USDA offers a variety of programs and services that are available to Tribal Governments, Tribal communities and organizations, and individual Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) is dedicated to ensuring that Tribes have relevant information on the programs and services available at USDA. If you need information on a program that is not listed please contact the USDA OTR
Rural Development financial programs help Tribal communities with essential public facilities and services such as water and sewer systems, electric and telephone service, housing and health care, as well as economic development.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil and Water Conservation Districts on Tribal lands assist Native communities in managing competing interests for environmental resources.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) assists American agricultural producers in stabilizing their farm income, helps farmers conserve land and water resources, provides credit to existing, beginning, or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain credit elsewhere, and helps farm operations recover from the effects of disasters.
Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program, administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), conducts education programs on Indian reservations and Tribal jurisdictions through partnerships with the 1862 Land-Grant institutions.
USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded grants to 32 tribal colleges and universities, providing Native American communities with greater access to agricultural research, education and extension.
WIC Program. USDA works with more than 34 Tribes to provide specific supplemental foods, nutrition counseling, and access to health services to low-income women, infants, and children with high nutritional risk.
The Forest Service is working with Indian Tribes through government-to-government relationships to manage the resources entrusted to their care.
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service works with Tribes to improve food safety practices in animal slaughter, and in meat processing for wholesale, retail, and home consumption.
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works with Tribes to control foreign diseases like exotic Newcastle disease, and domestic disease issues like rabies in feral dogs.
