The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) awarded more than $900,000 dollars to 23 grantees serving Native youth across 81 Tribal Nations. The diverse range of grants for youth programming will serve more than 8,000 Native youth in reservation, rural, suburban, and urban areas throughout Indian Country. The funded projects vary in focus areas such as agricultural education, training, and career pathways. All grants awarded go to support increased access to capital for the success of beginning Native farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food champions by providing business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services.

NAAF opened their Request for Applications for Native youth funding from April 1, 2022, through May 18, 2022. NAAF awards grants to four eligible grant recipients, including: 501(c)(3) organizations, educational organizations, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and Tribal governments and their instrumentalities.

“Many of our Tribal creation stories, although all unique, have a connection to the cultivation of traditional food practices and protection of ecosystems. That knowledge is passed through new generations of agricultural leaders and food stewards. That is why at NAAF we are committed to investing in programming that serves Native youth and expands opportunities to grow their expertise and increase access to capital. Our communities will thrive because of the knowledge and passion that Native youth contribute to the work of feeding our people,” says Toni Stanger-McLaughlin (Colville), CEO of the Native American Agriculture Fund.

With today’s investment:

• • • More than 11% of the $912,086.14 awarded will go directly to Native youth as loans, re-grants, or scholarships
    • Projects will impact Native youth across 15 states and 81 Tribal Nations

To learn more, view NAAF’s list of grantees and factsheet.

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.