BACKGROUND
In 2022, Tolani Lake Enterprises was awarded a grant from the Native American Agricultural Fund to expand our Diné Small Farm and Ranch Development Partnership—a multi-partner initiative supporting Navajo and Hopi farmers and ranchers to revitalize culturally grounded community-based agriculture in the Little Colorado River (LCR) Valley.
The project provides training and technical support to community groups and growers to support new and expanded community farms; increases access to capital for community farms and individual growers through mini-grants and a regional funding proposal; advances culturally grounded policies that will increase access to land for new farms and gardens and guide growers to produce safe food and access new Navajo Nation markets; and shares tools so that others can replicate this work.
The Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc., operating under the microenterprise development program entitled, IDRS Acorn Project, has been selected by Tolani Lake Enterprises to expand the grant program and offer these grants outside of the Navajo Nation.
TIMELINE
1. Mini-grant project period April 21, 2023 through August 31, 2023.2. Request for Proposals available on or before March 16, 2023.
3. Informational Webinar on Grant Application Process on March 24, 2023 at 12PM PDT.
4. Deadline to request technical assistance: April 7th, 2023.
5. Deadline to Submit Proposals: 4 pm Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), April 14, 2023.
6. Date of Selection: 4 pm PDT, April 21, 2023.
7. Deadline for Return of Signed Award Letter: 4 pm PDT, April 28, 2023.
8. Technical Assistance Session for Grantees (mandatory) on or before May 14, 2023.
9. Project must be completed and the Final Report submitted by August 31, 2023.
10. Project update September 30, 2023.
ELIGIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Ten (10) awards up to $2,500 each will be granted to Native producers. Native producers include farmers, ranchers, market gardeners, and foragers. Preference will be given to those who use traditional or regenerative agricultural practices, and to those whose practices reflect ancient subsistence practices such as gathering, producing, harvesting, and preserving of plants and animals for food and fiber by Native/Indian/Indigenous people. Preference will also be given for applicants that sell or barter what they grow, raise, forage or produce.
Traditional agricultural practices include methods that are part of respective Native farming culture. Regenerative agricultural practices are practices that build soil health and sustain natural systems. Practices include low or no till farming (only occasional or very shallow soil disturbance); using compost and natural fertilizers (no synthetic inputs pesticides or herbicides); mulching; using heritage or native seeds; and integrating livestock into the farming cycle.
Indian Dispute Resolution Services (IDRS) will award grants directly to producers to fulfill their proposed grant objective(s) and will offer a Technical Assistance session for all grantees on grant obligations including accounting for funds and reporting. IDRS personnel will also be available to assist grant recipients during the grant period as needed.
Grant recipients will be responsible for providing specifications for purchases, ensuring that the objectives of its proposal are met on time and within budget, and submitting reports to Tolani Lake Enterprises. Final report is required to be submitted with photos within 30 days of completing the project.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Technical assistance will be available to applicants prior to submitting a completed application. For assistance with your application or for questions on the application process, please contact AJ Taptto to schedule a remote technical assistance session at 928-233-1669 or
aj@tolanilake.org.
Completed applications must be submitted on or before 4 pm, Pacific Daylight Time, April 14, 2023
A review committee will review applications and notify successful applicants on or before 4 pm Pacific Daylight Time, April 21, 2023. If more applications are received than funding is available, priority will be given to the projects that are likely to have the highest impact on community food security.
PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS WITH SURVEY
If you find anything in the survey not working, please contact Mark at mark@indiandispute.com. We are using a new survey platform and things may not be working as intended. We will make sure to get it fixed promptly.
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