Author Archives: Dan

Fall Newsletter

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Our fall newsletter for the Great Lakes Region is posted below.  Here are some highlights:

  • Youth Essay Contest: This year’s contest theme is “Feeding the Future and Filling the Age Gap in Indian Agriculture”.  Tribal youth ages 9th-12th grade are encouraged to apply.  The top three finalists will receive a generous prize package and an all expenses paid trip to the IAC Annual Membership Meeting for themselves and an adult chaperone.  We also have a limited number of youth scholarships available to the Membership Meeting.
  • IAC Annual Membership Meeting: Held December 8-11, the 28th annual event will again be at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.  We have a couple producer scholarships for the Great Lakes Region.  Additional information and the membership form is included in the attached newsletter.
  • Intertribal Maple Syrup Producer Co-op: This new effort is working to build support for Native sugar producers by providing equipment discounts, education, unified marketing, and enhanced coordination.  A recently awarded USDA Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) is supporting a feasibility study and business plan.  The co-op website is tribalsyrup.com.
  • Mobile Farmers Market: Despite limited funding and staffing, the second season of the Mobile Farmers Market continued to make strides in expanding access to and promoting traditional foods.  We are in the process of reevaluating outreach and distribution strategies that is focusing on expanded distribution partnerships to allow more regular ordering and deliveries while continuing to use the van for special events and larger shipments.  Our USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant has expired, but we are committed to continuing this effort.
  • Sustainable Ag. Workshop Series: Events this year included the MOSES Organic Farming Conference, the Food Sovereignty Summit, a Seed Training at Shakopee in May, and seed saving workshops in conjunction with LCO’s Tribal College and College of Menominee Nation.  We are working to expand the number and scope of workshops next year.  USDA SARE has provided funding to make this effort possible.

great lakes_fall ’14 newsletter_member

Maple Co-op Membership Meeting & Regional Conferences

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The first Intertribal Maple Syrup Producers Co-op Meeting is Saturday, September 27th from 3:00-6:00pm as part of the Indigenous Peoples Task Force Conference at the Cloquet Forestry Center on the Fond du Lac Reservation.  Conference registration is $25.

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The Intertribal Agriculture Council’s Dan Cornelius will also be presenting at the Research for Indigenous Community Health (RICH) Summit on Monday, September 29th in Minneapolis, and the Mobile Farmers Market will be setup at the event.

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IAC Youth Essay Contest & Annual Membership Meeting

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The Intertribal Agriculture Council is accepting submissions for our youth essay contest until November 1st, 2014.  This year’s theme is “Feeding the Future and Filling the Age Gap in Indian Agriculture”.  Youth in 9-12 grades are eligible to submit entries, and winners will receive both an all-expenses paid trip to IAC’s Annual Membership Meeting in Las Vegas from December 8-11, 2014 and a great prize package.  Additional information is available in the announcement posted below.  A release waiver, also included below, is required.

2014-Youth-Essay-Contest       2014-Youth-Essay-Contest-Release-Form

We also have a limited number of adult producer and youth scholarships available for the Annual Membership Meeting.  Youth scholarships (including essay winners) include travel for an adult chaperone).  Interested individuals should complete and submit scholarship applications as soon as possible.

2014 MM Producer Scholarship Application   2014 MM Youth Scholarship Application (3)

NB3 Foundation Youth Capacity Grant

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The Notah Begay III Foundation’s “Native Strong: Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures” national initiative is accepting applications for projects aimed at 1) community health assessments and/or 2) community planning and capacity building.  Requests may be up to $20,000.  Tribes and 501c3 non-profits are eligible to apply, and priority is given to Tribes in the Upper Midwest (MN, WI), Southwest (AZ, NM), and Southern Regions (OK, TX).  The application deadline is September 12th.

Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Rancher (2501) Grant

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The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (“2501”) grant is accepting applications until August 25th, 2014.  Intended to assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in owning and operating farms and ranches while increasing their participation in USDA programs, the 2501 grant program has a total of $9.1 million available, which is split into three different categories.

USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program & Local Foods Promotion Program

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USDA’s AMS (Ag. Marketing Service) is accepting applications for the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) to increase domestic consumption and access to locally and regionally produced foods and to develop new market opportunities for local producers.  Awards will range between $15,000-100,000.  A total of $15 million is available and the application deadline is June 20, 2014.

The related Local Food Promotion Program (LMPP) provides funds to support the development and expansion of local and regional food businesses.  Funding is available for planning grants ranging between $5000-25,000 and implementation grants for between $25,000-100,000.  A total of $15 million is available and the application deadline is June 20, 2014.  A 25% match is required.

Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant

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USDA’s Rural Development is accepting applications for the Small Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG) to provide technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives and cooperative development centers.  A total of $3 million is available with a maximum award of $200,000 and no match is required.