POLICY & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
The Policy and Government Relations initiative executes strategies to address the needs of Tribal producers through national and local education and advocacy. Policymaking impacts Tribal agriculture, economic development, and racial equity, and the program ensures that producers across Indian Country have the opportunity to participate. Further, IAC advances many of its policy priorities through joint stewardship of the Native Farm Bill Coalition, which advocates for and alongside Tribal communities.
ABOUT
The Policy and Government Relations team implements education and advocacy strategies to address the policy priorities identified by the IAC’s General Membership. The team engages in a broad range of activities that include analyzing the impact of USDA and BIA regulations on Tribal producers and providing education and advocacy training to Tribes and Tribal producers, to engaging with federal agencies and members of Congress to ensure the breadth of Tribal agriculture—economic development, parity for Tribes, equitable access to federal programming, and more—is included in policy decisions. Additionally, as a co-steward of the Native Farm Bill Coalition (NFBC), IAC advocates for, and alongside, Tribal communities for the betterment of Indian Country through the Farm Bill.
POLICY BRIEFS AND PRIORITIES
- USDA Barriers Consultation - Tribal Leader Briefing Doc
- IAC-NFBC Priorities for COVID-19 Leg Relief - January 29, 2021
- Biden/Harris Administration Immediate Priorities
- IAC Brief on C4 Emergency COVID-19 Relief Package - December 21, 2020
- USDA Barriers Consultation - Tribal Leader Briefing Document - March 19, 2021
IAC LETTERS
- IAC Statement Congratulating Sec. Vilsack - Confirmation as USDA Secretary​
- IAC Letter Supporting the Confirmation of Rep. Haaland for DOI Secretary
- IAC Statement Supporting the Nomination of Sec. Vilsack
- IAC Letter Supporting Janie Hipp for USDA Dep. Secretary
- IAC Letter Supporting Rep. Haaland for DOI Secretary
- IAC Letter of Support for Sec. Vilsack's Confirmation
- IAC and 177 Orgs Letter for Support for Janie Simms Hipp - USDA General Counsel - 5/24/2021
ADMINISTRATIVE & CONGRESSIONAL LINKS
- Biden Admin. - COVID-19 Legislative Proposal Fact Sheet - 1/14/2021
IAC NFBC ADVOCACY DOCUMENTS
- Native Farm Bill Coalition Letter to Congress on Farm Bill extension -11/21/2024
- USDA-OTR Consultation on Consultations and Barriers/Inequities at USDA - 3/22/2021
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Request for Comments on COVID Stimulus - 3/31/2021
- IAC-NFBC Sign-on Letter to Support Simms Hipp to Serve as USDA General Counsel - 4/14/2021
- IAC Comments on Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis - 4/29/21