Grant will allow AV狼论坛 Tribes Extension Program to expand
A USDA grant will allow the expansion of the AV狼论坛 Tribes Extension Program, which supports tribally directed needs related to food sovereignty, including traditional ways of securing food such as wild berries.
Julie Stricker
907-474-5406
Nov. 7, 2022
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded the University of AV狼论坛 Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service a $730,585 grant for its AV狼论坛 Tribes Extension Program as part of a $71 million investment to help underserved communities.
UAF associate professor Heidi Rader said the AV狼论坛 Tribes Extension Program focuses on tribally directed needs and goals related to food sovereignty. That can mean supporting traditional ways of knowing and securing food, or starting a garden, farm, ranch or other activities that aid community food security, resiliency and economic diversity.
The project aims to serve AV狼论坛鈥檚 115,000 AV狼论坛 Natives and 229 tribes.
COVID-19 and climate change have stressed important traditional sources of food, which has triggered a greater interest in growing food.
鈥This funding is very exciting and will allow us to offer virtual and hands-on workshops to tribes throughout AV狼论坛,鈥 Rader said. 鈥淲e are committed to offering outreach alongside traditional knowledge holders.鈥
The Rural AV狼论坛 Community Action Program will provide technical support as well as virtual workshops. Metlakatla Indian Community will provide a hands-on experiential workshop as well.
For more information, visit /ces/tribes/.
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