Our 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
Policy Brief – June 26, 2023
Policy Brief Summary:
Congress goes on a two-week recess, though some legislative hearings took place including House Agriculture’s focus on broadband expansion in rural communities, markup on a Bureau of Land Management rule concerning conservation issues that may impact tribes and a House Natural Resources committee hearing with the chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. There in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court rules against the Navajo Nation in a water rights case v. the State of Arizona. Native News Online covers the departure of Janie Simms Hipp from USDA.
Request for Applications for Heirs’ Property Relending Program
Agency: USDA – Farm Service Agency Action: Requests for application (ongoing until enough applications received) Does it matter: Opportunity for interested eligible entities, including cooperatives, credit unions, and nonprofit organizations certified to operate as a...
Notice of Funding Availability for the Native Community Development Financial Institution (NCDFI) Relending Demonstration Program FY 2023
Agency: USDA – Rural Housing Service Action: Submission of application by July 17, 2023 Does it matter: Notice of funding available for Native CDFIs to apply for the Native CDFI Relending Demonstration Program for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The program has $7,502,000...
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.
Putting Tribal Sovereignty

















