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 RESOURCES
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...
Policy Brief- August 19, 2025
Congress remains in recess through Labor Day. IFAI recently published an analysis of the USDA Final Rule on Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. Our Rooted Wisdom podcast team interviewed Akiptan’s, Skya Ducheneaux to discuss how Native CDFIs are reshaping...
Policy Brief- August 12, 2025
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...
Policy Brief- August 4, 2025
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...
Policy Brief- July 29, 2025
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...
Policy Brief- July 22, 2025
IFAI is back to policy briefs after a one-week hiatus following our annual Tribal Youth Summit. We have updated Congressional notes from the last two weeks, including Senate Appropriations hearing on FY2026 USDA-FDA funding, Senate Indian Affairs nomination...
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