Putting Tribal Sovereignty
in Food Sovereignty
On May 5, 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued Secretary's Memorandum 1078-010, which clarifies how certain executive orders apply to federally recognized Indian Tribes, their citizens, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian Communities. “The...
The latest episode of Rooted Wisdom features a discussion on agricultural mental health initiatives with Josie Rudolphi, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Illinois, and Kaycee Captain, a Tribal outreach and policy specialist at the...
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative's Executive Director Carly Griffith Hotvedt (Cherokee Nation), spoke with Grist on how the new administrations' funding freeze can affect Tribal food and agriculture. Read the full article by clicking the button below.
Since its founding more than a decade ago, the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) has been a cornerstone in supporting Tribal Nations, producers, and organizations engaged in the development of their food systems. IFAI’s Tribal Enterprise Team recently...
Growth amongst Tribal producers was a bright spot in the most recent Census of Agriculture. American Indian/Alaska Native-owned operations account for more than 58,000 farms nationwide, with almost 10 percent of Tribal producers working in aquaculture or other animal...
The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), Public Law 93-638, has provided Tribes the ability to improve federal program efficiency and impact for more than 50 years. However, food and agricultural programs have largely been left out. The...
Summary Congress is on recess for two weeks, but if you want to learn more about Executive Orders and Actions impacting Tribal food and agriculture, see IFAI’s webinar on our website here. The Food and Nutrition Service is requesting comments about the 2027 Farm to...
Summary Last week, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a field hearing in Oklahoma City to examine 50 years of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA). Seven Tribal leaders were in attendance, and their comments as well as other...
In the latest episode of the Rooted Wisdom Podcast, host Tish Mindemann interviews Carly Griffith Hotvedt, the Executive Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative and a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation about the crucial topic of rural development...
Filing taxes can be confusing and stressful at the best of times. With daunting rules and laws about production, ranching and grazing on Tribal reservations, as well as jurisdictions and fractionalized lands, taxes can prove even more challenging for Tribal producers....