2023 Grantees
After a competitive review process, the following organizations were awarded grants during the 2023 Request for Applications cycle.
Any questions about these 2023 Grantees can be sent to grants@NativeAmericanAgricultureFund.org.
501(c)(3)
1. Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association
2. Farm Journal Agricultural Foundation
Washington D.C.
Website: https://www.farmjournalfoundation.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarmJournalFoundation/
X: https://twitter.com/FarmJFoundation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FarmJournalFoundation/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/farm-journal-foundation/
501c3
The Farm Journal Agricultural Foundation’s 12-month project will develop a Native Conservation Programs Landscape Assessment Resource, scored so Native producers and their trusted advisers can quickly determine which conservation and climate-smart programs provide greatest access to capital. This will enable faster decision-making, a smoother application process and program visibility.
3. Farmers' Legal Action Group (FLAG)
Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG)
St. Paul, MN
Website: http://www.flaginc.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarmersLegal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/farmerslegal
501c3
For their NAAF-funded project, FLAG will work to increase Native producers’ access to capital and resources by: 1) providing legal services/information/materials to Native producers/organizations; 2) conducting targeted outreach to Native producers/organizations to expand reach and impact; 3) providing direct legal services to Native farmers/ranchers.
4. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Albuquerque, NM
Website: https://indianpueblo.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indianpueblo/
X: https://twitter.com/indianpueblo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianpueblo/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/IndianPueblo
501c3
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) is constructing its onsite Entrepreneur Complex to offer spaces, technologies and resources to assist Native entrepreneurs, initially focusing on the food and ag industry. Their goal is to facilitate training incorporating their Resilience Garden and also provide cold transport and pickup/delivery to assist Native growers/recipients.
5. Mālama Kauaʻi
Kilauea, HI
Website: https://malamakauai.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malama.kauai/
X: https://twitter.com/malamakauai/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malama_kauai/?hl=en
501c3
6. NACA Inspired Schools Network (NISN)
Albuquerque, NM
Website: https://www.nacainspiredschoolsnetwork.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nacainspiredschoolsnetwork
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nisn_strongertogether/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NISNetwork
501c3
7. Nalwoodi Denzhone, Strength and Beauty Community, Inc. (NDC)
San Carlos, AZ
Website: https://apachendc.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apacheNDC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nalwoodi_denzhone/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nalwoodi-denzhone-community/?viewAsMember=true
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6kYT4XAuf7TMzai2CSQTKA?view_as=subscriber
8. Tanka Fund
Kyle, SD
Website: https://www.tankafund.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TankaFund
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tankafund/
X: https://twitter.com/TankaFund
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tankafund
501c3
Tanka Fund will develop an equipment-sharing program for Native buffalo producers, including current Tanka Fund partner producers in the Great Plains Region and Texas. The program will provide opportunities for greater access to capital through direct training and equipment access, enabling producers to be more self-sustaining.
9. The People's Partner Community Development
Lame Deer, MT
Website: https://www.peoplespartners.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ppcdncr/
501c3
10. Village Earth
Fort Collins, CO
Website: https://villageearth.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VillageEarth/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villageearth/
X: https://twitter.com/VillageEarthOrg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/village-earth/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/csvbd
501c3
CDFI
11. Akiptan, Inc.
Eagle Butte, SD
Website: https://www.akiptan.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AkiptanInc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akiptaninc/
X: https://twitter.com/AkiptanInc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/akiptan/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQSy-vuXK6KmqW2o8_w8mQ
CDFI
Akiptan will provide direct access to capital via loans and equity grants to spur producer prosperity and strengthen ag businesses, and will provide succession and generational wealth programming to further provide a holistic approach to producers that ensures business sustainability and asset development.
12. Choctaw Home Finance Corporation
Hugo, OK
Website: http://www.choctawhomefinance.web-loans.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/choctawnationofoklahoma/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choctawnationok
X: https://twitter.com/choctawnationOK
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/choctaw-nation-of-oklahoma/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/choctawnationvideo
CDFI
The Choctaw Home Finance Corporation will enhance access to capital for Native producers by providing comprehensive training, education, and technical support. They will equip them with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage their agricultural operations, overcome financial barriers, and successfully secure capital to support their enterprises. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) Agricultural Inflation Relief Fund Program will be a Native-led program aimed to offset the costs of inflation and supply chain shortages for Choctaw agricultural producers and serves as a catalyst to create a comprehensive tribal agriculture producer database for future use by CNO.
13. Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation
Shawnee, OK
Website: https://cpcdc.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpncdfi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/citizen-potawatomi-community-development/about/
CDFI
The Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation (CPCDC) will seek Native producers through targeted market advertising and directly to those producing on trust land. CPCDC provides an Agriculture Lending Program to meet the needs of Native Farmers and Ranchers access to capital, complemented by TA and scholarships.
14. Four Bands Community Fund
Eagle Butte, SD
Website: https://fourbands.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FourBandsCommunityFund/
X: https://twitter.com/four_bands
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/four.bands/
CDFI
Four Bands Community Fund will help start, sustain, or expand up to 12 Native-owned ag operations through customized combinations of loan capital, equity infusions, and business coaching services. Four Bands Community Fund will utilize a portion of their grant to implement the Special Focus project, “Increasing Market Access for Cheyenne River Producers,” in order to increase awareness of and expand the farmers market within the community, as well as build the financial, business planning, and marketing skills of participating producers.
15. Lummi CDFI
Bellingham, WA
Website: https://www.lummicdfi.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PacificNorthwestTribalLending
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pnwtriballending/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pntl/
CDFI
Utilizing Lummi CDFI’s existing and growing lending program and loan products, deploy NAAF RLF resources to Native fisheries, ag entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Simultaneously, support all clients, inquiries, and loan applicants with consultation, coaching, training, and access to small business tools and resources.
16. Native American Community Development Corporation Financial Services
Browning, MT
Website: https://www.nacdcfinancialservices.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NACDCFinancialServices/
X: https://twitter.com/NACDCFS
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR3WaKLnfI5nZ1DsCosJSEA
CDFI
NACDCFS will use a 2023 NAAF award to increase access to affordable, fixed-rate capital for Native ag producers through direct loans and agribusiness training and technical assistance services. They will also conduct a food sovereignty study identifying opportunities to increase growth for Native farmers and ranchers on the Blackfeet Reservation.
17. Nixyáawii Community Financial Services (NCFS)
Pendleton, OR
Website: https://www.nixyaawii-cdfi.org/
CDFI
Nixyáawii Community Financial Services (NCFS) will leverage NAAF loan capital with their recently awarded SSBI allocation, a Business Oregon grant (forgivable loans) to provide direct access to capital through loans and grant capital for ag-related small businesses.
18. Northern Shores Community Development, Inc.
Harbor Springs, MI
Website: https://nscdi.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069538608238
CDFI
The Northern Shores Community Development, Inc. (NSCDI) grant project will build and strengthen the products, services, training, and resources for their Native agri/aqua business owners and emerging owners for enhanced access to capital, business risk-management products, networking/collaboration, and Native Fisheries Co-op.
19. Northwest Native Development Fund
Coulee Dam, WA
Website: https://thenndf.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNNDF
CDFI
The Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF) will leverage and deploy NAAF funding directly to Native Ag producers/harvesters/fishers. Meanwhile the NNDF will be able to increase their outreach and marketing to the Native Ag community with face-to-face conversations and a total deployment of funds directly to Native producers.
20. Wind River Development Fund
Fort Washakie, WY
Website: https://wrdf.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windriver.developmentfund
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wind-river-development-fund/?viewAsMember=true
CDFI
The Wind River Development Fund will continue its strong mission and proven success in deploying affordable loan capital and grants to Native agricultural producers on the Wind River Reservation. In addition, they will provide technical assistance and group learning opportunities, and serve as a repository for agricultural resources.
EDU Orgs
21. Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona
Phoenix, AZ
Website: https://www.azregents.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AZRegents
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azregents/
X: https://twitter.com/azregents
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arizona-board-of-regents/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/abornews
EDU Org
The Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona will expand upon the training of the previous NAAF grant projects to include testing and finalizing animal curriculum and resources, adding emergency management training, training trainers to ensure program continuation, and creating Tribal Agricultural Stewardship Kits (TASKs) and Livestock TASKs to provide complete resources at the tribal level.
22. Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO
Website: https://www.fortlewis.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FortLewis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortlewiscollege/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FLCDurango
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FLCDurango
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/fort-lewis-college/
EDU Org
Fort Lewis College will provide access to agricultural education, technical support, and capital through paid agricultural work, living stipends, and scholarships. Throughout, they aim to be responsive to the unique needs of Native producers and respond to recommendations from a group of Indigenous food systems leaders and past participants.
23. Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
Fayetteville, AR
Website: https://www.indigenousfoodandag.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousFoodandAg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodsovereignty/
X: https://twitter.com/ifaiuark
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@indigenousfoodandagricultu5136
EDU Org
24. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM
Website: https://www.nmsu.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newmexicostateuniversity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmsu/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/new-mexico-state-university/
EDU Org
This New Mexico State University project will service Native farmers and ranchers through financial education (including identifying access to capital avenues), technical assistance through financial analysis, and workshops that focus on freeze-dry manufacturing licensing and regulation compliance, juxtaposed with the freeze-dry manufacturing of produce and meat.
25. Tohono O'odham Community College
Sells, AZ
Website: https://tocc.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tohonooodhamcc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwZFYSOL7WFi2nkejO8ZSvw
EDU Org
Tohono O’odham Community College (TOCC) will partner with Native American Horse Education Foundation (NAHEF) to provide an eight-week farrier certification training course at no cost to tribal members. This course seeks to improve the lives of tribal members, offer career opportunities, promote economic sustainability (access to capital), and improve the health of horses owned by tribal members.
26. United Tribes Technical College
Bismarck, ND
Website: https://uttc.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedtribestech
X: https://twitter.com/unitedtribesnd
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCud4ue0vYN9DlifM1pMjqaw
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/united-tribes-technical-college/
EDU Org
UTTC proposes to use funds for the continued construction of a 4-season greenhouse on campus turning it into a fully operational and professional facility. The greenhouse will be integrated into UTTC’s academic programs and extension/outreach activities. Tribal students attending UTTC, often face challenges meeting basic needs and acquiring the tools needed to succeed. UTTC Land Grant proposes to support the next generation of native agriculture producers, by using funds for monthly student stipends, student equipment, travel opportunities, degree administration and infrastructure development.
Tribes
27. Colusa Indian Community Council
Colusa, CA
Website: https://www.colusa-nsn.gov/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colusa-Indian-Community-Council/125853090803107
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/colusa-indian-community-council/
Tribes
The Korru Kuy: Exploring the Potential Agricultural Diversification of Cachil Dehe Tribal Lands project will produce two feasibility studies for culturally appropriate agricultural practices that will help the Tribe determine the most economically viable project to improve their food sovereignty and access to capital.
28. Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
Kinder, LA
Website: https://www.coushatta.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coushattapowwow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coushatta_tribe_of_la/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6ktsS02j1jOuNebJzpyrA
Tribes
The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Rice-Crawfish Pilot establishes a 200-acre pilot cultivating hybrid, high-value rice with a rotation crop of crawfish. The pilot will establish a foundation for the Tribe to establish a viable agricultural enterprise and capacity for the Tribe to reclaim land currently being leased to non-Native producers.
29. Crow Creek Sioux Tribe- Hunkpati Processors
Ft. Thompson, SD
Website: https://hunkpatioyate.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071571848702
Tribes
Crow Creek Farms will plan and develop a site for sustainable storage solutions for the farm crops and purchase storage bins for grain and other crops, as they currently have to transport hundreds of miles away to other agricultural storage facilities.
30. Fort Belknap Indian Community
Harlem, MT
Website: https://ftbelknap.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FortBelknap
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fbic_official/
Tribes
The FBIC TDA and Tribal Producer market access project will provide travel opportunities to various agriculture-based trade shows and conventions to increase their producers’ ability to network within the agricultural sector, which will increase our producers’ marketability in the future.
31. Fort Berthold Land and Livestock Association
New Town, ND
Website: https://www.mhanation.com/charters
Tribes
The Fort Berthold Land and Livestock Association will provide its members with small grants to purchase fencing materials and install new fences in their respective range units. By offering these small grants for fencing material, the FBLLA will provide access to capital that producers would not have had access to otherwise.
32. Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria
Santa Rosa, CA
Website: https://www.stewartspoint.org/wp2/
Tribes
Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria will establish a new Kashia Department of Agriculture to oversee and facilitate the development of agriculture and aquaculture production on Kashia lands and waters by Tribally-owned and Tribal-member-owned enterprises.
33. Navajo Agricultural Products Industry
Farmington, NM
Website: https://napi.navajopride.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavajoPrideNAPI
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navajopridenapi/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCysaXAfx3ZNNjH6EhKln5xQ
Tribes
The Value-added project will allow Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI) to continue producing a higher volume of native corn products to accommodate the needs of Navajo people of all ages. The additional revenue will allow NAPI to continue improving services to the Navajo Nation and the local agricultural communities.
34. Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma- Division of Agriculture
Pawnee, OK
Website: https://pawneenation.org/pawnee-nation-operations-agricultural-research-and-development/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PawneeNationofOklahoma
X: https://twitter.com/PawneeNation
Tribes
Through the two-year funding of an Agricultural Land Management and Outreach Coordinator, the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma will develop a detailed plan to enter a 638 self-contracting agreement to fund more positions and outreach activities for their newly formed Division of Agriculture, incorporating input from all stakeholders and tribal agricultural producers.
35. Penobscot Nation
Indian Island, Maine
Website: https://www.penobscotnation.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PenobscotNationTribalAdministration/
Tribes
Penobscot Tribal Farms Expansion and Sustainability effort will focus NAAF’s investment 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.
36. Quapaw Services Authority
Quapaw, OK
Website: https://www.quapawtribe.com/472/Quapaw-Services-Authority-QSA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OGAHPAH/
X: https://twitter.com/quapaw_nation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4PvCGhfjGsJMCIy8qPalzA
Tribes
The Quapaw Services Authority project will provide infrastructure and equipment investments to build capital for QFSD. The investment will directly benefit the QFSD and their vendors and Native farmers by improving their ability to harvest, clean, and sanitize locally grown food products and generate more economic development.
37. Three Affiliated Tribes - MHA Nation
New Town, ND
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHANationOfficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhanationofficial/
Tribes
Recognizing that Agriculture is one of the dominant sectors of the Fort Berthold Reservation’s economy and that a strong agricultural economy is vital to long-term well-being, Three Affiliated Tribes – MHA Nation will establish the basic structure for and implement a Tribal Department of Agriculture.
38. Yavapai-Apache Nation
Camp Verde, AZ
Website: https://yavapai-apache.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiApacheTribe
Tribes
The Yavapai-Apache Nation (YAN) agricultural department is in the process of reclaiming a tract of land from the tribal mining operation. They aim to put this reclaimed land into production as soon as possible, and with NAAF funding YAN will install a 20-acre quarter pivot irrigation system.
Youth Projects
39. Akiptan, Inc.
Eagle Butte, SD
Website: https://www.akiptan.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AkiptanInc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akiptaninc/
X: https://twitter.com/AkiptanInc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/akiptan/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQSy-vuXK6KmqW2o8_w8mQ
Youth Projects
Akiptan will host Year 3 of the Okhichanye Scholarship, which will support educational advancement in the Native ag field and Year 3 of the Internship Program that will give interns hands-on experience and build their capacity to access capital; and lastly, Year 2 of the Youth Age Business Plan Competition where youth will put together a business plan.
40. Colusa Indian Community Council
Colusa, CA
Website: https://www.colusa-nsn.gov/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colusa-Indian-Community-Council/125853090803107
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/colusa-indian-community-council/
Youth Projects
The Colusa Indian Community (CIC) Youth Ag Council is a transformative program that empowers and educates Tribal youth by providing hands-on training in ag, covering everything from planting techniques to navigating the process of bringing their products to market. The Seed to Market Program will foster a generation of ag leaders rooted in their cultural heritage.
41. Dream of Wild Health
Minneapolis, MN
Website: https://dreamofwildhealth.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamofwildhealth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamofwildhealth/
X: https://twitter.com/dreamwildhealth
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dream-of-wild-health/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8DFpbxS6M4UmVlntxs0uiQ
Youth Projects
Dream of Wild Health programs provide culturally-based lessons for youth, ages 8-18, through an Indigenous lens. The farm provides a safe and creative learning environment to learn about regenerative organic gardening, healthy foods preparation and nutrition, and Native cultural traditions while gaining employment and leadership skills.
42. HoChunk Community Capital, Inc.
Winnebago, NE
Website: https://hochunkcdfi.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hochunkcommunitycapital
Youth Projects
HoChunk Community Capital, Inc. NAAF-funded project will Introduce Native youth to the vast industries in the agriculture sector, spur financial literacy into adulthood, grow further interest into higher education, careers, and small agribusiness opportunities with access to technical assistance and lending capital from the CDFI, as well as create a culturally relevant curriculum with their partners at 4H.
43. Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
Fayetteville, AR
Website: https://www.indigenousfoodandag.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousFoodandAg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodsovereignty/
X: https://twitter.com/ifaiuark
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@indigenousfoodandagricultu5136
Youth Projects
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit has served over 500 Native youth, and with NAAF funding will continue to provide educational opportunities from Indian Country Ag Experts around agricultural business and finance, agricultural law and policy, nutrition and health, and land stewardship.
44. Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness
Bangor, ME
Website: https://wabanakiphw.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WabanakiPHW
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wabanakiphw/
X: https://twitter.com/WabanakiPHW
Youth Projects
The Nuci-micuwakonuhkecik (‘Food Gatherers’ in the Passamaquoddy language) project will engage 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. Financial literacy and small business development education will be included in the monthly activities.