Press Releases

$10 Million Invested to Expand Economic Opportunities for Native American Farmers and Ranchers September 16, 2024 The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces that $10 million in grants have been awarded to Tribes, non-profits, educational institutions, and...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces the appointment of Stacy Leeds as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Leeds brings a wealth of experience and passion for agricultural law, education and economic development. NAAF is the largest philanthropic...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) commends the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its recent announcement of crucial updates to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs, set to take effect on September 25, 2024.   Toni...

Partnership with Native American Agriculture Fund will increase career pathways for BIE students.    The Bureau of Indian Education and the Native American Agriculture Fund announced a new partnership that will allow more BIE students to benefit from comprehensive,...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces its sixth year of grantmaking and is opening a request for application (RFA) with a pool of $10 million starting on March 1, 2024, and closing on May 1, 2024.   NAAF is the largest private charitable trust devoted...

The Native American Agriculture Fund and the Bureau of Indian Education today announced a historic investment in a new agriculture business degree program in partnership with Haskell Indian Nations University. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland made the...

Earlier this week at the Tribal Nations Summit , U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, the Chair and Ranking member of Senate Indian Affairs, and the House and Senate Agricultural Committees named 11 new members to the inaugural USDA Tribal Advisory...

The National  FFA Organization established the first-ever partnership with the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) and the Tribal Agriculture Fellowship (TAF) dedicated to supporting Native American students pursuing agricultural careers. Agricultural education...

The Native American Agriculture Fund, in its fifth year of operations, is proud to offer funding to 38 grant projects nationwide -- all with the purpose of advancing agriculture in Indian Country by improving access to capital for Native farmers, ranchers, and...

Former Special Assistant to the President for Native Affairs Takes on New Role Supporting Native American Agricultural Producers  The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to increasing access to capital for Native...

"Tribal communities across the United States, often located in remote rural areas, face the risk of bearing the brunt of a federal government shutdown. They heavily rely on crucial federal services, such as agricultural extension, feeding programs, technical...

"For far too long, the original stewards of the land have been navigating a landscape of systemic bias, and those persistent barriers have created insurmountable challenges for Native producers. Today's announcement of financial assistance for those who have faced...

On today's announcement of the request for nominations of the Tribal Advisory Committee, the Native American Agriculture Fund's CEO, Toni Stanger-McLaughlin says: "Marking a significant milestone following the Keepseagle v. Vilsack settlement, the creation of the...

Janie Simms Hipp to Lead First-Ever Lending Entity within the Farm Credit System Dedicated to Native American Producers The Native American Agriculture Fund invests $12 million to stand up the first-ever Other Financing Institution (OFI) within the Farm Credit System...

USDA Funds 36 Projects Aimed at Connecting Families to WIC Through Partnership with FRAC as Part of Investing in America Agenda The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through a cooperative agreement with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Food...

Investing in the Arts and Humanities of Indigenous Foodways The Mellon Foundation and the Native American Agriculture Fund today announced collaborative investments in the Cultural Foodways Fund, a grant opportunity that centers Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces its fifth year of grantmaking and is opening a pool of $11 million starting on April 1, 2023, and closing on June 1, 2023.   NAAF is the largest private charitable trust devoted to serving the interests of Native...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) invites farmers, ranchers, producers, Tribal leaders, and community members to the inaugural State of Native Agriculture Address. Broadcast on March 9 at 12:00 p.m. CT, this is the first virtual event of its kind...

"Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that distressed borrowers with qualifying USDA farm loans recently received nearly $800 million in assistance. This funding was mainly derived from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), with some additional...

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they are seeking public comment on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Section 22007 addressing discrimination in USDA farm lending programs. Section 22007 of the IRA appropriates $2.2 billion for financial...

As the largest philanthropic organization devoted solely to serving the Native American farming and ranching community, the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) commits more than $100 million over the next 12 years to advance Native American agriculture and...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces $12 million in grants to eligible entities serving Native American farmers and ranchers. NAAF is in its fourth year of grantmaking, reaching $55 million since the first funding cycle in 2019 impacting more than 300...

On Thursday, September 22, the U.S Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry held a hearing to consider the nomination of Vincent Logan as a Board Member of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA). Vincent Logan is a member of the Osage Nation and if...

The Native American Agriculture Fund expresses support for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes provisions that could serve Native American producers. If signed into law, the IRA would include: $3.1 billion to distressed borrowers who hold direct or...

The Native Farm Bill Coalition (NFBC) and the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) today released a report to the White House Conference on Health, Hunger, and Nutrition from two virtual Tribal listening sessions hosted in June 2022. The report provides substantive...

The Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) is partnering with the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) to create a curriculum and training to empower Tribes and individual members with the education and resources to start cooperatives or improve existing...

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...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) joins the U.S. Nature4Climate coalition of conservation, environmental, and sustainable business organizations collaborating on Natural Climate Solutions. NAAF is among the first Indigenous-led entities to join the...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) in partnership with the Native Farm Bill Coalition (NFBC) will host two virtual convenings to gather input for a report that will inform the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on food and nutrition...

The Native American Agriculture Fund is honored to share the nomination of Vincent Logan to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) Board. Vincent Logan is a member of the Osage Nation and if confirmed, will be the first Native American to serve on the board of FCA. The...

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,...

Chairman of Farm Credit Administration Announces Commitment to Working with Native American Farmers and Ranchers at National Forum on Serving Young, Beginning, and Small Farmers and Ranchers In his remarks delivered at Colorado State University on March 23, Chairman...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) CEO, Toni Stanger-McLaughlin, J.D. (Colville) is appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Equity Commission to address historical discrimination against minority farmers within USDA.  Stanger-McLaughlin...

Opportunity for Native Students Seeking an Agricultural or Technical Degree In recognition of the need for more agriculture education opportunities specifically geared toward Native students, the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) and the Foundation for Food...

Native American Agriculture Fund announces Native Agriculture Education Fellowship Program The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces the development of the Tribal Agriculture Fellowship (TAF). TAF will award fellowships to Native American, Alaska Native...

Pigford and Keepseagle Cy-Pres Funds come full circle to expand opportunities for agriculture lending to minority farmers through minority coalition work The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) and Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF)...

On Friday, November 5, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package containing tribal-specific funding dedicated to improving transportation, broadband, water...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces $14 million in grants awarded to 54 organizations serving Native producers. This investment directly benefits 141 sovereign Tribal Nations in 26 different states, impacting nearly 125,000 Native farmers, ranchers,...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) is following developments in the courts challenging the debt relief Congress recently provided to members of socially disadvantaged groups engaged in agriculture. We were encouraged to see Congress act as it did to provide...

Toni Stanger-McLaughlin J.D. (Colville), has taken the helm at the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), the Nation’s largest philanthropic organization dedicated to serving Native American farmers, ranchers and food change makers. NAAF was established in 2018 as a...

Twenty Grants Awarded For Projects Serving Native Youth Across 115 Tribal Nations  The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) has awarded $1 million dollars to 20 grantees serving Native youth across 115 Tribal Nations. The diverse range of grants for youth...

The Native American Agriculture Fund has distributed $2 million dollars in rapid response funding to 74 grantees across Indian Country to aid tribal producers and their communities during the COVID-19 crisis.   These grants will provide critical relief through...

The Native American Agriculture Fund has awarded $15 million to 101 grantees for 112 distinct projects to build a stronger food system in Indian Country. This wide array of grants provides direct capital to Native farmers and ranchers through Community Development...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) released a report entitled Reimagining Native Food Systems: A Vision for Native Food and Agriculture Infrastructure Rebuilding and Recovery that calls for a minimum of $3.4 billion investment to support Native food and...

The US House of Representatives and US Senate have now passed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue package. The bill is on its way to President Biden for his signature. The Native American Agriculture Fund applauds this important step with so many...

The Native American Agriculture Fund applauds the confirmation of Deb Haaland of Laguna Pueblo on her confirmation to be Secretary of the Interior. Secretary Haaland was confirmed to serve as the United States’ next Secretary of the Interior by a vote of 51-40 in the...

WASHINGTON- On Monday, March 15th, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Janie Hipp as General Counsel of the United States Department of Agriculture:   “Janie Simms Hipp, J.D., LL.M grew up in a small southeast Oklahoma community, beginning her legal...

The Native American Agriculture Fund applauds the White House nomination of Bryan Newland as Assistant Secretary- Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior. Newland’s nomination will now go to the Senate for confirmation. If confirmed, Newland will join...

There is a critical need for veterinarians’ involvement in challenges ranging from environmental sustainability to population growth, yet few fellowship opportunities exist that encourage veterinary students to study these issues. To help students gain this...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces its third annual Request for Applications. NAAF, the largest private charitable trust devoted to serving the interests of Native farmers and ranchers, continues to invest in Indian Country agriculture with this...

The Native American Agriculture Fund is conducting a research study to gain a better perspective on the issues of food insecurity and hunger in Tribal households as a result of COVID-19. This survey will be available until April 30th. During that time, we are hoping...

The National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO) has partnered with the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) to encourage teachers of Native American students to attend the 2021 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference “Fields of Dreams”...

A decade ago, the Keepseagle v. Vilsack case was originally settled. The case was brought by Native farmers and ranchers throughout the US to address a decades long history of discrimination in lending and in the servicing of loans by USDA.  The settlement of the case...

The Native American Agriculture Fund lends our full support for the confirmation of Congresswoman Deb Haaland of Laguna Pueblo on her confirmation to be Secretary of the Interior. If confirmed, Haaland will be the first ever Native American woman to serve as a cabinet...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) would like to invite you to a listening session on February 18th, 2021 at 2pm Central Time. This inagural session begins a series of sessions which will be held the 3rd Thursday of every month throughout the year. This...

The US Department of Agriculture announced it was temporarily suspending debt collections and foreclosures for distressed borrowers under programs administered by the Farm Service Agency due to the national public health emergency caused by COVID-19.   “This is an...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) is pleased to announce that it has recently partnered with the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO) and its Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) program members to strengthen pre-kindergarten (Pre-K)...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) congratulates the Akana Group, Inc. (Akana) and John Deere as they work together to provide government sales business opportunities for small businesses and Native American business enterprises.   Akana is a certified Native...

The Native American Agriculture Fund congratulates Heather Dawn Thompson on her appointment to serve as the Director of USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations (OTR). USDA’s OTR is a critical office within USDA that serves a wide range of functions, most importantly, to...

On behalf of the Native American Agriculture Fund, I am absolutely thrilled to offer my complete support of Dr. Jewel Bronaugh to serve as Deputy Secretary of USDA. Her nomination to serve as Deputy is truly historic - she will be the first African American woman to...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Congresswoman Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) in her historic nomination to serve in the Biden-Harris administration as our next Secretary at the Department of the Interior...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Secretary Tom Vilsack in his nomination to serve in the Biden-Harris administration as our next Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture. NAAF is a private...

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) announces its historic investment in Native agriculture advocacy, awarding both the Native Farm Bill Coalition (NFBC) and the Native American Food and Nutrition Resources Alliance (the Alliance) grant funding to continue...

Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), the largest philanthropic organization devoted solely to serving the Native American farming and ranching community, has selected Neuberger Berman to serve as Investment Manager. The NAAF Investment Program conducted a...

Press release | July 1, 2019 On Thursday, June 27th, 2019, in Bismarck, ND, the primary plaintiffs of the Keepseagle lawsuit were bestowed eagle feathers in honor and respect due to their modern day warrior activity in fighting for equal opportunity and rights in the...