Page 30 - NAAF 2019 Annual Report

Leaders in Native agriculture:
Fast Track grantees
1 Alaska Village Initiatives – Anchorage, AK • ($1.5 million)
Alaska Village Initiatives is a nonprofit that advocates for Alaska Native people
and Native Alaskan villages in federal legislation and providing loans to agriculture
producers. Fast Track funding supported the creation of the Alaska Native Outreach
and Assistance Project, which is engaged in providing project grants and capacity
building, technical assistance and statewide outreach activities.
2 American Indian College Fund – Denver, CO • ($824,000)
The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships and other support for
Native American college students, administering more than 200 scholarship and career
readiness programs for students at all educational stages. Fast Track funding supported
the Keepseagle Native American Fellowship for Future Farmers and Ranchers for 40
Native American students studying farming and agriculture-related fields at land-grant
institutions.
3 American Indian Science and Engineering Society –
Albuquerque, NM • ($714,508)
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) exposes Native students
and their parents to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in K-12 and
higher education, as well as partnering with other organizations to conduct research
within STEM in Native communities. Fast Track funding supported the development
of the Advancing Agricultural Science Opportunities for Native Americans program,
and was used to fund agricultural research for students, as well as for students and
professional mentors to travel to conferences and participate in AISES programs.
4 Bay Mills Community College – Bay Mills Township, MI • ($298,503)
Bay Mills Community College focuses on sustainable agriculture and food systems,
health promotion, recruiting and retention, and community development, in addition
to operating Waishkey Bay Farm, a 40-acre training, research and incubator facility
focusing on sustainable agriculture and food production that is consistent with
traditional Anishinaabe values. Fast Track funding allowed the college’s Land-Grant
Department to increase the capacity of program staff, purchase new equipment for
Waishkey Bay Farm, add classes, and establish a mentorship program, demonstration
projects, workshops, internships and a summer youth experience.
Center Pole – Garryowen, MT • ($343,652)
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Center Pole is a Native-led organization on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana
that fosters food sovereignty by promoting a healthy community through an elder
and youth mentorship program, restoring a Native food economy, and heritage and
language education. Fast Track funding allowed the organization to expand its work
and purchase a truck, tools, and small equipment so community members – young and
old – can have hands-on learning opportunities centered around farming.
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6 Farm Aid – Cambridge, MA • ($219,285)
Farm Aid supports family farmers and ranchers through emergency and organizational
grants, runs the country’s only national farmer hotline, maintains a Farmer Resource
Network, facilitates a Farm Advocate Network and operates a Family Farm Disaster
Fund. Fast Track funding allowed Farm Aid to create a new program that will establish
a Native American Advisory Board and provide advocacy training in 2020 within
Native communities.
7 Farmers’ Legal Action Group – Saint Paul, MN • ($692,213)
The Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG) is a national nonprofit law firm that provides
legal services to family farmers and their communities, in addition to operating a
national legal hotline, analyzing policy, and participating in impact litigation. Fast
Track funding allowed FLAG to establish a Native American Agricultural Law
Center, which will expand legal services to Native American farmers and ranchers and
the advocates who serve them.
8 First Nations Development Institute – Longmont, CO • ($7 million)
The First Nations Development Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides grants
for economic development projects and technical assistance in Native communities.
First Nations used Fast Track funding to create a $5 million endowment to support
its agricultural grant program. Because no Oklahoma projects received cy pres funds,
First Nations committed to giving 15% of grants to projects in Oklahoma. Additional
Fast Track funding was used to provide technical assistance to grantees and to build the
capacity of Native food producers through trainings and scholarships.
First Nations Oweesta Corporation – Longmont, CO • ($1.5 million)
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The First Nations OWEESTA Corporation is the only Native-based Community
Development Financial Institution (CDFI) intermediary providing technical assistance,
financial support, training and related services to Native CDFIs across the country.
Fast Track funding supported OWEESTA’s Native Fresh Food Fund (increased loan
capital), capacity building (including a new webinar series), and annual Capital Access
convenings.
10 Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute – Santa Clara Pueblo, NM •
($184,236)
The Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute in New Mexico teaches classes on holistic
techniques and methods of healthy agriculture and farming-based lifestyles. Fast Track
funding expanded its training programs in traditional agriculture and funded a retreat
center and campground where people can stay and learn about traditional agriculture
methods.
Fort Belknap Indian Community of Montana – Harlem, MT • ($399,574)
The Fort Belknap Indian Community operates a revolving loan fund for tribal
members and established the Nakoda Aaniih Credit Agency to better coordinate
tribal government support for agriculture. Fast Track funding went toward hiring an
agribusiness resource liaison within the Farm and Ranch Services Bureau that helps
farmers and ranchers better understand agriculture finance, as well as supported the
Tribe’s revolving loan fund.
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