Putting Tribal Sovereignty
in Food Sovereignty
Join Indian Country food and agriculture leaders and policy experts as they explore the growing national momentum behind Tribal Departments of Agriculture and what it means for food sovereignty, governance, and future generations. 🎙 Moderated by: Mark Trahant...
Summary: This week, we will be monitoring a hearing from the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs examining the Small Business Administration Native 8(a) Programs. Nominations for the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council will close on Feb. 17. USDA’s...
Summary: There are two Congressional hearings on Tuesday from the House Appropriations Committee and the House Committee on Natural Resources. Notes relevant to Tribal food and agriculture will be posted next week. Two Federal Register notices of interest this week...
Summary: USDA’s Forest Service is holding a virtual engagement session with Tribes on Feb. 11, 2026, to discuss the implementation of the EXPLORE Act, which includes an expansion of the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). Register online HERE. The Forest Service is...
After years of collaborative work to expand opportunities for Tribal agricultural development, the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), in partnership with the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI), successfully worked with the members of the National...
Summary: Do you know anyone aged 18-24 years old who is thinking about a possible career in Tribal food and agriculture? Applications for IFAI’s 2026 Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit are now open! The final deadline for all applications is...
We are excited to announce that the Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit applications are now open! What does this mean for you? This Summit is a chance to connect with other Natives from across the country, create memories, learn more about...
Summary: Last week, USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) held its final meeting of 2025 during the Intertribal Agriculture Council’s (IAC) Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV. The various TAC subcommittees (e.g. Ranching, Farm Production, and Conservation...
How can Indigenous academics support Indigenous students? In this final episode of Rooted Wisdom, we interview Greg Jones (Shawnee Nation), Director of Native American Student Services; and Marty Matlock (Cherokee Nation), Professor of Ecological Engineering, about...
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) entered 2025 in a moment of significant change across Indian Country. Shifts in federal leadership and policy brought new challenges and opportunities for Tribal Nations and Tribal producers, all while they...