The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) in partnership with the Native Farm Bill Coalition (NFBC) will host two virtual convenings to gather input for a report that will inform the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on food and nutrition disparities in Indian Country.  

 The Biden-Harris Administration is hosting listening sessions in different regions across the country. Due to the high demand for participation and limited capacity in the White House listening sessions, NAAF and the NFBC will provide an opportunity for members of tribal communities to participate in an open virtual discussion on topics such as improving food access and enhancing nutrition and food security research for Indian Country. “The Native Farm Bill Coalition is thrilled to partner with the Native American Agriculture Fund to host these listening sessions in preparation for the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. This will be a valuable opportunity to share priorities and come together in a united voice to advance issues important to Indian Country,” says Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Vice Chairman Cole Miller, who co-chairs the NFBC.  

 On the need for a focused discussion for Indian Country, NAAF CEO, Toni Stanger-McLaughlin says, “Our Tribal communities have their own unique challenges related to healthy and affordable food access, but our collective voice makes a meaningful impact to address food and nutrition disparities. We look forward to collaborating with the NFBC to provide an open space for dialogue to elevate input to the highest level.” 

 The two virtual events will be available via Zoom and streamed live on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn on the following dates and times: 

• Friday, June 10, 2022, at 11 AM CT
  Registration Link: https://bit.ly/NAAF_NFBC1 
• Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 2 PM CT
  Registration Link: https://bit.ly/NAAF_NFBC2 

About the Native American Agriculture Fund:

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) provides grants to eligible organizations for business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services to support Native farmers and ranchers. The charitable trust was created by the settlement of the landmark Keepseagle v. Vilsack class-action lawsuit. NAAF is the largest philanthropic organization devoted solely to serving the Native American farming and ranching community.

About the Native Farm Bill Coalition:

The Native Farm Bill Coalition (NFBC) is a nationwide initiative to lift up the voices of Native American producers and Tribal governments to advance a common policy agenda. It works to ensure that Indian Country’s priorities are acknowledged and included in the decision-making process for the next Farm Bill, from farming and ranching to nutrition programs, rural development, and forestry.

The NFBC is a joint project of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, its official research partner.