2025 Grantees

After a competitive review process, the following organizations were awarded grants during the 2025 Request for Applications cycle.

Any questions about these 2025 Grantees can be sent to grants@NativeAmericanAgricultureFund.org.

Read 2025 Grantee Announcement

501c3

American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture

 Project: Purple Plow Challenge

Washington, DC

501c3
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture will develop and launch a new Purple Plow Challenge focused on Native American student interests such as resilience and food security, providing authentic, hands-on learning opportunities that connect science, technology, and agriculture. Through this project, students will identify a real agricultural issue, design and test a solution, and present their finding, helping to build critical skills in leadership, problem-solving, and financial literacy. The project will include educator training, resource development, and broad outreach to Native schools, after-school programs, 4-H clubs, and other community groups. By inspiring young Native learners to engage with agriculture in ways that are both culturally relevant and academically rigorous, the program will strengthen their connection to food systems, open pathways to future careers in agriculture and STEM, and contribute to more resilient Native communities.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

 Project: EC Advances Native Food Entrepreneurship through Training, Infrastructure Access, and Innovation

Albuquerque, NM

501c3

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) in Albuquerque is supporting Pueblo food entrepreneurs through business seminars, farm and garden trainings, and stipends for 90 Native entrepreneurs. The project addresses gaps in mentorship, funding, and market access by providing training in financial planning, sales strategies, and technical support to help participants become investment-ready. By reducing early financial risks and promoting regenerative agriculture, IPCC aims to build sustainable food businesses, diversify revenue, and strengthen access to capital in alignment with NAAF’s mission. This project aims to address access to capital by providing financial support to cover startup costs and educational workshops. It reduces early financial risks, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on business growth without the burden of immediate debt. The initiative also incorporates agricultural risk management training to build sustainable operations and diversify revenue sources.

Intertribal Agriculture Council

 Project: Beginning and Small Capital Enhancement

Billings, MT

501c3
The IAC Young, Beginning & Small Capital Enhancement Project expands access to capital for Native producers through a partnership between the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) and Native Agriculture Financial Services (NAFS). Together, they combine education, flexible lending, and technical assistance to support young, beginning, and small (YBS) producers across Indian Country. Native youth (ages 14–26) will receive grants to launch agriculture or food systems projects, along with tools like budget templates, resume support, and one-on-one help with loan applications. After completing training, participants can apply for NAFS YBS loans, which offer lower interest rates, streamlined approval, and flexible terms for equipment, livestock, or operational needs. The project also provides regular check-ins, targeted coaching, and a calendar of learning opportunities on topics such as business planning, conservation, and value-added production. This approach builds financial skills, strengthens operations, and connects producers to mentors and markets.
Michigan State University

 Project: Co-Creating Seed Saving Spaces to Develop Native Food Sovereignty and Seed Entrepreneurship

East Lansing, MI

501c3

Michigan State University’s project Co-Creating Seed Saving Spaces to Develop Native Food Sovereignty and Seed Entrepreneurship aims to partner with Native communities in Nebraska to establish seed saver accelerator spaces that strengthen food and seed sovereignty. These spaces will be equipped for cleaning, storing, and sharing rare and culturally significant seeds.
Funding will also support internships for college students and young adults in Nebraska. Interns will assist coordinators in developing seed saver spaces and organizing related programs, while also receiving mentorship from the project team to advance their education and career pathways.
Native Agriculture Financial Services : Project 1

Project: Lending and Credit Enhancements for Native Agriculture Infrastructure and Land Stewardship Borrowers

Fayetteville, AR

The Native Agriculture Financial Service (NAFS) serves as a trusted lender, supplying capital and technical assistance to support agriculture production, rural business development, and infrastructure specifically for Native American farmers, ranchers, and agricultural communities. The 501c3’s project Lending and Credit Enhancements for Native Agriculture Infrastructure and Land Stewardship Borrowers tackles one of the most significant barriers in Native agriculture, access to credit, while also enhancing the quality and reach of services available to producers. By fostering opportunities for more Native agriculturalists to enter and thrive in the field, the project invests in the next generation of food producers and land stewards. In addition, it will produce a detailed report offering actionable recommendations to decision-makers, paving the way for expanded financial pathways that support infrastructure growth and sustainable land management across Native communities.

Native Agriculture Financial Services : Project 2

Project: Going the Extra Mile: Deepening Loan Underwriting and Advocacy in Native Agriculture

Fayetteville, AR

501c3

Native Agriculture Financial Services (NAFS) strengthens Tribal communities by empowering Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and providing technical assistance to Native producers. Their initiative focuses on business incorporation, entity selection, and tax analysis to improve loan underwriting and expand access to capital. Through training sessions and webinars, NAFS equips both CDFIs and producers with essential financial tools, helping ensure sustainability and resilience. With strong demand for their underwriting school and a team of expert advisors, NAFS aims to drive economic empowerment and support the mission of the Native American Agriculture Fund to enhance capital access in Indian Country.
Pohaha I Ka Lani

Project: Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Indigenous Agroecological Infrastructure in Waipiʻo Valley

Kurtistown, HI

Pohaha I Ka Lani, a 501c3 based in Kurtistown, Hawai‘i, serves Native producers across the islands. Through its project Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Indigenous Agroecological Infrastructure in Waipiʻo Valley, the organization restores Native ecology and advances reforestation, building healthier soils while equipping producers with the knowledge and skills to thrive. In a region where agriculture faces unique challenges, the program weaves modern technology with traditional land stewardship to increase production, enhance sustainability, and cultivate a resilient agricultural future.
Tolani Lake Enterprises Inc.

 Project: Building Native Producers Capacity through the Vertically Integrated Food Entrepreneurship Cente

Winslow, AZ

501c3

Tolani Lake Enterprises (TLE), based in Tolani Lake, Arizona, is launching a two-year training and technical assistance program to strengthen food, water, and economic systems for Native communities in the Little Colorado River Watershed. The project will serve at least 60 producers by providing tailored technical assistance, workshops on food entrepreneurship and regenerative agriculture, and access to capital through a mini-grant system. By fostering collaboration at the Sihasin Market Garden and creating online markets, TLE will expand sales opportunities, improve food access, and build a stronger local food economy. Aligned with NAAF’s mission, the project emphasizes capacity-building, advocacy, and regenerative practices that reflect cultural values to promote long-term sustainability and community resilience.
To Nizhoni Ani

 Project: Tó Nizhóní Ání Restorative Economy: combined Food Sovereignty and Watershed Restoration Projects

Kykotsmovi, AZ

501c3
Tó Nizhóní Ání, or “Sacred Water Speaks,” is a Diné-led 501c3 organization in the Black Mesa region of the Navajo Nation that focuses on protecting water sources from industrial exploitation while empowering Indigenous communities impacted by coal mining. The project aims to serve rural Navajo communities by revitalizing agriculture and improving food sovereignty. The project’s primary objectives include enhancing groundwater protection, restoring traditional farmland, educating new farmers, and building partnerships to strengthen community resilience. Tó Nizhóní Ání (TNA) responds to challenges faced by rural communities by providing training and technical support for farmers, allowing them to grow and sell healthy traditional foods while accessing necessary capital. TNA plans to reinvigorate dry farming practices while teaching farmers how to collect and record data and facilitating pathways for proper land use permitting. The project emphasizes education, record keeping, financial literacy workshops, and infrastructure investments. These details aim to restore food systems and foster economic development within their community.

CDFI

Akiptan, Inc. : Project 1

Project: Access to Capital, Access to Success

Eagle Butte, SD

CDFI

Akiptan, Inc. is a proficient Tribal agricultural lender that has committed nearly $37 million in loans to Native producers across the nation. With their project Access to Capital, Access to Success, they intend to build on their success of infusing capital into Indian Country for the advancement of Tribal producers. There is clearly a chronic need for loan access on Indian Reservations and Akiptan has attempted to fill that niche. Across the board, agriculture is inherently a risk-laden enterprise. Akiptan has taken the lead in strategizing on risk management by innovatively piloting a succession planning framework to build inter-generational wealth for Tribal producers in order to weather shorter term financial storms. With this grant, in addition to continued lending, Akiptan will expand their succession planning services.

Akiptan, Inc. - Youth

Akiptan, Inc. is an industry leader in Native agriculture lending, actively implementing The Akiptan Tȟéčake čiŋ Initiatives to empower youth within the community. The overarching goals of these initiatives focus on fostering business acumen and promoting food security. Key programs include the Youth Owozu Program, which develops a youth-centered curriculum to help participants create garden-based businesses, and the Okhichanye Scholarships, which expand educational access for high school seniors pursuing agriculture degrees. The Youth Business Plan Competition also provides practical skills through funding and technical support for young entrepreneurs to implement their business ideas. The Youth Equity Grant program ensures direct access to capital by offering grants for agricultural endeavors. Meanwhile, the Internship Program connects youth with hands-on experience in agriculture and financial literacy training. Akiptan’s leadership emphasizes the importance of education, mentorship, and opportunity, ensuring these transformative programs continue to empower the next generation of agricultural leaders.  

Four Bands Community Fund

Project: Expanding Access to Capital & Building Equity

Eagle Butte, SD 

CDFI

Four Bands Community Fund is a Native-led 501c3 based in South Dakota in the heart of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Through their project, Native producers will gain access to loan capital to expand and improve their agricultural enterprises, equity bundles that build long-term financial stability, and personalized business coaching to sharpen skills and strengthen risk management strategies. These combined efforts are designed not only to enhance agricultural productivity but also to spark job creation, promote economic growth, and ensure lasting sustainability for Native-owned operations. By pairing direct financial investment with culturally attuned, hands-on coaching, the program equips Native American farmers and ranchers with both the resources and the practical knowledge to thrive. This model builds resilience, fosters self-determination, and advances economic sovereignty—ensuring that agriculture remains a strong, sustainable foundation for generations to come.

 

Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending

Project: 2025 PNTL Services for Native Producers, Harvesters, and Fishers

Bellingham, WA

CDFI

Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending, better known as Lummi CDFI is a lending entity that began with the Lummi Nation but has since expanded their reach to other Tribes in Northwest Washington. With their project 2025 PNTL Services for Native Producers, Harvesters, and Fishers, this CDFI intends to enhance the capital access infrastructure through strategic community projects and the expansion of their revolving loan fund (RLF). Lummi CDFI recognizes that in order to mitigate the uncertain economic conditions that exist today, it will require strategic but flexible fiscal maneuvers. This lender plans to address the dual challenges of communities that lack training to successfully navigate current financial instruments and the chronic lack of resources by providing a comprehensive suite of services leading to direct access to capital, but with a focus on Tribal fishers.
The Peoples Partner for Community Development
Project: PPCD Agriculture Program
Lame Deer, MT

CDFI

The Peoples Partner for Community Development (PPCD) is a CDFI located on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation serving the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, the Crow Nation, and the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana. With their project PPCD Agriculture Program, they intend to deploy hundreds of thousands of dollars in loan capital to qualified Tribal producers. Access to capital is always a challenge in rural Montana and the situation is complicated by lack of financial education. To increase the number of qualified loan applicants PPCD will provide extensive financial education to the communities. To better service loans granted, PPCD will provide continuous financial coaching to successful loan applicants in increase their ability to manage their loans.

EDU Orgs

Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona

Project: Expanding Tribal Capacity to Improve Animal/Human Health and Enhance Economic Sustainability

Tucson, AZ

EDU Org

The University of Arizona College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) fully utilizes its FRTEP staff to engage Tribal members throughout the state. With this NAAF grant, UA will implement its project Expanding Tribal Capacity to Improve Animal/Human Health and Enhance Economic Sustainability. They will expand upon their previous work with the Arizona Tribes, which will include testing/finalizing curriculum and resources, adding emergency management training to include a “train the trainers” strategy for program perpetuation, and building, resupplying, and distributing Tribal Agriculture Stewardship Kits (TASKs). Goals of this project include building on their large animal curriculum while increasing team focus on sheep and small stock methodologies. Thus far, FRTEP staff have outreached to Tribal communities to produce materials in the Apache, Navajo, Hopi, and O’odham languages, with more to follow.

Bay Mills Community College

Project: Bay Mills Community College Mii azhigwa ji-azhe-mamooyaang indakiiminaan miinawaa endazhi-mino-ganawendamaang nimiijiminaan (Land Requisition & Infrastructure)

Brimley, MI

EDU Org

Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Superior within the Bay Mills Indian Community (BMIC), the Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) serves as Michigan’s first fully accredited, Tribally controlled college. BMCC meets the educational needs of a wide variety of students through its remote, rural Main Campus, West Campus, Waishkey Bay Farm site, off-campus sites, and online courses. BMCC intends to strengthen food sovereignty efforts in their community through their new project titled Bay Mills Community College Mii azhigwa ji-azhe-mamooyaang indakiiminaan miinawaa endazhi-mino-ganawendamaang nimiijiminaan (Land Requisition & Infrastructure). This project supports Bay Mills Community College community farm in strengthening food sovereignty through investments in land acquisition, pasture improvement, freezer storage, and year-round workshop access. These enhancements increase agricultural capacity, climate resilience, and sustainable management of traditional lands and food systems.

Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, University of Arkansas School of Law

Project: Growing the Potential of Native Youth in Agriculture and Food Systems

Fayetteville, AR

EDU Org

The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) supports Tribal Nations through various agricultural programming and technical assistance in establishing Tribal nation-to-nation relationships with the federal government in agriculture. IFAI seeks to expand upon this through their project, Growing the Potential of Native Youth in Agriculture and Food Systems, which will build on the success of the Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit while growing their resources for young producers to include a Self-Advocacy Guide for accessing credit, a digital curriculum, and a peer-mentoring program for Native producers. This project will focus on building the skills and knowledge of Native youth as they establish their careers in agriculture while navigating rapidly shifting trade and regulatory environments. This project will directly address access to capital by creating a Self-Advocacy Guide to support young, Native farmers and ranchers as they seek loans and financing, as well as through a webinar learning series, peer mentoring program and The Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit.

Little Priest Tribal College

Project: Precisely Mapping our Student’s Success into Careers and Farming

Winnebago, NE

EDU Org

Little Priest Tribal College (LPTC) is a TCU (Tribal Colleges & Universities) serving the Omaha and Winnebago Tribes in Nebraska and Iowa. The region is highly agricultural and college leadership recognized several technical areas that regularly have an insufficient number of trained and certified professionals to fill those positions. To provide a career path to these well compensated positions LPTC’s project Precisely Mapping our Student’s Success into Careers and Farming, will help redesign their existing coursework to integrate certification preparation and practical technology training in order to equip students with industry relevant, safe, and up-to-date agricultural spray and GPS technology. These certification pathways will immediately enhance student employability and interrupt local producers’ reliance on seeking technical services from providers outside the area.

New Mexico State University

Project: Tribal Resilience in Agriculture

Las Cruces, NM

EDU Org

For years, the American Indian Business Enterprise (AIBE) at New Mexico State University has worked with Tribal farmers from the New Mexico Pueblos, the Navajo Nation, and other Tribal members in the region. AIBE has identified an ongoing concern among Tribal farmers: the issue of food perishability from remote locations due to an underdeveloped packaging and shipping infrastructure. This causes significant financial losses. With this NAAF grant, AIBE intends to provide regulatory compliance training and to implement a freeze-drying regimen with a packaging process that takes Native produce to a market-ready state. Introducing lyophilization into the farm-to-market chain is an innovative approach to extend the life and market-readiness of Native-grown produce in New Mexico. AIBE intends to build on previous relationships with Tribal producers and high-volume markets through technical assistance and network outreach.

Sequoyah High School

Project: Sequoyah High School Vocational Agriculture Program Launch

Tahlequah, OK

EDU Org

The Sequoyah High School Vocational Agriculture Program aims to empower Native American youth grades 9 through 12 through agricultural education, financial literacy, and hands-on experiences in farming, ranching, and livestock management. Located within the Cherokee Nation Reservation in Oklahoma, Sequoyah High School serves a predominantly Indigenous student population, with 99% of students being Native American. By launching a vocational curriculum, establishing a local FFA chapter, and fostering community partnerships, the program seeks to equip students with the skills, leadership, and access to capital needed for future careers in agriculture. The program will serve 120 Native students in its first year—empowering youth to connect with their heritage, explore agricultural careers, and strengthen their leadership for the future of Native communities.

United Tribes Technical College

Project: United Tribes Technical College Farm Stand

Bismarck, ND

EDU Org

The United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) in Bismark, North Dakota, is a Tribal land grant institution, providing post-secondary education and training to benefit Tribal students from across the nation. This project will construct a customer-friendly farm stand that becomes an integrated part of UTTC’s courses and programs. Once completed, the stand will offer students hands-on experience in every aspect of running an agribusiness, from production and harvest to direct-to-consumer sales. Through this work, students will gain valuable skills in risk assessment and risk management, preparing them to sustain and grow their future agricultural ventures. Serving as both a learning lab and a public-facing hub, the farm stand will advance the college’s food sovereignty and food security initiatives, providing the community with fresh, healthy foods while connecting them to the important agricultural work and programming happening at UTTC.
University of Michigan

Project: The Lakota Agriculture Project

Ann Arbor, MI

EDU Org

Through the Lakota Agriculture Project, the University of Michigan aims to expand agricultural education and practices that directly support food sovereignty and sustainability, specifically for Native American youth. This initiative will exclusively serve Tribal students in Rapid City and the surrounding rural counties and reservations. The project will integrate traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and STEM education, providing lessons and mentoring focusing solely on Native youth. The initiative has several interconnected objectives to enhance community engagement, education, and sustainability. These include obtaining input from the Native community to refine the teaching farm and positive youth development (PYD) curriculum, facilitating the integration of western scientific perspectives with TEK, addressing access to capital for Native farmers, promoting positive youth development through culturally grounded curricula, and ensuring the program’s long-term sustainability by developing a roadmap and training community members in grant writing. The project aims to foster deep community investment, increased youth knowledge and confidence in agroecology, and enhanced well-being, creating a unique connection between STEM and agriculture for the youth involved.

Wingate High School, Bureau of Indian Education : Project 1

Project: Roots to Rise

Washington, DC

EDU Org

Wingate High School, operated by the Bureau of Indian Education, serves students on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. Through the project titled Roots to Rise: Revitalizing Indigenous Agriculture Through Education, students will have first-hand experience engaging in agriculture through a living classroom and greenhouse. This hands-on learning environment will equip students with real-world agricultural skills, from small-scale gardening to large-scale production knowledge, while also building their resumes with tangible work experience. Whether students choose to pursue careers in agriculture or not, they’ll leave with a foundational understanding of food systems, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.  
Wingate High School, Bureau of Indian Education : Project 2

Project: The Honoring Our Roots, Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders: An Agriculture Education Initiative

Washington, D.C.

EDU Org

Wingate High School, a Bureau of Indian Education institution located in the heart of the Navajo Nation, serves a diverse student body, including individuals from various Native communities such as Navajo, Jicarilla, Mescalero, White Mountain Apache, and several Pueblos. Many of these students come from backgrounds rich in agricultural traditions, whether through communal farming or more commercial practices like chili and cattle production, reflecting the integral role of agriculture in their cultural identity as Diné people. The Honoring Our Roots, Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders: An Agriculture Education Initiative project aims to enhance agricultural education and community involvement among Native youth. Key objectives include hiring a full-time Agriculture Education Teacher to develop a student-centered curriculum aligned with New Mexico’s educational standards and integrate financial literacy and business plan development. The initiative will also support the teacher’s professional growth through conference attendance, establish a local FFA chapter to promote student leadership, and organize the 2nd Annual Agriculture Career Fair to connect youth with agricultural pathways. Furthermore, a community livestock sale will provide students with hands-on experience while fostering agricultural entrepreneurship. The initiative aspires to launch agriculture classes, recruit and retain students, host educational workshops, and generate revenue to support student projects, strengthening the foundation for future Native agriculturalists and their communities.

Tribes

Crow Creek Sioux Tribe - Hunkpati Processors

Project: Regenerative Range Infrastructure: Fencing Renewal for Crow Creek Livestock Sovereignty

Ft. Thompson, SD

Tribes

The people of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe are the Húŋkpati Oyáte (end of the camp circle) band, mostly descendants of the Mdewakanton Dakota Tribe of south and central present-day Minnesota. Through their new project titled Regenerative Range Infrastructure: Fencing Renewal for Crow Creek Livestock Sovereignty, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe seeks funding to replace outdated, deteriorating fencing on its range units to protect its cattle, buffalo, and crop fields. New fencing will promote land stewardship, herd safety, and regenerative grazing while supporting food sovereignty and economic sustainability. This grant initiative would provide critical infrastructure support that enables the Tribe to reclaim stewardship of its lands, improve rotational grazing systems, enhance herd management for both cattle and buffalo, and further its food and land sovereignty goals.

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Project: Bison Springs Project: Revitalizing Foodways through Land Based Learning

Pablo, MT

Tribes

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) reflects the union of three distinct tribal nations: The Bitterroot Salish, the Upper Pend d’Oreille (Ql̓ispé), and the Kootenai (Ksanka) people, currently located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana. With funding from NAAF, the Bison Springs Project: Revitalizing Foodways through Land Based Learning will develop a Tribal farm that is culturally grounded and will support Native producers through training, technical help, capital access, and traditional foods training. This will include repairing existing infrastructure, facilitating intergenerational knowledge transfer, and creating training opportunities for financial management and agriculture production.
Fort Berthold Land and Livestock

Project: The Fort Berthold Land and Livestock Infrastructure Relief for Range Land Improvement

Mandaree, ND

Tribes

The Fort Berthold Land and Livestock Infrastructure Relief for Range Land Improvement project, spearheaded by the Fort Berthold Land and Livestock Association (FBLLA), is vital in enhancing agricultural policy on the Reservation while addressing pressing concerns regarding livestock management. This project includes three key objectives: establishing a small grant program for fencing materials to improve livestock safety and pasture management; enhancing the integrity of fencing infrastructure to promote rotational grazing and reduce overgrazing risks; and fostering collaboration between neighbors to prevent livestock from straying and mitigate issues previously caused by old fencing. By working closely with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Tribe’s Supervisory Range Rider, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Tribal Business Council, the project reinforces accountability. It promotes sustainable practices within the community of tribal producers utilizing range units. Building on previous initiatives with the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), this project aims to improve pasture health, strengthen community ties, and ensure safer livestock management across the Reservation.

Pueblo of Cochiti

Project: The Pueblo of Cochiti Agricultural Advancement Project

Cochiti Pueblo, NM

Tribes

The Pueblo of Cochiti Agricultural Advancement Project seeks to reinstate traditional farming practices to enhance agricultural yield and expand the capacity of the Agricultural Department by developing 300 acres of currently unused reservation farmland. Managed by the Pueblo of Cochiti Natural Resources Department and the Agricultural Collective, this initiative addresses the community’s food sovereignty challenges due to poverty. The project’s key objectives include conducting a comprehensive community needs assessment through a GAP analysis, preparing agricultural acreage with soil testing, seed and fertilizer procurement, and establishing a seed bank. A farming education initiative will also train local youth and the Agricultural Committee in essential agricultural techniques and risk management strategies. A supply chain analysis will identify inefficiencies in transportation and distribution, ultimately leading to establishing a Tribal Agricultural Enterprise to foster economic sustainability and implement a circular economy that benefits the Pueblo of Cochiti community. By accomplishing these objectives, the project aspires to strengthen the Tribal economy while providing community members access to fresh, local food, thereby improving overall well-being and self-sufficiency.

Sitka Tribe of Alaska

Project: Creating a Tribal Community Garden for Traditional Food Security in Sheet’ká, Alaska

Sitka, AK

Tribes

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) is the federally recognized Tribal government in Sheet’ká (Sitka, Alaska), the traditional homelands of the Tlingít people. STA represents 4,997 enrolled Tribal citizens (as of June 2024) and is responsible for the health, welfare, safety, and culture of its citizens. As a leader in traditional food security and cultural stewardship, STA seeks to expand access to garden space, educational resources, and local food systems to promote food sovereignty and economic resilience for generations to come. Through their new project, Creating a Tribal Community Garden for Traditional Food Security in Sheet’ká, Alaska, STA seeks to grow its Traditional Foods Program and strengthen Tribal food security through the construction of a Tribal Community Garden. The garden will house 50 raised beds: 23 for the Tribe to grow produce for distribution, 2 for students in the Sitka Native Education Program, and 25 available to Tribal citizens.
Umpqua Indian Development Corporation

Project: Feasibility Studies and Business Plan for USDA Inspected Meat Processing Facility

Canyonville, OR

Tribes

The Umpqua Indian Development Corporation is pursuing food, water, and land sovereignty by spearheading economic development initiatives centered on food businesses to enhance the Tribe’s self-sufficiency and nutrition infrastructure. The project Feasibility Studies and Business Plan for USDA Inspected Meat Processing Facility focuses on establishing a USDA-certified meat processing facility that will serve as a cornerstone for Tribal producers. This project comprises three main goals: conducting a feasibility study to assess market opportunities and facility sizing, designing the facility’s physical layout to meet operational needs, and developing a financeable business plan that includes financial projections and risk analysis. Creating a safe and efficient space equipped with essential resources like commercial kitchens and cold storage will provide new producers with shared infrastructure that mitigates individual risk and supports capital access, ultimately fostering a sustainable local food economy.