Council for Native American Farming, Ranching Named by USDA Secretary Vilsack

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – As part of the Keepseagle settlement, the US Department of Agriculture named a Council for Native American Farming and Ranching on Thursday. The announcement of those named to the Council was made by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. The Council was created to advise him on ways to eliminate barriers to participation for American Indian and Alaska Native farmers and ranchers.

Editor-in-Chief Levi Rickert with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack

“The Council for Native American Farming and Ranching will help Native governments, businesses, farmers and ranchers and tribal governments partner with USDA to create jobs, drive economic growth and strengthen tribal communities,”

Vilsack said.

I was pleased to receive this statement in support of Secretary Vilsack's appointment of members to the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching from Ross Racine, executive director of the Intertribal Agriculture Council.

Keepseagle v. Vilsack was a lawsuit alleging that USDA discriminated against Native American farmers and ranchers in the way it operated its farm loan program. The Obama Administration worked to settle the lawsuit in 2010 and the settlement was subsequently approved by the court.

The Council will suggest changes to Farm Service Agency regulations and also provide internal guidance or propose measures that would promote the participation of American Indian farmers and ranchers in all other USDA programs and support government to government relations between USDA and tribal governments. The Council is a discretionary advisory committee established under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of the settlement agreement.

Those appointed to the Council include:

Gilbert Harrison,Rancher, Navajo Nation, Shiprock, New Mexico

Henry Holder,Farmer/Rancher, Choctaw Nation, Soper, Oklahoma

Michael Jandreau,Tribal Chairman, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule, South Dakota

Gerald Lunak,Natural Resources Director, Blackfeet Nation, Cut Bank, Montana

Jerry McPeak,Farmer//Rancher and State Legislator, Muscogee Nation, Warner, Oklahoma

Lance Morgan,CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc., Winnebago Tribe, Winnebago, Nebraska

Angela Sandstol,Natural Resources and Conservation official, Native Tribe of Tyonek, Tyonek, Alaska

Edward Soza,Farmer/Rancher, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, Banning, California

Mary Thompson,Farmer/Rancher, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee, North Carolina

Sarah Vogel,Civil Rights Attorney and former Agricultural Commissioner for North Dakota, Bismarck, North Dakota

Mark Wadsworth,Natural Resources/Range Management, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Blackfoot, Idaho

Four USDA officials are also appointed to the Council:

Dr. Joe Leonard,Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

Janie Simms Hipp,Chickasaw Nation, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Tribal Relations.

Bruce Nelson,Administrator, Farm Service Agency.

Chris Beyerhelm,Director, Farm Loan Programs, Farm Service Agency.

Members of the Council are appointed for two year terms by the Secretary. The appointees include: American Indian and Alaska Native farmers or ranchers; representatives of nonprofit organizations that work with Native farmers and ranchers; civil rights professionals; educators; tribal elected leaders; senior USDA officials; and other persons the Secretary deems appropriate.

The Council will hold its first meeting this summer. It will work with the Office of Tribal Relations, the Farm Service Agency, and other USDA agencies to improve the success of Native farmers and ranchers who access USDA's entire portfolio of programs to build and achieve profitability in their businesses. Under Secretary Vilsack's leadership, USDA is addressing civil rights concerns that go back decades, and today's announcement of the appointment of the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching is another step toward achieving that effort.

The Council for Native American Farming and Ranching will provide guidance that will ensure that all Native American eligible applicants for USDA programs are served in an equal and fair manner. It will enable USDA to enhance business opportunities for Native American farmers and ranchers, tribal governments and the tribal communities they serve, and those interested in improving tribal economies through food and agriculture production.

posted May 25, 2012 7:30 am edt