First Nations Development Institute Awards $250,000 to Support Native American Ranching Enterprises

LONGMONT, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–First Nations Development Institute (First
Nations) announced the selection of four Native American
ranching enterprises to receive grants through First Nations’ “Expanding
Opportunities for Native American Ranchers” project for the 2015-16
funding cycle. The grants total $250,000.

With funding from the Walmart
Foundation, First Nations’ staff is currently providing
financial and technical assistance to the selected Native organizations
that is focused on cattle operations and building their organizational
and programmatic capacity, which will assist them in improving their
management of natural resources, help them engage younger community
members in ranching enterprises, and expand their access to wholesale
and retail markets. Under this project, the ranching organizations are
receiving instruction and training on improving herd health, improving
land-management practices and accessing new markets.

The selected grantees are:

• 14R Ranch Inc., Chambers, Arizona, $62,500 – 14R Ranch is
  working to engage more Navajo cattle producers in the production and
  delivery of source-verified beef to the Navajo casinos at a premium
  price.
• Grasshopper Livestock Association, Cibecue, Arizona, $60,000 –
  Grasshopper Livestock is focusing on creating a well-organized and
  sustainable enterprise while practicing good stewardship of the
  people, land and animals on their grazing allotment.
• Point of Pines Livestock Association, San Carlos, Arizona, $65,000 –
  Point of Pines Livestock Association’s overall goal is to create and
  retain a natural grass-fed beef operation by utilizing the land
  resources of the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
• Ute Mountain Ute Tribe & Ranch Enterprise, Towaoc, Colorado,
  $62,500 – Ute Mountain Ute Tribe & Ranch is working to increase
  grazing forage on minimal acres by utilizing proper stocking rates,
  education on vaccination protocol, quiet cattle-handling techniques to
  create a stress-free environment, and encouraging youth to participate
  in tribal ranching.

Despite a long history of agriculture in Native American communities,
training resources accessible to Native ranchers have not been widely
available. With culturally-appropriate training and financial
assistance, Native ranchers will be able to expand their opportunity to
produce more locally and to use their resources in a more sustainable
manner.

Contacts

First Nations Development Institute
Program
Contact:
Jackie Francke, 303-774-7836 x202
First
Nations Vice President of Programs & Administration
jfrancke@firstnations.org
or
or
Media Contact:
Randy Blauvelt,
303-774-7836 x213
First Nations Senior Communications Officer
rblauvelt@firstnations.org