USDA’s NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture) is accepting letters of intent for its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) until April 2, 2015. Full proposals are due June 4, 2015.
AFRI Grant
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Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting sign-ups for its Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) until February 27th, 2015. CSP provides financial resources for good land management practices.
Conservation Innovation Grant
USDA’s NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) is accepting applications for its Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) for projects aimed at stimulating the development and implementation of innovative conservation practices. Pre-proposals are due February 24th, 2015 and selected applications will be invited to submit a full proposal for $20 million in total available funding. Approximately half of this total funding will be set aside from projects addressing environmental markets and conservation projects that engage agricultural producers.
Great Lakes Intertribal Food Summit
The Great Lakes Intertribal Food Summit will be held April 14-16, 2015 at Oneida, WI. Check the event page for more details. Registration will be opening in early February, and limited scholarships will be available.
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Grant Program (BFRDG)
USDA’s Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Grant Program (BFRDG) is accepting applications for efforts to develop and offer education, training, outreach, and mentoring programs to enhance the sustainability of next generation farmers. Approximately $18.5 million in total funding is available for projects up $250,000 per year that can last up to three years. The application deadline is March 13, 2015. Click on the program link above for more information and the full request for applications.
Find out how to boost your farming business with the USDA
There is a slew of workshops on the horizon that will help you find out which grants and low-interest loans you’re eligible for. These workshops are day-long and have a $15 registration fee that includes lunch. If you have any follow up questions after these workshops, feel free to get in touch with us!
Fall Newsletter
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.
Maple Co-op Membership Meeting & Regional Conferences
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.
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.
IAC Youth Essay Contest & Annual Membership Meeting
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)
Seed Saving Workshop
We’re hosting two seed saving workshops at the end of September. One is at College of Menominee Nation in Keshena on Wednesday, September 24th and the second is the next day at the college’s Green Bay campus.
Great Lakes Region IAC Website 