New Mexico State University’s American Indian Business Enterprise (AIBE) Center provides entrepreneurs and producers with technical assistance, education, mentorship, funding, and value-added agriculture support. Their project, Tribal Resilience in Agriculture, helps farmers and ranchers in New Mexico build the financial knowledge, business skills, and confidence needed to successfully pursue capital. Native agricultural businesses often face barriers such as complex funding applications, qualification uncertainties, limited financial management capacity, and high financing costs. The project addresses these challenges through a three-day financial management workshop series covering budgeting, bookkeeping, taxes, reporting, financial planning, profit-and-loss statements, balance sheets, accounts receivable and payable, project management, and QuickBooks. Participants also receive individualized coaching through Change Labs’ Native-led Incubator, including guidance on alternative lending programs, Native-specific funding opportunities, and how to evaluate loans, grants, investments, and other sources of capital. Arrowhead Center’s graphic design and communications teams aid in developing branded logos and product labels for producers including professionally photographed product images and marketing materials to support farmer branding and promotion. Arrowhead Business Advisors Network provides additional one-on-one support, connecting producers with entrepreneurs, accountants, attorneys, and other professionals. The project also provides technical assistance related to food handling, value-added production, regulatory certifications, and market access, while developing culturally grounded curriculum that can continue serving farmers and ranchers beyond the project period. Its partnership with Change Labs brings a Native-led, culturally responsive approach to financial coaching and entrepreneurship. By helping producers understand their financial position, improve business practices, identify appropriate funding opportunities, and prepare stronger applications, the project builds a pipeline of financing-ready agricultural businesses.
© 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.