In recognition of the need for more agriculture education opportunities specifically geared toward Native students, the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) established the Tribal Agriculture Fellowship with additional support provided by John Deere, Farmer Mac and the Farm Credit. The Tribal Agriculture Fellowship supports Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students pursuing technical, undergraduate and graduate degrees in agriculture. The mission of the Tribal Agricultural Fellowship is to create opportunities for students to advance their education in agriculture, increase specialized knowledge and promote sustainability of agriculture in Tribal communities.
The Tribal Agriculture Fellowship was designed to aid Native students in achieving their educational goals leading to careers in agriculture. The fellowship program provides a generous benefits package that can include up to four years of fellowship status, with funding to earn agricultural degrees or technical certifications.
Potential applicants must be rising or current technical, undergraduate or graduate students and must provide proof of Tribal enrollment or community connectedness. Upon selection for the fellowship, awardees must provide acceptance/enrollment information for selected academic or certificate program.
“This fellowship program is the first of its kind – a fully funded educational opportunity for Native students pursuing agricultural or technical degrees. NAAF’s mission is to make grants to eligible organizations to fund projects that serve Native farmers and ranchers and promote continued engagement in agriculture across Indian Country. With other leading agriculture industry groups, we are fulfilling our mission and creating a joint mission to continue to leverage our funding and resources to assist individuals who pursue agriculture education,” said Toni Stanger-McLaughlin, CEO of the NAAF.
The Tribal Agriculture Fellowship is managed by the nonprofit organization, Native Agriculture Education Fellowship Program (NAEFP). On the importance of having Native students in agriculture, NAEFP Board President Karli Moore said, “Native people have been agriculturalists since time immemorial. The Tribal Agriculture Fellowship aims to continue this legacy by advancing Indigenous presence in educational and professional spaces. Fellows will have the opportunity to grow their expertise and become the next generation of land stewardship leaders.”