Benefits for producers including direct payments, training, and helpful resources
A New Program For Native American Producers Interested In Using Grazing Practices To Sell More Beef
What Is The Project – And How Will Native American Producers Benefit?
A new project supporting Native American beef producers in Florida, Montana, and Oklahoma is now available.
Where must I raise beef to be eligible to participate?
Florida, Montana, and Oklahoma
What types of producers are eligible?
Native American producers raising a herd of beef cattle as their primary form of business income. Both small-scale producers and large-scale producers are welcome and encouraged to apply.
What happens if I decide to sign up?
Farm Journal Foundation and IAC will help you enroll. Once you are enrolled, you will have access to technical assistance and training resources. As you successfully implement new practices and/or expand existing ones per the terms of the project, you will be eligible for the direct payments and future beef market access.
When will the project start, and how long will it last?
Producer enrollment is anticipated to begin in fall 2023.
Your participation in the project will last for three years.
Benefits for participating beef producers will include:
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$1 million total in direct funding available to support up to 100 producers who implement new grazing practices and/or expand their use of traditional grazing practices Native American producers have used for generations
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Training and technical assistance for implementation and/or expansion of grazing practices
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Expanded market access for beef raised by Native Americans via the American Indian Foods (AIF) trademark label developed by the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC)
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Improved access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs
Ready to apply? Follow these easy steps!
Fill out our short interest survey or reach out to FJF or IAC for more information.
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Step Three
Enrollment process begins.
Program staff will follow up with you to talk more about your operation.
For Further Information:
State IAC Technical Assistance Specialists:
MONTANA
Zane Not Afraid, Interregional 3 Manager
zane@indianag.org | (406) 665-5394
OKLAHOMA
Jeff Caskey, Technical Assistance Specialist
jeff@indianag.org | (580) 371-7869
FLORIDA
Mackenize Martinez, Interregional 4 Manager
mackenize@indianag.org | (318) 602-7407
Benefiting the Planet AND Your Operation
By implementing one or more of the below practices, you could see the benefits of reduced feed costs, improved animal weight gain, reduced energy spending, increased drought tolerance, and increased biodiversity, all while lowering your carbon footprint.
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Adoption of prescribed grazing
(NRCS practice code 528)
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Establish or expand permanent fencing, adopt temporary electric or virtual fencing
(NRCS practice code 382)
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Establish or expand watering facilities, including digging new well(s)
(NRCS practice codes 614 and 642)
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Range planting with native and/or perennial seed species
(NRCS practice code 550)
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Herbaceous weed treatment
(NRCS practice code 315)
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Grazing land mechanical treatment
(NRCS practice code 548)
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Pasture and hay planting
(NRCS practice code 512)
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Brush Management
(NRCS practice code 314)
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Prescribed Burning
(NRCS practice code 338)
Program Partners
This project is organized by the nonprofit Farm Journal Foundation in partnership with Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC), Ecosystem Services Market Consortium, and The Yield Lab Institute. It is funded by a Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Farm Journal Foundation (FJF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., that brings together stakeholders from across the agricultural spectrum – farmers, industry leaders, policymakers, students, and consumers. The organization provides education on how innovative agriculture can solve some of the world’s biggest challenges and works with leaders to drive long-term positive action. The Foundation focuses on four main issues: global food and nutrition security, conservation and sustainability, rural development, and agricultural research and innovation.
The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) was founded in 1987 to pursue and promote the conservation, development, and use of our agricultural resources for the betterment of our people. IAC has grown to prominence in Indian Country and among the federal government agencies and the agricultural field with which it works on behalf of individual Indian producers and Tribal enterprises. IAC believes the harmonies of human, soil, water, air, vegetation, and wildlife that collectively make up the American Indian agriculture community, influence our emotional and spiritual well-being.
Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) is a non-profit public-private partnership of 70+ organizations that operates pre-competitively across the agricultural supply chain to generate quantified verified carbon and ecosystem services credits exclusively from US agriculture. The Ecosystem Services Market Research Consortium (ESMRC) is ESMC’s research arm that innovates and invests in high priority research, development, demonstration, and deployment into new regions and production systems.
The Yield Lab Institute (YLI) is a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission of creating effective innovation in the agriculture and food sectors by attracting a greater diversity of innovators. The methodology of the YLI is based on an assessment of a geographical region’s readiness for innovation, engaging with individual innovators, and providing the services, including education and mentorship, to move ideas from concept to market.