The Native Women & Youth in Ag Essay Contest is accepting essay from youth in 9-12 grades until November 5, 2012. The three finalists will receive a all-expense paid trip to the Intertribal Agriculture Council’s Annual Membership Meeting in Las Vegas, NV from December 10-13, 2012. Here is the 2012 Flyer of the announcement posted below. We are also offering a very limited number of youth scholarships for young adults aged 13-20. Here is the 2012 Y Ch Sch for that scholarship.
Following up on last year’s successful Great Lakes Region Producer Summit, a collaboration among the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, First Nations Development Institute, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, and the Intertribal Agriculture Council is organizing a Food Sovereignty Summit from April 15-18, 2013 at the Oneida’s Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. The agenda will be forthcoming in the near future, but we do already have a save-the-date that is posted below.
Closely following the Research and Education Grant, NCR-SARE (Northcentral Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) also recently announced calls for proposals on its Farmer Rancher Grant Program. These grants range from $7,500 to $22,500, depending on applicant(s), for a wide assortment of projects exploring sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects. The application deadline is November 29, 2012.
Northcentral SARE (NCR-SARE) is accepting pre-proposals for the Research and Education (R&E) Grant Program until November 10, 2012. NCR-SARE R&E Grants are available from $10,000-200,000 for researchers and educators involved in projects that that explore and promote environmentally sound, profitable, and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems.
USDA’s Rural Development is accepting applications for the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) until October 15th. VAPG provides up to $100,000 for a marketing feasibility for value added agricultural products or $300,000 in working capital. There is a 50% match requirement, but 25% may come from in kind contributions.
Come learn about how the Bay Mills Community College (BMCC)’s Waishkey Farm has used a variety of USDA programs to start their sustainable farm that grows and produces vegetable, fruit, grazing livestock, and poultry.
The travel scholarship deadline has been extended to Monday, August 20th, and scholarship requests or other questions should be sent to Dan Cornelius (dan@indianaglink.com).
USDA’s Rural Development is seeking applications for grants to help rural businesses create jobs. Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RCDG) are available up to $175,000 for one year, with a total of $5.8 million available. RCDG requires a 25% matching contribution.
The Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) are also available with a total of $2.27 million. Applications for both opportunities are due August 6, 2012. Check this webpage for more information:
http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-44502a
And here is more info for RBOG:
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed members to the new USDA Council for Native American Farming and Ranching (CNAFR). CNAFR is an advisory committee that will work with the Secretary to improve American Indian access to the department’s programs, as well as helping to make them more responsive to native food producers’ needs.
See the list of appointees to learn more at
Want to attend a White House Kids State Dinner hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama? The White House, in conjunction with the US Departments of Agriculture and Education and the website Epicuroius is hosing a recipe contest for children ages 8-12. Delicious and nutritious recipes will be accepted from May 21st through June 17th, and winners will be notified on July 16th. Entrants are encouraged to consult the MyPlate nutrition guidelines. More information is available on the Let’s Move Program’s contest website and on Epicurious’ contest website where entries may be submitted.
Another contest opportunity is seeking K-8 student art submissions raising awareness for child abuse. Twelve finalists will be selected, with their work being showcased on the PSC’s website during Native Heritage Month in November.
North Central Region (NCR) – Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)’s Professional Development Grant Program (PDP) Pre-proposal deadline is Wednesday, May 16th, 2012. NCR-SARE’s PDP competitive grants emphasize training agricultural educators using farmers as educators. Grants generally range from $30,000-75,000 and may last up to 36 months. An average of 5-10 grants per year are funded. More information is available at NCR-SARE’s PDP website.
Great Lakes Region IAC Website 