The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces its fourth annual Request for Applications (RFA). NAAF is the largest private charitable trust devoted to serving the interests of Native farmers and ranchers through grant making in areas of business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services. 

The General grant cycle opens today, April 1, 2022 and closes June 1, 2022. Youth applications close on May 18, 2022. 

 With $12 million in available funding, NAAF seeks grant applications from 501(c)(3) Organizations, Educational Organizations, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and State and Federally Recognized Tribes. All details about the RFA can be found on the NAAF website. NAAF will also host 5 webinars during the application period. 

 “Having fair and adequate access to capital is crucial for the success of agriculture operations. At NAAF, we are investing in the future of Native agricultural economies, a potential $45.4 billion industry,” says Toni Stanger-McLaughlin (Colville), CEO of NAAF. “Our communities are building regional networks of infrastructure, leading in areas of regenerative agriculture, and answering the call to feed our people and secure food access amidst an ongoing global pandemic. We continue to strive to adapt our funding cycles to meet the needs and changing landscape of Indian Country agriculture.” 

 “As we move into our fourth year of grant making to eligible entities, NAAF has invested $74 million in projects that serve Native producers and bolster Native food systems,” said Dr. Joe Hiller (Oglala Lakota), Chairman of the NAAF Board of Trustees. “From our young and beginning farmers and ranchers to tribal agriculture enterprises, and everything in between, the impact of our grantees continues to transform food economies and agricultural production to develop thriving communities throughout Indian Country.” 

About the Native American Agriculture Fund:

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.

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