A Week of Strategic Advocacy for Tribal Agriculture at the Native Farm Bill Coalition Fly-In

The Native Farm Bill Coalition (NFBC) concluded a productive three-day fly-in in Washington, D.C., marked by high-level meetings with congressional and USDA offices and committees to advance policy priorities for Tribal agriculture. 

The Coalition focused on two major policy areas: expanding 638 self-determination authority in USDA programs and strengthening Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) programs. 

From left to right: IAC Policy Director Mai Nguyen, IAC CEO Kari Jo Lawrence, IAC Policy Fellow Calico Ducheneaux, Cherokee Nation Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice, Cherokee Nation Government Relations Specialist Ethan Green, IFAI Executive Director Carly Griffith-Hotvedt, IFAI Director of Tribal Enterprise Steven Shedd, and IAC Rocky Mountain Technical Assistance Specialist Beau LaSalle.

Highlights from the Hill:

• NFBC members highlighted the importance of strengthening and expanding 638 authority at USDA, including for nutrition and forestry programs, in meetings with staff for Senators John Hoeven (ND), Jerry Moran (KS), John Boozman (AR), Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME) and Angie Craig (MN). Congressional staff were enthusiastic and supportive of advancing 638 and committed to working with the NFBC on these priorities.

• NFBC members also discussed Farm Production and Conservation priorities with congressional offices, including those of Senators Roger Marshall (KS) and Steve Daines (MT) and Representatives Frank Lucas (OK) and Ryan Zinke (MT). Producers emphasized the importance of keeping local FSA and NRCS offices open, increasing access to capital, and streamlining regulations between USDA and BIA. 

• NFBC met with Kelsey Barnes, a senior advisor to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. Barnes expressed strong support for Tribal self-determination and self-governance through 638 contracts, as well as interest in addressing regulatory and procedural challenges faced by Tribal producers working on trust lands. 

• USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting, which occurred at the same time as the fly-in, was another opportunity for NFBC members to provide comment on improving USDA programs for Tribes. TAC intends to publish a mid-year report making recommendations to Congress and the USDA.

During the fly-in, NFBC leaders stressed the importance of Tribal parity in federal programs, the expansion of 638 authority, and greater Tribal consultation in USDA policymaking. The Coalition’s message was clear: Tribal Nations are ready and equipped to lead in managing food systems, land stewardship, and rural development.

This year's meetings laid the groundwork for stronger Tribal provisions for a future Farm Bill—and reaffirmed the growing Congressional support for Tribal sovereignty.