Putting Tribal Sovereignty in Food SovereigntyPolicy & Research
Policy Briefings
Policy Brief- September 16, 2025
USDA is holding two Tribal leader consultation sessions on Oct. 14 and Oct. 16 over its Reorganization Plan. Check out IFAI’s analysis of potential Indian Country impacts here. IFAI will hold a closed Tribal briefing on October 9, 2025 for elected Tribal leaders and...
Policy Brief- September 9, 2025
The USDA Tribal Advisory Committee’s Sept. 18 Federal Register notice is out. Proceedings start at noon EST, with public comments open from 3-4 p.m. The TAC is also taking nominations for new members through Sept. 22, 2025. Senator Lisa Murkowski’s office is calling...
Policy Brief- September 2, 2025
Congress is back this week, with government funding likely the focus for legislators in the coming weeks. IFAI has released its analysis of the One Big Beautiful Bill and its impacts on Tribal nations, producers, and citizens. Read IFAI’s summary here. The nomination...
Policy Brief- August 25, 2025
Know anyone who might be a good fit for USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee? There are four vacant seats. Submit your nomination by Sept. 22, 2025. Check out IFAI's analysis of USDA’s Final Rule on Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. If you want to learn...
Policy Brief- August 19, 2025
Congress remains in recess through Labor Day. IFAI recently published an analysis of the USDA Final Rule on Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. Our Rooted Wisdom podcast team interviewed Akiptan’s, Skya Ducheneaux to discuss how Native CDFIs are reshaping...
Policy Brief- August 12, 2025
The public comment period on USDA’s Reorganization Plan is still open. All stakeholders, including Tribal governments, are encouraged to submit their feedback to reorganization@usda.gov by September 30, 2025. The Department’s reorganization plans were published via...
Educational Resources
Comments requested by Sept. 15 on Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act
Senate Indian Affairs Co-Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is requesting comments from the public by September 12, 2025, on a discussion draft for “The Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2025.” As noted in Senator Murkowski’s section-by-section breakdown,...
One Big Beautiful Bill Act – Indian Country Food and Agriculture Implications
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have impacts on federal food and nutrition policies for Tribal Nations, producers, and citizens. This law consolidates a wide range of provisions that reshape how food access, agricultural support and nutrition education are funded...
Tribal Governments Eligible for Two Local Agriculture Market Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is taking applications until June 27 for their Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and their Local Food Promotion Program(LFPP). They are funded through the Local Agriculture Market...
Secretary’s Memorandum Clarifies USDA Commitment to Tribal Trust Responsibility
On May 5, 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued Secretary's Memorandum 1078-010, which clarifies how certain executive orders apply to federally recognized Indian Tribes, their citizens, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian Communities. “The...
ANNUAL MARKET VALUE of ai/An Ag products*
Number of AI/AN Farms in 2022
Number of AI/AN PRODUCERS in 2022
The materials are based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number FSA22CPT0012189.
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Model Tribal Food and Ag Code
The Model Tribal Food and Agriculture Code Project serves as a resource for Tribal governments, providing a comprehensive set of model laws for review, adoption, and implementation. The model laws contained in the code were designed by IFAI and contributing attorneys to facilitate agricultural production, food systems development, and health outcomes improvement in Indian Country.