Stone Child College’s Agribusiness Capital and Credit Enhancement Support Services (ACCESS) Project seeks to create a Tribal Agribusiness Support Services Office. This office will offer personalized guidance, host quarterly workshops, and improve access to capital and agricultural risk management resources for Native producers. Stone Child College (SCC), founded in 1984, is located on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation in Montana, home to the Chippewa Cree Tribe. SCC has been a vital resource for the Rocky Boy and surrounding communities, offering post-secondary education, workforce training, agricultural education and services, public events, and a welcoming space for the community to gather.
This project aims to empower Native farmers and ranchers by addressing critical capital access gaps and enhancing agricultural risk management. Through the Tribal Agribusiness Support Services Office Stone Child College will provide personalized financial guidance through a dedicated Financial Services Coordinator. Its core objectives include increasing financial literacy, improving access to credit, and providing practical tools for business planning and risk management, all through one-on-one counseling and quarterly workshops. This initiative addresses the unique challenges Native producers face, such as limited access to financial institutions and resources, by offering hands-on support and training tailored to their needs. By focusing on financial literacy, credit repair, and risk management, the project aims to bridge the gap between Native producers and capital sources. This aligns with NAAF’s mission by equipping Native farmers and ranchers with the knowledge and resources necessary to secure funding, ultimately fostering long-term growth and sustainability in their agribusiness ventures.
