Tribal College Program

The Tribal College Program was established to ensure the Department fulfills the requirements of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 and Section 882 of the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. These Acts established tribally controlled colleges and universities as land-grant institutions. Congress required that the Department develop a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with 1994 Institutions and establish programs to ensure these school and the Native American communities they serve have equitable access to the Department’s employment, programs, services, and resources. There are currently 36 land-grant institutions.

The Tribal College Program does this by equipping tribal schools’ capacities to benefit Native American agriculture, rural Tribal economies, and to strengthen the United States’ food security. To help USDA fulfill its mandated responsibilities, the Tribal College Program staff provide critical assistance to the Secretary of Agriculture with the following:

1. Establishment and maintenance of formal memorandum of agreements with 1994 Institutions to ensure these schools and the rural, tribal communities they serve have equitable access to the Department’s employment, programs, services, and resources; and
2. Development of Departmental Regulations, policy, guidance and procedures;
3. Engage in outreach with these schools, the communities they serve, and the tribal governments that established them.

The Tribal College Program does its work through several programs, including the USDA and American Indian Higher Education Consortium Leadership Group, the Tribal Scholars Program for students, the Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Fellowship for staff and faculty members, the Tribal College Liaisons, and the Tribal Agriculture and Food Policy Internship program.

1994 Land-Grant Institutions

There are 36 federally recognized tribal colleges and universities (also known as “1994 Institutions”, “1994s”, and “tribal land-grants”) designated as land-grant institutions through the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994. For reservation communities, these land-grant institutions help improve the lives and career opportunities for Native students and the communities at large. These schools support research, education, and extension programs that enhance local agriculture and food production.

USDA and American Indian Higher Education Consortium Memorandum of Agreement

USDA renewed its Congressionally mandated memorandum of agreement with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium during a ceremony on February 10, 2023.

USDA and the American Indian Higher Education Leadership Group

The USDA and American Indian Higher Education Consortium Leadership Group is comprised of an equal number of USDA Mission Area decision-makers and 1994 Land-Grant Institutions president members. The 1994 Land-Grant Institutions make up the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). The leadership group meets face-to-face yearly to ensure that USDA programs and services are accessible to the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions. Further, this group meets to ensure that USDA Mission Area representatives understand the uniqueness of and issues affecting these schools.

Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Fellowship

The Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Fellowship is accepting applications now through December 30, 2024.

This fellowship is available to 1994 TCU faculty and staff, 1890 and 1862 staff working with Tribal producers and Indigenous students in the areas of agriculture, conservation, natural resource, science, or community development to broaden and deepen their understanding of USDA and to further advance the development of their school’s land-grant function.

The fellowship includes Tribal high school faculty and staff.

These fellowships target and address mutual areas of interest between supporters of Tribal agriculture and USDA to provide training about resources and opportunities available at USDA. This uniquely tailored experience brings together Tribal high school and college faculty/staff and federal executives to address the spectrum of challenges faced in the development of a well-prepared American Indian and Alaska Native workforce. In addition, the fellowships offer the opportunity to develop collegial relationships with others at Tribal high school colleges with USDA with the goal of collaboration and mutual learning.

Please email 1994@usda.gov for the application and for any questions with the subject line: Terra Preta or call 202-205-2249.

The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program

The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program seeks to increase the number of American Indian and Alaska Native students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines. The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program combines classroom study with paid work experience that leads to employment at USDA. Through this program, USDA seeks to boost the number of tribal college and university students studying and graduating in food, agriculture, natural resources, and other related fields of study, and help build the pipeline of future agricultural scientists and professionals. The program also strengthens USDA partnerships with 1994 land-grant institutions. Learn more about the program.

Tribal College Liaisons

As local representatives of USDA, Tribal College Liaisons work with Tribes to increase economic development opportunities, workforce development, and Tribal and national food security. They share information on USDA programs and services with Tribal college students, Tribal nations, Native American farmers, and local communities.

A Great Lakes Tribal College Liaison position is currently open at USAjobs.gov until Thursday, Oct. 17. This position serves Tribal colleges in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Learn more and apply today.

Learn more and find a Tribal College Liaison near you.

Tribal Agriculture and Food Policy Interns

Applications are now open for the Summer 2025 Tribal Food and Agriculture Policy Internships. First launched in 2024, this historic program welcomes interns to learn about Tribal agriculture and Tribal food sovereignty. Through the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program, undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students will work on USDA agriculture, food, and nutrition programs that benefit Indian Country. The program seeks to develop a new generation of agricultural professionals with a better understanding of Tribal food and agriculture issues. An Oct. 24 information session will precede the application deadline of Nov. 22, 2024. Learn more about the Tribal Food and Agriculture Policy Internships.

Additional Information:

• USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Tribal Grant Programs
• 2023 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between USDA and American Institute Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) (PDF, 343 KB)
• Executive Order 1049 White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native American and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities

Success Stories

• USDA Helps Promote the Power of Powwow Dancing and Career Possibilities
• USDA Helps Tribal Student on Her Way to Realizing Goal of Working in Natural Resources
• The Value of Tribal Agricultural Traditions: A Youth Perspective
• Tribal Colleges Celebrate Land-Grant Anniversary

CONTACT US

Lawrence Shorty
Tribal College Program Director
Phone: 202-870-8035
Email: lawrence.shorty@usda.gov

Lisa Yellow Luger
Deputy Director and Tribal Liaison, Great Plains Region
Phone: 202-845-5646
Email: lisa.yellowluger@usda.gov