First Nations Receives USDA-NRCS Grant to Build Business Capacity and Provide Conservation Planning Among Native American Producers

Longmont, Colorado, March 14, 2018 -- First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) today announced it has received a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help build the capacity of Native American producers relative to business development, food sovereignty and conservation planning. 

Under the grant, First Nations will undertake various activities with groups of Native farmers, ranchers, tribal departments, nonprofits, food entrepreneurs and local food advocates. The work will include trainings incorporating First Nations’ The Business of Indian Agriculture curriculum and its  Conservation Planning Guide for Native American Ranchers that was funded by a previous NRCS grant and The Christensen Fund. Through this part of the project, First Nations will conduct The Business of Indian Agriculture trainings to strengthen agribusinesses initiatives for Native American producers, and provide conservation planning in Native communities – through trainings as well as site visits – that will result in the development of community conservation plans as well as individualized producer plans.

Additionally, the project will provide specialized technical assistance to Native producers in developing strategies that will professionalize their operations, increase production, and increase their access to markets. First Nations will identify and select producers who are now engaged in expanding their agribusinesses and/or actively pursuing agricultural initiatives in their communities.

Native producers interested in the trainings are encouraged to visit the First Nations website regularly at www.firstnations.org and its various social media channels for announcements about the trainings, and to subscribe to First Nation’ emails at this link in order to receive notifications directly.

About First Nations Development Institute

For more than 37 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities. First Nations serves Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org.

PROGRAM CONTACT: Tawny Wilson, First Nations Lead Program Officer, [email protected] or (303) 774-7836 x218

MEDIA CONTACT: Randy Blauvelt, First Nations Senior Communications Officer, [email protected] or (303) 774-7836 x213