1. Native American Agricultural Empowerment Program (11/2021 - 10/2023)
Grants from the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) to Healthy Futures serve to assist Native American farmers in the Dine checkerboard areas of New Mexico to become more productive and successful, as well as help to empower their families to achieve healthier lifestyles, through innovative education and community training programs. NAAF is the largest philanthropic organization devoted solely to serving the Native American farming and ranching community.
2. Specialty Crops Block Grant - NMSU (03/2022-09/2023)
Education and Training for Socially-disadvantaged Young Native American
Farmers
Healthy Futures, in collaboration with indigenous agricultural partners, will address
the long-standing inequities faced by socially disadvantaged Native American
youth who want to become more skilled and empowered as farmers. This program will address these
inequities and unmet needs in collaboration with other indigenous farmers,
non-government organizations, or non-profits of the Navajo Nation (Dine). They
have demonstrated and possess community trust, farm expertise and the desire to
work with the Healthy Futures team to help recruit, mentor and train sixty (60)
socially disadvantaged young Native American youth to become more skilled and
proficient as farmers over the grant period.
3. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (03/2023 - 02/2024)
Enhancing and Empowering the Agricultural Skill
Sets of Indigenous Farmers, Gardeners and Youth in New Mexico’s Native American
Communities
Healthy
Futures will offer participants in the targeted communities of Jemez Pueblo, Manuelito Chapter, and Shiprock, innovative agricultural production strategies and
technical assistance to carry out innovation protocols, as well as providing
seeds, tools and relevant supplies to protect their gardens from invasive pests,
improve soil, by helping farmers select the appropriate soil amendments, based on
soil testing results, the benefits of using improved record-keeping strategies and
software, and the use of cover crops to improve soil health.
Additionally, providing Native American students with access to academic counselors and faculty from New Mexico State University (NMSU) Department of Agriculture will likely increase student awareness and interest about promising agricultural career pathways. These activities and supports will make a difference in the targeted community resilience, sustainability and access to fresh nutritious food.
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS
Indian Nations Conservation Alliance
Institute for Applied Ecology, Southwest
Manuelito (Kin Hozhoni) Chapter
NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Farmington
Northern Navajo Farm Revitalization Project
Poohnii BinaAA, A traditional Indgineous Farm Collective