Grant will allow Ӱpro Tribes Extension Program to expand
A USDA grant will allow the expansion of the Ӱpro Tribes Extension Program, which supports tribally directed needs related to food sovereignty, including traditional ways of securing food such as wild berries.
Julie Stricker
907-474-5406
Nov. 7, 2022
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded the Ӱpro Cooperative Extension Service a $730,585 grant for its Ӱpro Tribes Extension Program as part of a $71 million investment to help underserved communities.
UAF associate professor Heidi Rader said the Ӱpro Tribes Extension Program focuses on tribally directed needs and goals related to food sovereignty. That can mean supporting traditional ways of knowing and securing food, or starting a garden, farm, ranch or other activities that aid community food security, resiliency and economic diversity.
The project aims to serve Ӱpro’s 115,000 Ӱpro Natives and 229 tribes.
COVID-19 and climate change have stressed important traditional sources of food, which has triggered a greater interest in growing food.
“This funding is very exciting and will allow us to offer virtual and hands-on workshops to tribes throughout Ӱpro,” Rader said. “We are committed to offering outreach alongside traditional knowledge holders.”
The Rural Ӱpro Community Action Program will provide technical support as well as virtual workshops. Metlakatla Indian Community will provide a hands-on experiential workshop as well.
For more information, visit /ces/tribes/.
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