Putting Tribal Sovereignty
in Food Sovereignty
On July 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an end to certain uses of the “socially disadvantaged” producer designation. In a final rule published in the Federal Register, the department explained it would “no longer employ the race- and...
In the latest episode of “Rooted Wisdom,” Executive Director of Akiptan, Skya Ducheneaux, joins the podcast to discuss how Community Development Financial Institutions, or CDFIs, are reshaping access to capital in Indian Country. Ducheneaux, a member of the Cheyenne...
The public comment period on USDA’s Reorganization Plan is still open. All stakeholders, including Tribal governments, are encouraged to submit their feedback to reorganization@usda.gov by September 30, 2025. The Department’s reorganization plans were published via...
In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a sweeping reorganization plan that could significantly affect Tribal governments, producers, and service delivery across Indian Country. The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) has...
In a recent feature by Fields of Possibility, Kelli Case (Chickasaw Nation), Senior Staff Attorney at the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI), shared insights on the intersection of Tribal food sovereignty and organic agriculture. “We’re not just talking...
In the summer of 2024, the Chickasaw and Cherokee Nations led impactful implementations of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) Program, a federal nutrition program designed to reduce food insecurity among children during the summer months when school...
In a recent column for the Tulsa World, IFAI Executive Director Carly Griffith Hotvedt (Cherokee Nation) highlighted the expanding economic footprint of Tribal Nations across Oklahoma. The piece underscored how Tribal governments are driving growth through strategic...
Coming soon: IFAI will be releasing an analysis of the proposed USDA reorganization and its potential impact on Indian Country food systems and agricultural production. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is seeking public comments on the Special Milk Program for...
Growing Potential: Voices from the 11th Annual Native Youth in Agriculture Summit Each summer, the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) hosts a transformative event that brings together Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian youth from across...
On Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee will review the USDA reorganization proposal that was dropped at the end of last week. IFAI is working on an analysis of the proposed reorganization and potential impact on Indian Country food...