Additional Resources

In addition to the resources provided in this toolkit, there are many other sources of other informative resources. Please feel free to explore this information below and in this table.

First Nations Development Institute

First Nations Development Institute (FNDI) improves economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance & training, advocacy & policy, and direct financial grants in five key areas:

Achieving Native Financial Empowerment
Investing in Native Youth
Strengthening Tribal & Community Institutions
Advancing Household & Community Asset-Building Strategies
Nourishing Native Foods & Health

First Nations Development Institute recognizes that accessing healthy food is a challenge for many Native American children and families. Without access to healthy food, a nutritious diet and good health are out of reach. To increase access to healthy food, First Nations support tribes and Native communities as they build sustainable food systems that improve health, strengthen food security and increase the control over Native agriculture and food systems. First Nations provides this assistance in the form of financial and technical support, including training materials, to projects that address agriculture and food sectors in Native communities.

First Nations also undertakes research projects that build the knowledge and understanding of Native agriculture and food systems issues. They also inform Native communities about innovative ideas and best practices. First Nations also participates in policy forums that help develop legislative and regulatory initiatives within this sector. First Nations supports a regional and national network of Native food sector and related organizations.

Website: http://firstnations.org/

Native Food Systems Resource Center

The Native Food Systems Resource Center (NAFSI) is an initiative of First Nations Development Institute. An extension of First Nation’s Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative, the Native Food Systems Resource Center offers resources for communities, producers, and consumers in regards to food sovereignty.

Some of the resources NAFSI has to offer include:

Engaging your community
Farm to school
Collaboration with federal government
Food handling/safety
Seed saving
Marketing and financial guidance

Website: http://www.nativefoodsystems.org/

Farm to Table New Mexico

Farm to Table enhances marketing opportunities for farmers, encourages family farming, farmers’ markets and the preservation of agricultural traditions, informs public policy, and furthers understanding of the links between farming, food, health and local economies.

Some of the resources NAFSI has to offer include:

Engaging your community
Farm to school
Collaboration with federal government
Food handling/safety
Seed saving
Marketing and financial guidance

Farm to Table offers various programs to get your produce from the field to the consumer including farm to school, farm to cafeteria, farm to restaurant, etc. Visit Farm to Table’s Programs tab on the website for additional New Mexico resources for farmers and ranchers.

Website: http://www.farmtotablenm.org/

NMSU Cooperative Extension Service

NMSU Cooperative Extension Service provides “expert answers for everyday questions” in areas including: economic development; energy and water; farm and ranch; health and family wellbeing, yard and garden; natural resources; 4-H youth development and multimedia video and apps. Click here to locate your county extension office.

Website: http://extension.nmsu.edu/

Indian Livestock Days

Indian Livestock Days began in the 1970's and was initially called All Indian Livestock School. It was discontinued in 1978 and reestablished in 1985, at the request of tribal livestock producers. Originally the event was held in April and hosted on the main NMSU campus in Las Cruces. In 1996, the location was moved around the four-corners area to make it easier for clientele to attend the event. This event has grown from approximately 65 attendees in 1996, to 245 attendees in 2015. New Mexico Indian Livestock Days is now an annual event held in May, conducted by NMSU Cooperative Extension Service.

Website: http://indianlivestock.nmsu.edu/index.html

Intertribal Technical Assistance Centers through the Intertribal Agriculture Council

USDA deployed the Intertribal Technical Assistance Network (Network) to ensure Tribal governments, communities, and individuals receive technical assistance to improve their access to USDA programs and services. The Network helps USDA deliver its programs and services to farmers and ranchers who are focusing on providing local and traditional food to tribal members and improving the market access for tribally-produced foods. The Network supports members of tribes across the United States, potentially benefitting 55 million acres of reservation lands and the communities located on those lands.

Website: http://www.indianaglink.com/our-programs/technical-assistance-program/

Johns Hopkins Feast for the Future

The Feast for the Future Program is an innovative and holistic model program that ensures American Indian children and communities have access to healthy and nutritious foods. Feast for the Future promotes Native communities’ capacity to reintroduce healthy indigenous foods and agriculture.

The program was developed and launched in 2010 in partnership with three Native communities located in the Southwestern United States. The development, implementation and evaluation of Feast for the Future was guided by a Community Advisory Board in each participating community. A rigorous evaluation was conducted to assess the program impact and refine all program materials. The Feast for the Future Program components are now packaged and available to interested tribal communities across the nation through the replication toolkit on the Johns Hopkins website.

Website: http://caih.jhu.edu/programs/feast-for-the-future/

Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a program within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). NRCS provides America’s farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations too. NRCS operates at a national level, but has local service centers to better serve NM farmers and ranchers. Offered programs include farm bill, financial assistance, easements, landscape initiatives, and landscape planning.

The following resource is a New Mexico-specific grazing brochure to equip NM ranchers with grazing tips and techniques. By reviewing the brochure on a small acerage grazing, the owner can properly care for his or her animal(s) by understanding feed requirements, conserving soil, protecting plant condition and ecological diversity, maintaining or improving wildlife habitat, and increasing property values.

View the grazing document here: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs144p2_068186.pdf

National Website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/

New Mexico Website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/nm/home/

View additional resources in this table.