Council for Native American Farming and Ranching - OTR | USDA
You are here: Home / Office of Tribal Relations / Council for Native American Farming and Ranching
Stay Connected   Become a fan on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Watch USDA videos on YouTube Subscribe to receive e-mail updates View USDA Photos on Flickr Subscribe to RSS Feeds
Stay Connected

Council for Native American Farming and Ranching

"Guiding the Way for Native Agriculture"

Council for Native American Farming and Ranching, in Washington DC, August 13-15, 2012. The United States Department of Agriculture's Council for Native American Farming and Ranching (CNAFR) was created to advise the Secretary on ways to eliminate barriers to participation for Native American Farmers and Ranchers in USDA programs. The Council was established as part of the Keepseagle settlement and is pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.

The Council will be conducted under the oversight of USDA's Office of Tribal Relations, which is part of the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture. The Director of Tribal Relations serves as Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the Council. Responsibilities and conduct of the Council are defined in CNAFR's Charter (PDF, 107KB) and Council By-Laws (PDF, 142KB).

The CNAFR is composed of representatives with specific knowledge of Native American farming and ranching. All 565 Federally recognized Tribes (number at the time of the request) were notified of requests for nomination as published in the Federal Register, as were all known intertribal organizations, non-profits, and community based organizations.

By terms of the agreement, the Council consists of fifteen (15) members (PDF, 221KB) appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Appointments include eleven (11) representatives of Native American farmers and ranchers. These individuals have demonstrated ability and a diverse range of experience in different types of agriculture. In addition to the eleven (11), four (4) USDA representatives were appointed from the following groups: The Farm Service Agency Administrator, or his or her delegate; the Senior Advisor to the Secretary on Tribal Relations, or his or her delegate; the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, or his or her delegate, and the Deputy Administrator for Farm Loan Programs or his or her delegate.

The role of the CNAFR is to:

  • advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues related to the participation of Native American farmers and ranchers in USDA programs including farm loan programs;
  • transmit recommendations concerning any changes to USDA regulations or internal guidance or other measures that would eliminate barriers to program participation for Native American farmers and ranchers;
  • examine methods of maximizing the number of new farming and ranching opportunities created through USDA programs through enhanced extension and financial literacy services;
  • examine methods of encouraging intergovernmental cooperation to mitigate the effects of land tenure and probate issues on the delivery of USDA programs;
  • evaluate other methods of creating new farming or ranching opportunities for Native American producers; and
  • address other related issues as deemed appropriate.

Meetings

The third meeting of the CNAFR (PDF, 80KB) will be held on May 3, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m EST. This meeting will be conducted using teleconference and webinar capabilities. The meeting will be open to the public with a public comment period being held from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. In order to view the webinar you must have access to Microsoft Live Meeting.

Public Call-in Number: 800-230-1766
Call-in Meeting Name: CNAFR

Microsoft Live Meeting Webinar Link: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/aglearn/join?id=CNAFR2013&role=attend
Webinar Meeting ID: CNAFR2013


The second meeting of the CNAFR (PDF, 97KB) was held in Las Vegas, NV at the Flamingo Hotel. The meeting was open to the public on December 13 with a public comment period being held on December 12 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Council Meeting Minutes on December 13, 2012


The first meeting of the CNAFR (PDF, 46KB) was held in Washington, DC at the National Museum of the American Indian. The meeting was open to the public on August 14 and 15, 2012, with a period for public comment on August 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Council Meeting Minutes on August 14, 2012


Council Meeting Minutes on August 15, 2012