Putting Tribal SovereigntyOur mission is to enhance the health and wellness of Tribal communities by advancing healthy food systems, diversified economic development, and cultural food traditions.
WHAT’S NEW
Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative joins UTulsa College of Law
TULSA, OK. – The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI), a national leader in Tribal food and agriculture law and policy, has joined The University of Tulsa’s College of Law. Since its founding in 2013, IFAI has worked alongside Tribal governments,…
Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative Featured In the News – Marketplace December 2023
MPR News recently featured the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative's Associate Executive Director, Carly Griffith Hotvedt (Cherokee Nation) about Indian Country food and agriculture as well as meat processing and its impact on Tribal food security. Here is an...
IFAI’s Meagen Baldy appointed to inaugural USDA Tribal Advisory Committee
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative’s Meagen Baldy (Hupa from the Hoopa Valley Tribe) recently accepted the nomination to the inaugural U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC).  “Meagen’s knowledge and expertise will prove an...
Policy Brief – December 5, 2023
Policy Brief Summary Last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing on nominations for the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development and the Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. There are three hearings related to...
What does the Farm Bill extension mean for Indian Country? Q&A with IFAI’s Kristiana Coutu
 After a couple of tumultuous months, the Farm Bill is officially extended. In mid-November, just before Congress left town for the holiday break, the House and Senate agreed to a one-year extension of the current Farm Bill with a new expiration date of Sept. 30,...
CDFIs Address Credit Challenges in Indian Country
A recent subcommittee hearing of the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs highlighted the work of Native-serving Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Senators heard testimony on the continued challenges these unique...
What We Do
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) focuses on putting Tribal sovereignty in food sovereignty, promoting Tribally driven solutions to revitalize and advance traditional food systems and diversified economic development throughout Indian Country. IFAI provides Tribal governments, producers, and food businesses with educational resources, policy research, and strategic legal analysis as a foundation for building robust food economies.
EVENT CALENDAR
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative participates in virutal and in-person events nationwide to ensure that Tribes and individual producers, regardless of their location, have access to the resources and support they need. IFAI participates in outreach events, youth events, food safety trainings, and Tribal enterprise outreach wherever we are needed. This calendar shows you where we are going and how we are impacting Indian Country.
Funding Opportunities
Grants and funding opportunities are key tools for many Tribes and Tribal producers. However, navigating the list of programs available can be challenging. To help, IFAI staff stay on top of the latest grants and opportunities. Check out the latest list by clicking the button below.
Our Partners
Our work depends on the generous support we receive from the partners listed below.
