the
TA Network
Intertribal Agriculture Council - Technical Assistance Network
Youth and The Food Sovereignty Continuum
The future is always in the hands of the youth, which is why it is important to engage youth into the plans
of our leaders. The first ever Native American Youth Agriculture Summit was held in July 2014 with the
assistance of Intertribal Agriculture Council. The youth that attended brought innovative ideas and thoughts
to the Summit. All walked away with new perspectives of Agriculture and the history of Native People.
The Ag Summit offered many presentations, learning opportunities, business planning group projects, and
cultural insights. The youth were given a group project to build a plan for their specific business. This project
became a surprise to the Advisors because the youth took it to a whole new level. When youth are given
the chance to show their skill and knowledge, they bring out perspectives that were not imagined. The Ag
Summit thanks to the Intertribal Agriculture Council was a success that has broadens the horizon for youth in
Indian Country.
Youth today aren’t always educated on the importance of Agriculture or their Heritage; this is why it is crucial
as Agriculture Leaders in Indian Country we engage our youth. Our time now is critical for youth to understand
the importance of Agriculture and the roots of Indian Country. Our heritage is directly tied to Agriculture and
it is time for our youth to take the next step and take part in the roles of our leaders.
-Odessa R. Oldham
Native American Agriculture Summit Student Advisor
“The work we do in agriculture is so important, I have learned so much and I’m going to make the best of
it.”
– Lena Sanchez (2014 Youth Summit Agriculture Ambassador & 2014 IAC Essay Contest Winner)
“I have learned about anything from Ag law and policy, food safety, production agriculture, and history
of the Native American tribes starting this wonderful project to get Native youth voice[s] to speak up for
agriculture!”
–Zachary Ilbery (2014 Youth Summit Agriculture Ambassador)
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
Keeping Indian agriculture lands productive by helping people help the land.
Through a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Tribal Relations and the Intertribal Agriculture Council, the Technical Assistance Centers were established in order to increase access and use of USDA programs and
services by Indian producers and Tribes.
By working to streamline existing programs and assisting producers with the application process, our goal is to build a more
functional relationship between the USDA and Indian Country and play a role in the evolution of those programs over time.
Whether it is working one-to-one with Indian producers to match your goals and objectives to the right government agency
for assistance, or working with Tribal Leaders and Tribal organizations to form Tribal-Federal partnerships on reservation or
area-wide programs, our staff is ready to help.
The successes documented in this publication recognize the American Indian spirit and highlights values such
as perserverance, patience, persistence, and trust and the willingness to meet adversities and succeed through
these values.1
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
1
Dave Monture is the TA Specialist in the Alaska Region
with responsibilities for Southwest and Northwest Alaska. He is a
Bear Clan Mohawk. He has a keen interest in circumpolar affairs
and sustainable development.
Dorothy Shockley
is the Alaska Tribal Technical Assistant Specialist covering the regions of Interior; South Central
and South East Alaska. She is Upper Koyukon Athabascan and
belongs to the Caribou Clan. She is currently President of her
Village Corporation and owner of a small business doing consulting work for native organization including the Alaska Federation
of Natives.
Barbara Blake
is a Part-Time Technical Assistant Specialist covering the regions of Interior and Southeast Alaska. She is
of Haida, Tlingit and Ahtna Athabascan descent and belongs to
the Yahkw ’Láanaas (Raven/Shark House)
clan. She also serves as
the Government Affairs Liaison with the Central Council Tlingit
and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
2
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
TTCD Community Garden Success
Tyonek Tribal Conservation District in this year alone has gone
from a serious forest fire threat to the community to record food
production in its community gardens and an invitation to First Lady
Michelle Obama to visit its food security operations.
The off the road system community of 190 people produces fresh
organic vegetables in its 1.5 acre operation with two NRCS high
tunnels with solar powered irrigation and ventilation systems.
Tyonek ensures students in the local school must be involved in every stage of the gardening operation from starting the seeds to
transplanting them in the garden; weeding; harvesting and produce
distribution.
The Tyonek Tribal Conservation covers 6.5 million acres! Besides
its farm to school and elders food security efforts, the community
is very mindful of its stewardship of subsistence resources. Conservation efforts include improvements to moose brouse and fish
passage programs. The Intertribal Agriculture Council’s Technical
Assistance program continues to assist the conservation district as
it grows.
Since 2012, TTCD has worked closely with the Native Village of Tyonek, the Tyonek community, and other partners to assist with Tyonek’s goal of developing a community garden. The goals of this
project are to improve food security for Tyonek, supply food to the
elder’s program, and produce food in a sustainable way.
In 2013, the Tyonek Garden growing capacity was increased through
the installation of high tunnels, solar panels, and an irrigation system.
This spring students at the Tebughna school have begun planting
vegetable starts for the garden. ek village and its Tribal Conservation District in this year alone has gone from a
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
3
Steven Bond has a strong technical background and
diverse experiences working with agriculture and rural
development. In 2003 he finished a Bachelors of Science
in Biology and Environmental Chemistry at Southwestern
Oklahoma State University.
His graduate work was completed in 2011 at Oklahoma State
University where he received a Masters of Science in the
Watershed Resources Management Program and worked
as a Research Assistant in the Biosystems Agricultural
Engineering Department, working closely with the OSU
Agriculture Extension Program. Throughout his collegiate
years he received multiple honors and fellowships including
the Alfred P. Sloan Fellow award, NABS Graduate Fellowship,
and multiple undergraduate and graduate fellowship from
the Louis Strokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
In 2005 he began work as the Ethnobotanist for the Chickasaw
Nation and quickly developed the Ecological Resources
Program that served as an “Extension” approach to share
technical information about traditional agriculture and
environmental sustainability. Steven currently works for the
Intertribal Agriculture Council as the Technical Assistance
Specialist in the Eastern Oklahoma Region.
He is from Stratford, Oklahoma where he also owns and
manages a small Pecan orchard and organic farm. His office
is in Ada, Oklahoma.
4
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
Chickasaw Farmer’s Market
Oklahoma is the cross roads of the Nation, the I-35 and I-40
interstates connect many Americans to their food, family, and
mail. The Eastern Oklahoma Region is also in the ecological cross
roads; Great Plains to the north and west, Southeastern Coastal
Plains to the south, and the Eastern Deciduous Forest to the
east. Although the Bureau of Indian Affairs Eastern Oklahoma
Region principally consist of the Five Tribes, in terms of land
mass, it is also a cross roads for many tribes. Historically, large
cattle operations, fruit production, and wheat farms dominated
the area. In modern times following the Dawes Commission and
Statehood, Oklahoma is comprised of thousands of family farms,
ranches, and farmland. Also, much of these lands have returned
to nature or less pleasantly set idle neither yielding production
nor contributing to national conservation efforts.
Technical Assistance Clients range from large self sufficient farms
and ranches held by tribes and individuals to beginning farmers
and ranchers. There is little to no trust land nor assistance from
Tribal Governments for their citizens. In this environment USDA
plays a critical role for the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers and
Socially Disadvantaged Applicants that make-up the recovering
agricultural economy of the Eastern Oklahoma Region. Intertribal
Agriculture Council works with these producers to make sure they
have access to all that USDA has to offer.
Some ongoing projects include developing the Farmers Markets
throughout the region, assisting individual families with cattle
loans, and providing the ongoing support to vegetable farmers
taking them from road-side capacity to a more regional exchange
of goods. Highlights include the development of a cooperative
of farmers to supply the Farm to School programs in rural Eastern
Oklahoma, an educational project that received grant funding to
purchase equipment more suitable form Beginning Farmers and
Ranchers for use as an example of what is available and in a more
limited capacity used to install niche type production models for
the farmers markets and traditional foods projects.
Although food and agricultural products from the East and West
Coast pass through Oklahoma Eastern Oklahoma Region much
of the best Value-added products do not make it on the shelves
in rural Eastern Oklahoma. The Intertribal Agriculture Council is
working with producers, tribes, USDA, and other shareholders
to increase the amount of value-added foods produced to take
advantage of the emerging markets Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the
surrounding populations while also ensuring raw agricultural
products produced in this region gets converted into value-added
food that benefits the dietary needs of tribal members as well as
increases their return on investments for their farms and ranches.
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
5
Adam Schuchhardt is the Technical Assistance
Specialist for the Great Plains Region. He is a member
of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe where he grew up
ranching. Most recently, he worked for the FSA as a
Loan Officer covering the largest territory in SD.
6
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
Continuing her Dad’s Legacy
Kaitlyn Dupris is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe located in central South
Dakota. As a young girl growing up in Cherry
Creek, SD, she actively participated in the dayto-day responsibilities of her father, Maynard
Dupris’, cattle operation, with the knowledge
that one-day she would partner with her dad in
the family cattle business. Upon his unexpected
passing in 2011 she took it upon herself, at the
young age of 22 years, to manage the operation
until it was sold to settle the estate.
Initially it was a struggle to fit what she envisioned for her cattle
operation with the parameters that FSA thought would better
suit her. Kaitlyn reached out to the local Intertribal Agriculture
Council Technical Assistance Program for support in developing and packaging a FSA loan application. With the encouragement and support of her mother and brothers, she worked with
IAC staff to submit an application with her proposed operation
to the local FSA Office. The process was a lengthy one and yet
Kaitlyn never faltered in her pursuit. In January 2014 her application was approved and by March 2014, she was able to purchase
cows and the equipment she needed to begin her operation.
The ranching life was the only life Kaitlyn ever knew and the only
one she was interested in having as an adult. After her father’s
passing and his estate settled, she set about starting her own
cattle operation to continue the legacy that her dad and family
were devoted to. She followed the path that her dad set out for
her. The first step began with contacting the local Farm Service
Agency (FSA).
Ten months later, Kaitlyn has a viable operation. The successful
sale of her calves in Fall 2014 will allow her to not only grow the
size of her herd, but to create a sustainable operation throughout the duration of the loan period and beyond. Kaitlyn is not
one who likes a lot of attention or acknowledgement, but she
is often the first to give thanks to those who helped her when
she needed it. In her own words, she said, “I am grateful to
the IAC staff for their persistent encouragement and continued
support. I am also thankful for the staff of the local FSA office
for their belief in me and continued support.”
Those that knew her dad Maynard, know that he would be incredibly proud of “Katie” and he never would have doubted for
a minute that she couldn’t have began her own cattle operation. She is an inspiration to many and most importantly, she is
following in his footsteps of her father and doing what she was
born to do, raise cattle on her family’s ranch.
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
7
Daniel Cornelius is the TA Specialist for the Region
that includes Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Iowa.
His position focuses on helping Indian Tribes and Tribal
food producers gain better access to USDA programs,
as well as on general food and agricultural issues. Much
of his current work centers on strengthening connections
and partnerships among the region’s food producers
and communities, a task highlighted by IAC’s new Mobile
Farmers Market.
Support Staff
Bruce Savage is the Market Coordinator for the Mobile Farmers Market, he joined the IAC staff after participating in the American Indian Foods program. A Fond du
Lac Band member in Minnesota, Bruce finishes wild rice
and is a maple syrup producer.
Lea Zeise is the Midwest Region’s Marketing and
Logistics Spcialist. Her responsibilities include grant writing, helping to coordinate the schedule and customer
accounts for the Mobile Farmers Market, organizing workshops, and providing technical assistance. Lea is from the
Oneida reservation in Wisconsin.
8
Mobile Farmers Market Update
The Mobile Farmers Market’s second season built upon the first
year’s success by continuing to host market events in Tribal communities. While funding constraints limited the number of events
compared to 2013, the effort’s expanded line of products has
provided greater access to traditional foods and more inspiration to aspiring and existing producers in developing marketable
products. The market exhibit has also participated in a tradeshows and large conferences that have expanded overall awareness of Native-produced products. Additionally, the effort has
helped draw more producers to IAC’s “Made by American Indians” trademark, a free program that provides certification to
help distinguish authentic Native foods and arts.
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
Maple Syrup Cooperative
Traditional foods have been making a major
resurgence in our Native communities, offering
opportunity to engage youth, strengthen
pride in our cultures, and develop sustainable
local economies. Maple syrup and sugar are
one of the major traditional foods in the Great
Lakes Region that used to dominate life during
the springtime when entire villages would
disappear into the woods for weeks at a time
when the sap flowed. To illustrate the extent
of historic production, the Menominee Nation
produced 75,000 pounds of maple sugar in
1866, which would have required boiling down
over 3 million gallons of sap.
In an effort to begin building toward expanded
production, a small group of syrup producers
began meeting as a steering committee for a
cooperative in early 2014. With support from
Cooperative Development Services, ACCEED
Consulting, and the Intertribal Agriculture
Council, this steering committee developed
and refined a vision for the Intertribal Maple
Syrup Producers Co-op that was officially
incorporated in August 2014.
Support staff, in close consultation with
steering committee members, wrote a
successful USDA Value Added Producer Grant
(VAPG) that is providing additional financial
assistance in conducting a feasibility study
for expanded maple syrup production and
marketing that should lay the foundation for
a corresponding business plan to guide the
Co-op through its initial expansion. Generous
support from the Shakopee Mdwekanton Sioux
Community has provided matching funds for
Tribal VAPGs over the past two years – an
important element of successful applications
given grant’s the 1:1 match requirement.
Next steps for the co-op are continuing to
move forward with the feasibility study while
continuing to refine the organization’s strategic
plan and expand educational support and
product purchasing.
Teaching Seed Saving
Seed saving is a hallmark of sovereign
agriculture. It perpetuates the vitality of our
food systems. Seed saving also strengthens
the link to generations past, and ensures the
vitality of future generations. It has also been
a hot topic in the Great Lakes region. A call
for workshop topics was sent out early this
year, and the response was nearly unanimous:
SEEDS! Answering that call, IAC has helped
make 2014 a year rich in seed saving knowledge
and networking in the Great Lakes Region.
In March, IAC co-sponsored a Seed
School at Shakopee, MN in partnership with
Native Seeds/SEARCH and Mdewakanton
Wozupi. This weeklong event trained nearly
thirty Native producers from as near as
Mdewakanton Sioux community and as far as
Hawaii. The workshop started with basic seed
and germination biology and finished with the
traditions, stories, and songs attached to our
sacred seeds. By the end of the week, a new
network of seed savers came to life, ready to
spread the word.
IAC started one month later at another
co-sponsored event, the Food Sovereignty
Summit in Oneida, WI. The Mobile Farmers
Market booth closed up to get ready for a
lively Seed Swap that lasted hours with Oneida
white corn seeds mingling with beans from
Peru and chilies from Mexico. It was clear that
more workshops and seed work lay ahead.
Over the coming months, nearly a dozen
workshops sprung from the Seed School
graduates, three put on by regional TA staff.
With just one day at each location, the subject
matter was pared down to the basics: The
Three Sisters. At Lac Courte Oreille Ojibwa
Community College and both College of
Menominee Nation campus locations, 25
more Native producers and educators came
together to learn about the biology and
cultural significance of saving seeds.
The seed stories, songs, and traditions that
were brought forth through these events
have influenced the future Native Producer
Summit hosted by IAC this spring, where TA
staff are planning to host an Honor the Seeds
Social Dance in coordination with Oneida
Cultural Heritage.
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
9
Hard Work and Patience Pays Off
Katherine Minthorn Goodluck is the TA
Specialist working with the Tribes of Oregon and Idaho.
She is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla. In 2008, Katherine was appointed to the Secretary of
Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers
and Ranchers.
Michael Shellenberger is the Technical Assis-
tance Specialist working with the Tribes of Washington
State and Northern Idaho. Michael was born and raised
on the Yakama Indian Reservation in Toppenish, WA.
10
Carrie and Rod Picking live on the Colville
Indian Reservation where Carrie is an
enrolled member. The Pickings currently
operate a small cattle operation which
includes twenty cow and calf pairs. It has
been their dream for many years to have
a ranch of their own where they could
raise their own hay and have winter pasture for their cattle.
In the Spring of 2014 a 537 acre ranch located on the reservation opened up for sale. The Pickings became very interested
in purchasing the ranch. While attending an outreach meeting
that the Intertribal Agricultural Council sponsored, the Pickings
discovered that - USDA Technical Assistance Specialist Michael
Shellenberger-would help them in the process of acquiring a
loan through the Farm Service Agency.
The sellers of the ranch were asking a price that was not economically feasible for the Pickings, as was discovered during
the process of working through income and expenses. After
several months of negotiations, an agreeable price was obtained. There were also problems with the understood water
rights to the property, these rights needed to be renegotiated
in order for the ranch to operate, fortunately this too came to
pass.
The Pickings now have been approved for a FSA Direct Ownership Loan and a FSA Direct Operating Loan. This loan is setting precedence for the Colville Reservation. The Pickings now
are looking at the NRCS- EQIP program for next year.
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
Today, descendants of the original allottees are a
mixture of various tribal members of other Tribes as
well as Burns Paiute tribal members, who still retain
ownership of 70 allotments totaling 11,200 acres.
These remaining allotments of the original 115 are
located in Eastern Oregon approximately 20 miles
east of the present day Burns Paiute Reservation.
Total enrollment for the Burns Paiute Tribe is 300,
governed by a seven-member Tribal Council.
It has been approximately 127 years and the conIn the Spring of 1868 General Crook made an
ditions of the allotments are in a state of degraoffer of “Peace or Death.” That year Paiute Chiefs
dation. According to recent observations by the
We-You-We-Wa, Gsha-Nee, Po-Nee, Chow-WatNatural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) the
Na-Nee, E-He-Gant (Egan), Ow-Its (oits), and Tashland was once meadowlands containing many inE-Go signed a treaty guaranteeing them a reservadigenous species of plants. Today after being mantion in their homeland. Unfortunately, the cutoff
aged by the Bureau of Indian Affairs who approved
date for signing Indian treaties was passed before
grazing leases in 5 year increments, the land has
the treaty went before Congress; therefore, Conbeen over grazed and contains species of plants
gress never ratified this treaty. Four years later the
that are not edible by domestic animals. As a result
Malheur Reservation was created, taken from the
the Numu Allottees Association (NAA) has been
larger area of Oregon’s entire southeastern corner,
formed by descendants of the original allottees.
which was the first set aside for that purpose. The
The main objective of NAA is to assist the Numu
1,778,560 acres of reservation land included Castle
(Paiute language meaning “the People”) in dealRock, Strawberry Butte, the Silvies River, Malheur
ing with the social injustice, effects of intergeneraLake and the North and South Forks of the Maltional trauma related to manifest injustices that the
heur River within its boundaries. January of 1876
Numu have faced throughout history, such as acts
President Grant, under pressure from settlers, orof war, and the enactment of the Dawes Act.
dered the northern shores of Malheur Lake open
In October 2014, the NAA held a meeting at
for settlement, an area important to the tribe for
Fort Bidwell Indian Reservation of California. NAA
wada seeds.
reached out to the Intertribal Agriculture Council
The “hostile Indians” were ordered 350 miles
to present to the allottees. IAC, through the Technorth to the Yakama Reservation at Fort Simcoe. In
nical Assistance Program provided an outreach
1887, the people that stayed were allotted 160 acre
meeting to 20 descendants of the original owners
parcels of land near Burns, Oregon.
of the Paiute PDA’s.
Burns Pauite
Public Domain Allotments
The BIA Superintendent and Fiduciary Trust Officer/Field Operations/Office of Special Trustee
from the Warm Springs Agency set a meeting with
landowners. It was apparent the landowners were
uninformed from the beginning about the leasing procedure. As the landowners began to speak
about their experiences with the people who
leased their lands, many grievances were heard,
landowners were run off their own land, land was
being used year round, grazed in the spring, hayed
in the summer and pasturing horses all winter, all
of these violations going on with the landowner
feeling helpless and not knowing where to turn.
Landowners were unaware they could simply write
“owner in use” on the lease notices sent out from
the BIA or that leases are bonded and the lessee is
responsible for damage to the leased property or
that fences, water developments, or any upgrades
to the land can be written into their leases.
It became apparent that the allottees required
training on negotiation of leases and the procedures. They parties all agreed to a meeting on November 18, 2018 prior to the next renewal period.
When the parties reclaim their land, IAC technical
support will assist them in seeking resources.
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
11
Keir Johnson
is the Technical Assistance Specialist
for the Pacific Region. He is an Osage Nation tribal member
living in Northern California.
He has a background in education and outreach, as well
as community sustainable agriculture. His personal focus
is on Native cultural heirloom seed preservation and he is
collaborating on the developmental stages of an inter-state
tribal heirloom seed banking effort.
The translation to his passion for co-creating sustainable
agricultural systems within Indian Country is several fold. He
believes that at its core, agriculture is about relationships.
These relationships encompass human to human and human
to the systems of nature. He believes Native peoples’ rich and
historical tradition of land management and sustainable food
production can be drawn upon to address issues relating to
sovereignty, financial resiliency, Native health, and overall
community relations.
Keir’s commitment to working with youth is resounding.
He believes that an important element of agriculture must
include extending a hand to young people, and passing on
rich traditions relating to Natives’ union with the land and
waters. Keir feels that stimulating and perpetuating this very
old intergenerational exchange is of critical importance to
the future of Native ways.
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© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
In July of 2014, IAC entered into an agreement with NRCS
California to provide New Farm Bill Information and Tribal
Feedback sessions to Tribal members. Over twenty Tribes
were represented at these events and received information on
NRCS, FSA, RD, and RMA programming changes. A great deal
of feedback was provided from Tribal officials that will help to
direct future programming at the state level.
Pacific Region Highlights
Until June of 2014, California and Nevada were served through
collaboration among TA staff from various regions. It became
apparent, however, that there was a tremendous need within the
131 Federally Recognized Tribes in the region for IAC Technical
Assistance. Keir Johnson accepted the position and has focused
his initial efforts on a multi-faceted approach to outreach and
education in Indian Country. Based out of Sacramento, California,
Keir has established working relationships with national, state,
and regional staff in FSA, NRCS, RD, RMA, APHIS, AMS, FSA,
and the BIA. Outreach efforts to all 110 Federally Recognized
Tribes in California, and several in Nevada, have introduced
Tribes and producers to IAC, and afforded the opportunity to
learn of needs that may be addressed through USDA programs.
IAC Pacific Region has also partnered with the NRCS Native
American Liaison in California, to establish the state’s Tribal
Conservation Advisory Council that will further inform the State
Technical Advisory Committee on issues of concern in Indian
Country.
Tribal consultation visits have been a primary focus to become
apprised of particular community needs that USDA programming
may address. Tribal feedback has also indicated a need for reform
in certain practices that will be given voice and addressed at the
State level. In August, a presentation was given to the Mendocino/
Sonoma/Lake Counties Tribal Environmental Programs Meeting
regarding the formation of Tribal Conservation Districts (TCDs).
IAC Technical information was provided along with the processes
and functions of TCDs.
Most recently, a survey was provided to Tribal Environmental
and Natural Resource Leads throughout the region to act as a
planning tool and for solicitation of Tribal projects that are in need
of USDA support for FY2015. IAC Pacific Region also helped to
moderate the NRCS Working Effectively with American Indians
IAC Pacific Region has collaborated with USDA Strike Force Training in San Bernardino in early October.
Nevada to address resource and infrastructure concerns with the
Moapa Band of Paiutes and Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone Overall, many new relationships are forming among IAC,
Tribes. These efforts are only recently underway and several California and Nevada Tribes and producers, and regional
areas of need will require multi-year planning and development, and state USDA staff members intent on collaborating to best
address the management and use of Native lands.
which IAC Pacific Region will continue to contribute to.
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
13
Anita Matt is the TA Specialist for the Eastern
Montana area of the Rocky Mountain Region. She is an
enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribe.
Kole Fitzpatrick is the TA Specialist for the Rocky
Mountain Region. He is a member of the Blackfoot
Tribe. Kole serves on the Secretary of Agriculture’s
Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and
Ranchers.
Outreach is Key
Rocky Mountain TA, Anita Matt attended three key outreach
meetings that lead to improved , facilitated by the local Lake County
FSA office staff, the Tribes, Montana State FSA and IAC was held
in April at Charlo, MT over 50 people attended and the meeting
went very well. The content of our meeting was USDA programs.
Attendees gave great praise to all of us sponsoring this event.
The second success was the Rocky Mountain Intertribal Agriculture
meeting held August 21-22, 2014 in Polson. There were 53
participants in this years event and we had 6 out of 9 Tribes
represented at our regional meeting. Issues from each Tribe were
discussed and recorded. Several individuals will be representing
their Tribes for the Rocky Mountain IAC.
I think one of the greatest successes felt for outreach was the
Farm Service Agency end of the year Policy Meeting held in Red
Lodge. Outreach in Indian Country has came a long way in the past
15 years. The Technical Assistance staff traveled to Red Lodge,
Montana to participate in a 3 day Policy Meeting sponsored by the
Montana State FSA. It gives us opportunity to meet the staff and to
update ourselves on the program changes. Each year the Technical
staff are invited to participate. Thank you Montana State FSA.
visit its food security
14
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
Microloan Program is a Good Start
Van Four Souls is a member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe and
resides in Rocky Boy, Montana with his wife and kids. Van was interested in starting his own cattle operation to become the third
generation of cattle ranchers to be on his family land. He contacted IAC with interest in the Micro Loan program administered by
the Farm Service Agency. We worked on the business planning
of the project and cash flow for the number of cattle he wanted
to buy.
Van was eventually successful with his application and was able
to buy 18 cows and 1 bull with his loan funds. He successfylly
completed his first year in the program and is looking to build his
herd even bigger.
The Micro Loan program was a good fit in helping Van start his
operation. It worked well as a starting point for success. He plans
to apply the Direct Loan also administered by FSA. Van would
also like to utilize NRCS with a few resource concerns he has on
his ranch to aid in his aggressive plans for his operation.
gardens and an invitation to First Lady Michelle Obama to visit its
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
15
Zachary Butleris the TA Specialist for the Southern
Plains Region. He comes from the Bear clan on his Sac &
Fox ancestry and the deer clan on his Shawnee ancestry.
He is committed to providing any Tribe or Tribal member
with technical assistance with the different USDA agencies
and programs.
He received a Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State
University in Agronomy (Soil Science).
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© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
Shane has plans to continue growing his cattle herd and is
not sure where that future will take him. But one thing he
knows for sure is that his cattle will provide a future for him
and his future looks bright.
Following In Mom’s Footsteps
A past success story publication featured a story about a
producer who lives in the far northeastern part of Oklahoma.
We worked on a farm ownership loan to purchase more land
that is adjacent to existing property.
In the meantime, Syd took the next step and started the process
of completing a FSA youth loan for her son, Shane. In just a
matter of weeks, the loan was approved. He was awarded a
Youth loan to purchase cattle. He has since purchased cattle
and started his own operation.
Shane has grown up with ranching all around him, regardless of
where he called home; from the family ranch in South Dakota
where he worked alongside his grandpa, Charlie Colombe; to
the ranch of Stace Smith, PRCA Stock Contractor, where he
worked alongside his dad, Joe Bell, Jr; to now where he has
his own herd started in Oklahoma!
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
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10 Southern Pueblos
Pueblo people have been farmers for thousands of years. Agriculture
is an integral part of Pueblo culture and religion. Most Pueblo Tribal
members grow traditional crops on irrigated land, and most Pueblo
Tribes grow alfalfa and other feed crops. Pueblo people, however,
derive minimal income from agriculture.
Desbah Padilla
provides outreach and technical
assistance to twenty Pueblos and five Tribes in the
Southwest region.
She grew up on her parents’ ranch at Bluewater Lake,
New Mexico which instilled a passion for farming and
ranching.
She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of
New Mexico in Environmental Planning and Design and
currently resides in Albuquerque with her family.
The Ten Southern Pueblos consisting of Acoma, Laguna, Isleta,
Sandia, Santa Ana, San Felipe, Santo Domingo, Cochiti, Jemez and
Zia; submitted a USDA RBEG grant for an Indian Food Hub plan to be
constructed at the Pueblo of Acoma.
The Indian Food Hub plan is designed to take advantage of new and
growing demand for local food that is part of the new food movement
and the success of food hubs throughout the country. The goal is to
provide an interface between Pueblo agriculture and local institutional,
consumer and inter-tribal markets that will allow individual Pueblo
farmers as well as Tribal farms options to increasingly commercialize
Pueblo agriculture.
The need to develop a marketing plan came about because the Native
American farmers found at the end of the growing season they usually
had an abundance of produce that was not sold or utilized. A food hub
will ideally offer a location where native producers can deliver their
goods for processing and distribution to market.
In recognition of the innovation, USDA Rural Development State
Directonner presented the certificate to the Acoma Business Enterprise
during the ceremony held at the Southern Pueblos Council monthly
meeting. “The Obama Administration is working hard to create
economic opportunities in rural tribal communities,” Brunner said.
“This strategic investment will help Native farmers find new markets
for their products and offers a path to sustainable farming in the 21st
century.”
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© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
The Association is currently installing an additional 7.5 miles of
waterlines, drinkers, storage facilities, as well as installing a solar
and gas powered pumping plant that is capable of pumping
water up significant grades and operating 24 hours a day. The
expansion of the water systems has helped to utilize the grazing
resources and allow the wildlife access to water.
In addition to the water systems, the Association is planning
on cross-fencing some of the larger pastures enabling the
Association to increase the number of calves as well as better
management of the entire herd. Another improvement is the
conversion of windmills to solar power that will decrease costs
for servicing and maintaining the old wells.
Through the use of USDA funding, significant improvements
have been made. The Sedillo Cattle Association continues to
improve the cattle operation and to protect the natural resources
Sedillo Cattle Association
for future generations and would like to encourage all Native
The Pueblo of Laguna is located west of Albuquerque, New Tribes to take advantage of USDA funding opportunities.
Mexico and includes six villages: Encinal, Laguna, Mesita,
Paguate, Paraji and Seama. The total population of the
Pueblo consists of 3,815 residents located on a reservation of
approximately 500,000 acres.
The Sedillo Cattle Association is a cooperative group of 26
ranchers made up of enrolled members of the Pueblo of
Laguna operating on 97,000 acres. The Association has been
utilizing federal funding sources made available from USDA
for over 20 years. Several successful funding sources are from
the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) such as
the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and the
Conservation Stewardship Program. (CSP)
In 2013, the Sedillo Cattle Association applied for a successful
CSP grant and used the funds to purchase a trencher and a
skidsteer and trailer. Funds were also used to improve the genetic
quality of the cattle herd by replacing the entire bull selection
and installing 4 new 10,000 gallon water storage facilities.
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
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Western Region Highlights
Teresa Honga
Teresa Honga resides on the
Hualapai Reservation in Northwestern Arizona. She is
from the Hopi, Northern Ute and Omaha Tribes.
Teresa has gained experience working for other
organizations since 2010, delivering USDA Outreach to
Native American Farmers and Ranchers on the Hualapai
Reservation and working with the local Tribal Conservation
District. She has also worked as an employee with the
Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program helping
with educational programming with Hualapai Ranchers.
She partners with her husband in their cattle operation
on the Hualapai Reservation and has gained insight
from a producer’s point of view as to the need for USDA
programs in Indian Country.
In June 2014 the Western region TA began conducting tribal outreach
in Arizona delivering information on IAC and USDA Programs. From
these initial outreach efforts, additional meetings took place with
tribal producers and branches of tribal government where NRCS,
RD, FSA and IAC provided program information. Participants
voiced their concerns, needs and goals and planning processes
began. With FSA’s Livestock Forage Program, cattle producers from
the San Carlos Apache Reservation and the Yavapai Prescott Indian
Tribe (tribal herd) have begun the application process.
From June to October on the Hualapai Reservation in Northwestern
Arizona, FSA has set up office once a month at the Hualapai
Department of Natural Resource to take LFP applications from
cattle producers. IAC’s TA visited most of the cattle producers on
Hualapai doing one on one outreach. Teresa found that many didn’t
understand what the Livestock Forage Program was about and
some were a bit reluctant to apply with FSA due to a past negative
experience. During this period 33 out of 40 livestock producers
applied for the LFP Program with all 33 applications successful.
In September, IAC Western Region, Utah Division of Indian Affairs,
the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Rural Assistance
Corporation, NRCS, FSA, Regional Strike Force Coordinator, Office
of the Secretary were invited to meet with the Utah State Director,
USDA, Rural Development for a Strike Force Team Meeting
in Salt Lake City, Utah. As partners we can do more in reducing
poverty and implementing successful community and economic
development programs by developing strong working relationships
between state and federal agencies, local and tribal governments
and nonprofit organizations. Ideas were shared on how we could
work more effectively by leveraging resources and collaborating on
creating economic opportunities on Tribal Lands in Utah.
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© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
Members or other interested parties who would like to
discuss Network operations, seek assistance in improving
Indian Agriculture, or who need the assistance of the
Network, are encouraged to call or contact the Technical
Assistance Specialist near you or the TA office.
Zach Ducheneaux, Program Director
[email protected]
Jacie Schrempp, Program Assistant
[email protected]
MIDWEST
Daniel Cornelius – Madison, Wisconsin
[email protected]
608-280-1267
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Kole Fitzpatrick – Browning, Montana
[email protected]
406-450-8704
ALASKA
Dave Monture – Kodiak, Alaska
[email protected]
907-942-5800
NAVAJO
Danielle Notah – Tohatchi, New Mexico
[email protected]
406-690-9597
Anita Matt – Moiese, Montana
[email protected]
406-871-7074
Dorothy Shockley – Fairbanks, Alaska
[email protected]
907-347-4659
NORTHWEST
Katherine Goodluck – Pendleton, Oregon
[email protected]
541-278-6811
EASTERN OKLAHOMA
Steven Bond – Stratford, Oklahoma
[email protected]
928-699-6774
GREAT PLAINS
Adam Schuchhardt – Eagle Butte, South Dakota
[email protected]
605-850-9234
SOUTHERN PLAINS
Zachary Butler – Meeker, Oklahoma
zbutler@ IndianAgLink.com
405-747-7665
Mike Shellenberger – Zillah, Washington
[email protected]
509-833-4937
SOUTHWEST
Desbah Padilla – Albuquerque, New Mexico
[email protected]
505-377-0342
PACIFIC
Keir Johnson - Sacremento, California
[email protected]
(916) 995-3209
WESTERN
Teresa Honga - Valentine, Arizona
[email protected]
(928) 302-6835
Intertribal Agriculture Council – Technical Assistance Program
PO Box 430, Eagle Butte SD 57625 - Phone: 605-964-8320
www.IndianAgLink.com www.IACtechhelp.com
© 2015 Intertribal Agriculture Council - TA Network - Volume 3 - Spring 2015
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Youth and The Food Sovereignty Continuum - it IS all about that Ag!
IAC’s 28th Annual Membership Meeting in Las Vegas was held in December, 2014. Seeing the youth as the successors and caretakers of our Agricultural future the IAC took a proactive approach to the development and continued involvement of our native youth in Ranching and Farming. As a positive step in the is direction a successful
“youth focused component” was held along side the general meeting. The youth were provided information and
materials on financing, personal development, agriculture as well as many other topics.
In addition to the educational material provided the youth were involved in the production of a music video that
will be used for marketing and promotion to continue the involvement of our Native youth in Agriculture. The
video can be found on YouTube called It’s All About That Ag.