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Haskell Indian Nations University will soon offer a new agricultural business degree program aimed at empowering Native American farmers and ranchers.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced the program Tuesday during the American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s annual legislative summit in Washington, D.C.
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“The educational initiative will take place within Haskell’s School of Business, and the program will cover areas such as lending operations, risk management, regulatory compliance, and customer service, ultimately improving relationships with Indigenous farmers and ranchers. It will cover a comprehensive range of fundamental lending principles,” according to a news release announcing the program.
The program offers degree and certificate options in agriculture and finance to give students a deep understanding of the lending processes unique to India’s country and agriculture industry, according to the release. It aims to develop and empower the next generation of skilled professionals with knowledge of the unique requirements of tribal agricultural production and financing.
“We are excited to create new and exciting opportunities for our students and the communities they come from,” Mackie Moore, dean of the Haskell College of Business, said in a release. “Through education and economic development opportunities, we see not only the use of agriculture for basic sustainable food, but also the expansion of business opportunities.”
The program is affiliated with the Native American Agriculture Fund, the trust that administers the Keepsigle v. Vilsack settlement. The lawsuit, which alleges that the U.S. Department of Agriculture discriminated against Native American farmers and ranchers in its lending programs for decades, was settled in 2010.
“At NAAF, we are proud to support institutions like Haskell as stewards of education in tribal communities and are proud that this certification program will help educate both students and non-students who serve tribal communities. We hope it becomes a tool,” said NAAF CEO Toni. Stanger McLaughlin said in the release. “This new initiative builds on our commitment to providing access to capital through community development financial institutions and establishing a new other financial institution within the agricultural credit system called Native Agriculture Financial Services. This will strengthen our efforts.”
Haskell University President Frank Arpan said in a release that the university looks forward to working with NAAF to improve the career opportunities and skill sets available to Indigenous communities and individuals.
“Through this grant, we hope to extend valuable resources in agribusiness and other sectors to Indigenous communities,” he said.
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