Putting Tribal SovereigntyPolicy
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 RESOURCES
IFAI Analyzes Roadless Rule Rescission
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. – Today, the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) published an analysis of the Tribal impacts of USDA’s proposed rule rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule, a regulation that prohibited most road construction and timber harvesting in almost...
Policy Brief- September 8
Summary: Government Funding – Last week, the House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) extending current federal funding levels through Dec. 11. Signed into law by President Trump, the CR heads off a potential government shutdown at the end of the...
Policy Brief- August 31
Summary: Government funding – The House of Representatives returns today from August recess and will vote tomorrow on a Continuing Resolution (CR) extending current federal funding levels through Dec. 11. If passed, the legislation would head off a potential...
Policy Brief- August 24
Summary: Roadless Rule – USDA has filed a proposal rule to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, a regulation that aims to protect 58 million acres of roadless U.S. Forest Service land by limiting new road construction, timber harvesting, and energy development. USDA has...
Policy Brief- August 17
Summary: Farm Bill negotiations remain unsettled - The Senate Agriculture Committee’s failed vote to advance its Farm Bill proposal leaves major questions about conservation programs, specialty crop support, crop insurance, nutrition programs, and rural development...
IFAI Analysis: Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. – The recently introduced Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act (S.4976) advances Tribal food sovereignty by establishing two new demonstration projects for Tribal Nations to administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)...
Policy Brief- August 10
Summary: Youth Self-Advocacy Webinar – Join IFAI for a Credit and Loans Self-Advocacy Webinar on August 17 at 12 noon CT. This webinar will teach critical tools for Native youth to advocate for themselves with financial institutions, USDA, and Tribal and Congressional...
Updated Farm Bill Released by Senate Committee
WASHINGTON - The Senate Agriculture Committee released an updated Farm Bill text over the weekend that would delay new cost-sharing requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Committee is marking up the legislation on Thursday. Under...
Policy Brief- August 3
Summary: Senate Farm Bill. The Senate Agriculture Committee released updated Farm Bill text over the weekend ahead of a markup scheduled for Thursday at 9:30 a.m. EST. The updated bill text delays implementation of SNAP benefit cost share for states from October 2027...
IFAI Analyzes FY26 Senate Farm Bill
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. – On July 27, IFAI held a webinar on the 2026 Senate Farm Bill discussion draft, breaking down important provisions for Indian Country. IFAI's policy team also discussed key differences between the Senate and House texts and next steps for the Farm...