The First Nations Development Institute is seeking applications for its Native Farmer and Rancher Apprenticeship Network to provide training and Technical Assistance (TA) as well as networking opportunities to a cohort of 30 select Native American Beginning Farmer and Ranchers (BFRs) to expand their business capacity and strengthen land management strategies.
Donor Name: First Nations Development Institute
States: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Arizona, New Mexico
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 01/14/2022
Size of the Grant: $7,500
Grant Duration: 30 Months
Details:
Applicants should be willing to commit to a 30-month apprenticeship, which will involve traveling to regional in-person training, participating in virtual webinars and fieldwork, and networking with other producers. The purpose of this apprenticeship is to support Native BFRs to build their business capacity and agricultural management of their operations to increase local production of and community access to food, conservation plan development, business plan development, marketing/branding, Native agricultural traditions, and natural resources management.
Apprenticeship support is made possible through funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture.
Funding Information
Selected Native American beginning farmers and ranchers will receive an incentive not exceeding the amount of $7,500 over the course of 30 months. In addition, each apprentice will receive individualized technical assistance to deepen their work.
Apprenticeship Period
The apprenticeship period for this funding opportunity is February 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
Native American beginning farmers and ranchers eligible to apply to include U.S.-based, BFRs that are involved in agriculture, conservation, and ecological stewardship activities directly related to eliminating Native food insecurity, building the health of communities and community members, and as a mechanism for entrepreneurship and economic development in the Great Plains (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) and the Southwest (Arizona and New Mexico).
Types of eligible applicants include, but are not limited to:
- Applicants must be tribally affiliated with a Native American community in the Great Plains and Southwest.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Beginning Farmer and Rancher with 10-years or less of experience.
- Proof of access to land includes Private, Grazing Permits, and Leases.
For more information, visit Native Farmer and Rancher Apprenticeship Network.
