In 2024, the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) had once again provided the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Member with $6,500 for grants to Tribal Member Farmers and Producers. In 2024, approximately 5 grants were awarded, and an applicant may request $500 to $1500 for qualified expenses.
Since 2020, NAAF has granted the Ag Department with $21,000 to share (or re-grant) with the community’s farmers and producers. So far, the Mini-Grant has helped 11 Tribal Members start, add value or streamline existing business operations with 18 Mini-Grant awards. Agriculture productions have included: mushroom growing, poultry farming, produce farming, pumpkin farming, Indigenous farming & technique teaching, beekeeping and more.
Thank you to all who applied and supporting our Tribal Food Systems for SMC!
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To be eligible, an applicant must operate a farm type business or be an agriculture producer that sold or distributed any agricultural products during 2023 and incurred expenses of over $500. In the case of a beginning farmer or producer, a detailed business plan must be submitted with application including expenses.
Funds may be used for: equipment, tools, soil amendments, processing supplies to add value to a farm business, or supplies that create efficiencies within the business.
Funds may not be used for: general utilities including animal feed and fuel and where tribal law prohibits the sale of communal resources.
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Applications are due to the Tribal Secretary, by 4:00 pm Monday, April 15th, 2024. Applications may be submitted in person or by mail:
Stockbridge-Munsee Community
“NAAF Native Farmer & Producer Mini Grant“
PO Box 70
N8476 MohHeConNuck Road
Bowler, WI 54416
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Applications will be reviewed by the NAAF Native Farmer & Producer Mini-Grant Committee and successful applicants will be notified by April 25th, 2024.
If awarded, each applicant will receive two distributions of their award: 50% at the time of award and 50% upon the submission of expense receipt(s) and a short report. All receipts must be submitted by May 30th, 2024.
“Without receiving the mini-grant in 2021, it would have been several years before we could have established a high enough mushroom production to provide for the Community. The specialized equipment that we bought with the mini-grant allowed us to increase the efficiency of inoculating mushroom logs by 650%.”