WOODLAND, CA - Aiming to provide crucial information to support Native American U.S. Military veterans in the ag industry, the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) has teamed up with the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF). Together, the two groups will work to generate responses to NAAF’s veteran survey to collect valuable feedback that will be used to mold the organization’s long-term goals.

“The Native American Agriculture Fund’s plan to develop 10 regional food hubs throughout the country will provide Native farmers and ranchers with the necessary infrastructure to create thriving and self-sustaining food systems for both Native and rural communities,” said FVC Executive Director Jeanette Lombardo. “As the nation’s largest nonprofit assisting military veterans embark on careers in agriculture, Farmer Veteran Coalition is the perfect fit to partner with the NAAF on this important project.”

The survey questionnaire is framed to understand how Native veterans are involved in food production and agriculture as well as providing insights into the financial, business, and technical needs of these veterans and Native food entrepreneurs, a press release noted. Through these surveys, both organizations also want to learn how to better connect Native farmers, ranchers, fishers, and growers with NAAF grantees to drive forward the mission of the program.

After the survey is completed, NAAF will use the information collected to build on its vision of providing an infrastructure framework to harness Indian Country’s economic and nutritional potential to help recover from the pandemic. All of which is outlined in NAAF’s white paper, Reimagining Native Food Economies.

“Native Americans serve in the U.S. Armed Forces at one of the highest rates compared to other ethnicities and often the obligation to serve is steeped in ones’ traditional connections to our land,” said Toni Stanger-McLaughlin, J.D., (Colville), Chief Executive Officer of the NAAF. “When our Native veterans return, we want them to find healing and opportunity in the land. That is why the Native American Agriculture Fund is committed to assisting Native American veterans, and our first step in assistance is this survey.”

The survey is open, and responses can be completed through March 7, 2022, by clicking here.

American Indian or Alaska Natives who are veterans or currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to complete the survey. The first 200 Native farmer vets to complete their responses will receive a limited edition co-branded FVC/NAAF challenge coin.

For more partnerships from across the industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Native American Agriculture Fund