct marketing setup.
43. Muscogee (Creek) Nation
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation manages a wide array of agricultural operations. With NAAF funding they plan to diversify their portfolio by offering grant opportunities and training for tribal farmers and ranchers interested in aquaponics.
44. Owens Valley Indian Water Commission
The Owens Valley Indian Water Commission (OVIWC) is Tribally chartered and consists of three member tribes: Bishop, Big Pine, and Lone Pine Paiute Tribes. With NAAF funding they will provide agricultural re-grants, as well as offer educational trainings, credit advocacy, and resources to support Native farmers and ranchers.
45. Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township
The Passamaquoddy Tribe has a rich and long history harvesting maple syrup that has evolved into a successful business venture. They will expand their existing maple syrup operations using NAAF funding and continue to amplify their presence in retail and wholesale markets.
46. Quapaw Services Authority
The Quapaw Services Authority oversees multiple successful agricultural operations. They plan to expand their current Quapaw Farmers Market offerings with NAAF funding to help improve their Native producers’ ability to maintain their available supplies during high and increasing demand periods.
47. Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Wisconsin the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa operate Mino Bimaadiziiwin Farm which plays an important role in advancing food sovereignty goals of the tribe. They plan to use NAAF funding to hire a Food Sovereignty Coordinator that will provide support and help further cultivate their initiatives.
48. San Xavier Cooperative Association, Inc.
The San Xavier Cooperative Farm has stewarded Tohono O’odham lands using traditional agricultural and foraging practices for decades. They will expand their education and outreach utilizing NAAF funds to benefit O’odham people and producers in southern Arizona that are heavily impacted by drought, poverty, and diabetes.
49. Stockbridge-Munsee Community
The Stockbridge-Munsee Community aims to increase access to capital for Native producers by creating economic opportunities and building food resources within the community. With NAAF funding they will create a Native led food hub that will increase economic opportunities for Native producers and increase local food availability within the community.
50. Swinomish Tribe
The Swinomish Tribe is committed to preserving and promoting traditional foods in the Pacific Northwest. Using NAAF funds they will conduct research to ensure that Swinomish cultivation of their traditional foods, specifically camas, is resilient to climate impacts, builds healthy soils, and promotes biodiversity on the reservation.
51. Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians is engaged in multiple Tribal agricultural initiatives. With NAAF funding they will ensure their agricultural enterprises are well managed and that Tribal producers have access to resources they need to be successful with the development of a tribal Agriculture Department.
52. United Houma Nation
The United Houma Nation’s mission is the preservation and promotion of traditional Houma customs and knowledge. Using NAAF funding they will create the Tribal Education Center and Library that will provide resources and educational programming to promote agriculture and fishing, as well as a beekeeping pilot program for tribal citizens.
53. Walker River Paiute Tribe
The Walker River Paiute Tribe, located on a high desert land base, is critically aware of the importance of water. With NAAF funding they will upgrade irrigation canals on the reservation that will allow for water savings during extreme drought, as well as conduct educational workshops for tribal producers.
54. Yurok Tribe Environmental Program
The Yurok Tribe Environmental Program is dedicated to reconnecting youth to their culture. With NAAF funding they will develop the Klamath Food Village, a centralized location for the procurement and processing of traditional foods, production of contemporary foods through gardens and orchards, and cultural practices that extend beyond food.