USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative

USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative is sponsored by USDA Office of Tribal Relations. Promotes traditional food ways, Indian Country food and agriculture markets, and Indigenous health through foods tailored to American Indian/Alaska Native dietary needs.

NewsBlogEmployee Resources A **. gov** Website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture Providing a safety net for millions of Americans who are food-insecure and for developing and promoting dietary guidance based on scientific evidence.

* Food Safety Food Safety * Nutrition Policy and Programs Nutrition Policy and Programs * Nutrition Policy and Programs * Nutrition Research and Programs Overview * Food Assistance Programs Food Assistance Programs * Food Assistance Programs * Food Assistance Programs Overview and emergency food assistance among many other programs.")

* Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) * Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) USDA conducts and funds food safety research to generate real-world results for both government and the private sector.

* Nutrition Policy and Programs * Nutrition Research and Programs Overview USDA provides leadership, technical expertise and cooperation for developing of the Dietary Guidelines and Federal nutrition and economic initiatives. * Food Assistance Programs * Food Assistance Programs Overview and emergency food assistance among many other programs.")

USDA provides critical nutrition assistance through Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) and emergency food assistance among many other programs. * Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the food essential to health and well-being.

* Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) WIC safeguards the health of low-income women, infants, and children at nutrition risk by providing food, healthy eating, and healthcare referrals. SNAP Emergency Allotments are Ending Soon, many SNAP households will experience a change to their benefit amounts.

Tackle Foodborne Illness When Ordering Takeout or Delivered Foods If left out too long, all foods can become a source of foodborne illness. Cooking Meat: Is It Done Yet? Only 55% of people use a food thermometer to verify if their food is safe to consume.

We maintain a safety net for America's farmers, ranchers and growers that includes disaster assistance, crop insurance, access to credit and more.

## Farming and Ranching Menu * Farmers First Farmers First * New Farmers New Farmers * Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers * Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers * Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers Overview * Agricultural Coexistence * Commodity Credit Corporation * Animal Science Animal Science * Animal Science Overview * Animal Reports and Data * BSE Surveillance Information Center * Plants and Crops Plants and Crops * Plants and Crops Overview * Plant Health and Research * Pest and Weed Management * Organic Farming Organic Farming * Organic Farming Overview * Organic Training and Transition Assistance * Organic Research, Education, and Extension Programs * Agricultural Education and Outreach Agricultural Education and Outreach * Agricultural Education and Outreach * Agricultural Education and Outreach Overview * Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers * Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers * Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers Overview * Crop and Livestock Insurance * Aquaculture Aquaculture ## Farming and Ranching Submenus The Trump Administration has been working around the clock since January 20th to put American Farmers First.

President Trump signed the Farm Bill into law on December 20, 2018, and the USDA promptly began implementing key programs. New Farmers offers information and resources on how to start a farm, make a business plan, access to land and capital, manage risk, and more.

(opens in a new window) * Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers * Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers Overview Small and midsize producers provide new opportunities for American agriculture across the country.

* Agricultural Coexistence * Commodity Credit Corporation * Animal Science Overview Through applied research and developing technology, USDA has improved the research of animal diseases, well-being, veterinary biologics, and BSE. Through research programs and reports, USDA has developed biotechnological methods and gathered data to show the development of animal productivity.

* Animal Reports and Data * BSE Surveillance Information Center * Plants and Crops Overview USDA is developing strategies to reduce losses caused by plant diseases, pests, and weeds, providing a system to maintain environmental quality. * Plant Health and Research * Pest and Weed Management * Organic Farming Overview The USDA has a wealth of organic data for producers, processors, consumers, and researchers.

* Organic Training and Transition Assistance * Organic Research, Education, and Extension Programs * Agricultural Education and Outreach * Agricultural Education and Outreach Overview The food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the fuel that powers our lives is produced with agriculture.

* Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers * Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers Overview USDA provides financial support including crop and livestock insurance, grants and loans, and disaster resources for farmers and ranchers. * Crop and Livestock Insurance Aquaculture is the production of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions throughout part or all their lifecycle.

USDA Supports America’s Heroes The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking to military veterans across the country to fill the roles that keep America’s food supply safe and secure, preserve and strengthen rural communities, and restore and conserve the environment. Forestry is the science and practice of establishing, managing, using, and conserving forests and related resources to meet goals, needs, and values.

* Agroforestry Agroforestry * Agroforestry Frequently Asked Questions * USDA's Role in Agroforestry * Landowner Assistance Landowner Assistance * Landowner Assistance Overview * Disaster Resource Center Disaster Resource Center * Disaster Resource Center * Disaster Resource Center Overview * Pests and Animal Disease * Forest Research and Development Forest Research and Development * Forest Research and Development * Forest Research and Development Overview * Forest Recreation Forest Recreation * Forest Recreation Overview Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming to create environmental, economic, and social benefits.

* Agroforestry Frequently Asked Questions * USDA's Role in Agroforestry * Landowner Assistance Overview USDA provides several landowner assistance programs and partnerships to assist private landowners and rural communities. * Disaster Resource Center * Disaster Resource Center Overview The Disaster Resource Center provides information on how to prepare, recover and build long-term resilience during disasters and emergencies.

* Pests and Animal Disease * Forest Research and Development * Forest Research and Development Overview Forest Service Research and Development scientists research the biological, physical, and social sciences related to forests and rangelands. * Forest Recreation Overview Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool Learn about USDA disaster assistance programs that might be right for you by completing five simple steps.

Sustainable agricultural productivity growth is a foundational element in building more sustainable agricultural and food systems.

* Conservation Conservation * Environmental Markets Environmental Markets * Environmental Markets Overview * About the Office of Environmental Markets * Quantifying Environmental Services * Infrastructure Infrastructure * Infrastructure Overview * Rural Broadband Expansion * Councils and Coalitions Councils and Coalitions * Councils and Coalitions * Councils and Coalitions Overview * Definitions: Sustainability and Food Systems * Sustainable Productivity Growth Coalition * USDA Director and Council ## Sustainability Submenus USDA recognizes that conservation by farmers, ranchers and forest owners today means thriving and sustainable agriculture for our future.

* Environmental Markets Overview Environmental markets are innovative policy approaches to leverage funding for environmental conservation on private lands. * About the Office of Environmental Markets * Quantifying Environmental Services * Infrastructure Overview USDA embarked on a groundbreaking analysis on the potential benefits of rural broadband infrastructure and emerging on-farm technology.

* Rural Broadband Expansion * Councils and Coalitions * Councils and Coalitions Overview USDA is committed to working with partners and stakeholders toward the sustainability of diverse agricultural and food systems.

* Definitions: Sustainability and Food Systems * Sustainable Productivity Growth Coalition * USDA Director and Council Definitions: Sustainability and Food Systems Most incorporate the notion that true sustainability must balance economic, social and environmental dimensions. In a global marketplace, supply and demand in one area of the world can greatly impact the agricultural production in another.

## Trades and Markets Menu * Exporting Goods Exporting Goods * Exporting Goods Overview * Exporting Regulations and Policies * Export and Trade Research * Importing Goods Importing Goods * Importing Goods Overview * Importing Regulations and Policies * Import and Trade Research * Policy and Procedures Policy and Procedures * Policy and Procedures Overview * Meat and Poultry Supply Chain * Web-Based Supply Chain Management * Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Interim Field Guides * Marketing and Trade Assistance Marketing and Trade Assistance * Marketing and Trade Assistance * Marketing and Trade Assistance Overview * Trade Data and Price Support Trade Data and Price Support * Trade Data and Price Support * Trade Data and Price Support Overview ## Trades and Markets Submenus * Exporting Goods Overview USDA monitors the export of products from the U.S. through a standard set of regulations and policies * Exporting Regulations and Policies * Export and Trade Research * Importing Goods Overview USDA offers import programs to help American agricultural producers compete against the world market.

* Importing Regulations and Policies * Import and Trade Research * Policy and Procedures Overview At the core of USDA's mission is fostering economic opportunity and innovation that will continue to help American agriculture grow.

* Meat and Poultry Supply Chain * Web-Based Supply Chain Management * Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Interim Field Guides * Marketing and Trade Assistance * Marketing and Trade Assistance Overview Marketing assistance programs help farmers, agribusinesses, and state agriculture departments by increasing commodity production.

* Trade Data and Price Support * Trade Data and Price Support Overview At the core of USDA's mission is fostering economic opportunity and innovation that continues to help agriculture grow and thrive in a global economy. We keep America's farmers and ranchers in business and ensure the nation's meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.

* General Information General Information * General Information Overview * Working with USDA Working with USDA * Working with USDA Overview * Reports and Data Reports and Data * Reports and Data Overview * Transcripts and Speeches * USDA Policies USDA Policies * Departmental Directives * General Information Overview We provide leadership on food, agriculture, nutrition, and other issues based on public policy, available science, and effective management.

We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues. * Working with USDA Overview Familiarizing yourself with how USDA operates can help you take advantage of what USDA has to offer.

* Reports and Data Overview USDA harnesses its data assets to improve decision-making and efficient use of resources, maximize the impact of citizen-facing programs, and provide News and information about activities, policies and programs of the Department and its employees. * Transcripts and Speeches The USDA website provides links to other websites to provide additional information regarding policies and best practices.

* Departmental Directives Search All USDA Agencies Search USDA. gov Search Search All USDA Agencies Search 5. Office of Tribal Relations 7.

USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative # USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative * USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative The USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative promotes traditional food ways, Indian Country food and agriculture markets, and Indigenous health through foods tailored to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) dietary needs.

USDA is partnering with tribal-serving organizations on projects to reimagine federal food and agriculture programs from an Indigenous perspective and inform future USDA programs and policies. ### Incorporating Indigenous and FDPIR Foods: Recipes & Videos Indigenous foods are nutritious, well-adapted to local climates, and serve an important role in traditional foodways.

These recipes and videos show you how to add foraged and Indigenous foods to foods available through USDA’s Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Learn how to make huckleberry smoothies, wild rice bowl, bison meatballs, and much more.

In partnership with the North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), the videos feature award-winning chefs and restaurateurs Chefs Sean Sherman (Oglala Sioux) and Crystal Wahpepah (Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma). The recipes and videos focus on foods in the Midwest, Mountain Plains, Southwest, and Western regions.

#### Cooking Videos and Recipes ##### _Midwest/Mountain Plains Regions_ Bison Meatballs with Dandelion Tomato Sauce & Pasta (Indigenous Food Lab) Chicken and Nettle Pozole (Indigenous Food Lab) Corn Chowder with Wild Plantains & Salmon (Indigenous Food Lab) Cornmeal Griddle Cakes, Blueberries, Groundcherry Sauce, and Mint (Indigenous Food Lab) Mulberry Rosehip Bars (Indigenous Food Lab) Vegetarian Wild Rice Bowl (Indigenous Food Lab) ##### _Western/Southwest Regions_ Chicken Veggie Stir Fry with Manzanita (Chef Crystal Wahpepah) Peach California Huckleberry Smoothie (Chef Crystal Wahpepah) Baked Pear Blueberry Crisp (Chef Crystal Wahpepah) Pinto Bean Dip with Roasted Pine Nuts (Chef Crystal Wahpepah) Bay Laurel Beef Stew Shepherd’s Pie (Chef Crystal Wahpepah) Pancakes and Salmonberry (Chef Crystal Wahpepah) ### Foraging and Harvesting Indigenous and Wild Plants: Videos and Guides Learn foraging basics with ethnobotany experts Linda Black Elk, Lisa Iron Cloud (Oglala Sioux), and Addelina Lucero (Taos Pueblo/Yaqui).

Discover how common plants such as nettles, wild onion, milkweed, and mint can be harvested and transformed into delicious dishes and teas. The videos and guides highlight how sustainable foraging practices can increase nutrition security, promote Indigenous foods, and encourage more sustainable land conservation practices. These guides and videos look at foraging in the Midwest, Mountain Plains, and Southwest regions.

Best Practices for Foraging and Harvesting Indigenous and Wild Plants (PDF, 449 KB), prepared by Linda Black Elk and Lisa Iron Cloud ##### _Mountain Plains Region_ Mountain Plains Region Indigenous and Wild Plant List (PDF, 1. 2 MB), prepared by Lisa Iron Cloud Foraging Phannunpla (Milkweed)") Foraging Psin Sicamna (Wild Onion)") Foraging Wahpe Tanka (Burdock)") Midwest Region Indigenous and Wild Plant List (PDF, 1.

5 MB), prepared by Linda Black Elk Southwest Region Indigenous and Wild Plant List (PDF, 1. 1 MB), prepared by Addelina Lucero Foraging Showy Milkweed") ### Producer Handbook: Transitioning from Cattle to Bison – An Introduction This handbook was created in partnership with Intertribal Buffalo Council (ITBC).

It informs interested tribal communities and Native cattle producers about the process, costs, and factors involved in transitioning to bison production. The guide supports a broader initiative to restore buffalo to the land and help preserve Indigenous foodways for future generations. Producer Handbook: Transitioning from Cattle to Bison – An Introduction (PDF, 2.

3 MB) ### Regional Indigenous Seed Saving Hubs Created in partnership with Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance - Indigenous Seed Keepers Network (ISKN), six seed cleaning fanning mills were purchased and distributed to help establish regional Indigenous seed hubs.

These fanning mills will help community partners to efficiently separate seeds, allow the preservation of hardiest varieties of plants, save time of seed cleaning and separation, provide seed cleaning accessibility to more farmers and community members, expand greater variety of local seeds to the communities, provide different grades of screens needed in cleaning different variety of seeds, and increase production times.

Access and availability to the seed cleaning mills will also allow the communities to build capacity in collective processing, workshops and seed rematriation and sovereignty. ##### _Midwest Region Seed Saving Hub_ Ohe.

laku") (Oneida Nation) Seeds Our Relatives, Miinikaanan Gidinawemaaganoog (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) Bodwéwadmi Ktëgan-Forest County Potawatomi Community") (Forest County Potawatomi) ##### _Southwest/Western Region Seed Saving Hub_ Bidii Baby Foods, LLC") (Navajo Nation) Pikuni Co-op (Black Feet Nation) Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute") (Santa Clara Pueblo) Fact Sheet: USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative (PDF, 314 KB) ## Trending News and Updates Secretary Rollins Announces Continued Growth of USDA’s Product of USA Label with Six Additional Companies Joining Initiative USDA Announces $25 Million Commitment for New Arizona Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility, Secretary Rollins Visits Douglas Port of Entry Secretary Rollins Launches USDA Initiative to Recruit Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and Military Spouses USDA Makes $486M Electric Loan to Strengthen Electric Reliability Across Georgia U.S. Department of Agriculture * Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) * Non-Discrimination Statement * National Agricultural Library * National Agricultural Library * Federal Website Inventory * Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR) * Report Fraud on USDA Contracts * Whistleblower Protection Coordinator USDA on Facebook")USDA on Twitter")USDA on LinkedIn")USDA on YouTube")USDA on Instagram")USDA on Flickr")USDA RSSUSDA Constant Contact")