NEWS RELEASE

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Actions to Strengthen Tribal Food Sovereignty, Co-Stewardship, and Knowledge of Tribal Agriculture Policy

CHEROKEE, North Carolina, June 5, 2024 – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a series of actions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Biden-Harris Administration to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and fulfill long-standing Tribal requests for USDA to better partner with Tribal Nations, and make our overall food system more resilient.

Today’s announcements include over $42 million for awardees under the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program, $18 million for projects under the Tribal Forest Protection Act, and $2.3 million to support the service of Indigenous foods in school meal programs. Secretary Vilsack also announced that USDA has welcomed a class of interns specifically focused on Tribal agriculture and food sovereignty, and he noted that later this month USDA will sponsor its first-ever international trade mission focused on Tribal Nation and Native Hawaiian Community businesses, products and priorities.

Read full news release.