Policy
What we do
The IFAI Policy team assists Tribal Nations in strengthening their food systems and agricultural initiatives by delivering timely and accurate analyses of federal laws and policies that affect Tribal agriculture.
Policy Briefings
														Policy Brief- October 28
Summary: There are three Senate Committee meetings worth noting on Wednesday, Oct. 29, including a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing about the impacts of government shutdowns and Agency reductions in force on Native communities. IFAI has released its...
														Policy Brief- October 21
Summary: Today is the last day to register for the Oct. 22 Tribal consultation on proposed changes to SNAP. That consultation is still happening regardless of the government shut down. IFAI will release an analysis piece following the consultation. IFAI has a...
														Policy Brief- October 14, 2025
IFAI Executive Director, Carly Griffith Hotvedt, was featured in a KOSU article discussing the impacts of federal funding uncertainty on Tribal food and agriculture. After the Oct. 14 Tribal leader consultation on USDA’s departmental Reorganization Plan, there is...
														Policy Brief- October 7, 2025
While Congress is holding hearings through the government shutdown, there were none scheduled with direct impacts on Tribal food and agriculture this week. Despite the shutdown, the USDA Office of Tribal Relations page still shows two Tribal leader consultations...
														Policy Brief- September 30, 2025
Congress’ focus is on government funding, with the House out until Oct. 1 and the Senate yet to pass a short-term agreement. In a busy October, the USDA is hosting a virtual consultation on proposed changes to SNAP on Oct. 22 from 1-3 p.m. EST, with virtual-only...
														Policy Brief- September 23, 2025
The USDA scheduled two Tribal leader consultation sessions on Oct. 14 and Oct. 16 over its Reorganization Plan. Check out IFAI’s analysis of potential Indian Country impacts here. IFAI will hold a closed Tribal briefing on October 9, 2025, for elected Tribal leaders...
														Policy Brief- September 16, 2025
USDA is holding two Tribal leader consultation sessions on Oct. 14 and Oct. 16 over its Reorganization Plan. Check out IFAI’s analysis of potential Indian Country impacts here. IFAI will hold a closed Tribal briefing on October 9, 2025 for elected Tribal leaders and...
														Policy Brief- September 9, 2025
The USDA Tribal Advisory Committee’s Sept. 18 Federal Register notice is out. Proceedings start at noon EST, with public comments open from 3-4 p.m. The TAC is also taking nominations for new members through Sept. 22, 2025. Senator Lisa Murkowski’s office is calling...
														Policy Brief- September 2, 2025
Congress is back this week, with government funding likely the focus for legislators in the coming weeks. IFAI has released its analysis of the One Big Beautiful Bill and its impacts on Tribal nations, producers, and citizens. Read IFAI’s summary here. The nomination...
														Policy Brief- August 25, 2025
Know anyone who might be a good fit for USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee? There are four vacant seats. Submit your nomination by Sept. 22, 2025. Check out IFAI's analysis of USDA’s Final Rule on Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. If you want to learn...
Putting Tribal Sovereignty