Agriculture is at the core of the cultures of the Pima and Maricopa peoples of Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), where the Gila Crossing Community School serves youth from across the Gila River Indian Reservation. Their NAAF project, Hydroponics, introduces students to a hydroponic growing system. GRIC has an agriculture-based economy that is highly dependent on secure water delivery and manageable temperatures. The introduction of this a growing system allows students to engage in a year-round food production regardless of weather conditions, soil quality, or land availability. The project demonstrates that learning and production opportunities expand beyond the typical conditions and practices and provides youth with hands-on agriculture and STEM education through a growing system that increases access to fresh foods, strengthens health and academic outcomes, and builds foundational knowledge in agricultural economics and access to capital.
© Native American Agriculture Fund 2018 
About Company
The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) provides grants to eligible organizations for business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services to support Native farmers and ranchers.
The charitable trust was created by the settlement of the landmark Keepseagle v. Vilsack class-action lawsuit. NAAF is the largest philanthropic organization devoted solely to serving the Native American farming and ranching community.