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You are here: Home » Policy Issues » Land & Natural Resources » Agriculture Agriculture
Agriculture has been the second leading employer in Indian Country, and is the backbone of the economy for about 230 tribes. According ot a 2002 report, American Indians operated 56.8 million acres of land and sold $1.64 billion of agricultural products, including $781 million of crops and $857 million of livestock. 2007 Farm Bill Reauthorization
The Farm Bill of 2002 was up for reauthorization in 2007. The bill, which shapes farm policy, deals with a number of areas of great importance to tribes, including:nutrition, conservation, forestry, energy and rural development. Agriculture is a vital part of tribal economies, and is the backbone for nearly 230 tribes.With a heightened awareness of natural resource management and development,agriculture policy reaches into many areas of interest to tribes.
NCAI convened a working group to establish tribal priorities for the Farm Bill reauthorization,including the need to improve food distribution programs, access to USDA loans,and USDA outreach on Indian reservations. To broaden the scope of our work,NCAI also partnered with other minority groups as a part of the ‘Food and Farm Policy Diversity Initiative” to advocate the need for improved service to minority farmers.
NCAI monitored progress of the bill and worked with appropriate committee members to include tribal provisions, which were supported in a bi-partisan manner in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
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