The passage of the Farm Bill by the U.S. Congress on Wednesday is seen as a win-win situation for tribal colleges and universities.
The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), which comprises the nation’s 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), applauded the passage of the legislation for ensuring greater access to resources and tools. It allows TCUs to enter in partnerships essential for agricultural production, research, and increased agribusiness.
“This legislation will now allow TCUs to compete for grant funds similar to all designated land-institutions under the Smith Lever 3(d) programs, particularly the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) and Federally Recognized Tribes Extension programs and updates the 1994 Land-Grant list to include Red Lake Nation College,” AIHEC’s President & CEO Carrie Billy said.
The new five-year farm bill, aimed to address various core areas including farming, nutrition, conservation, trade, energy, and forestry, was passed 87-13 in Senate on Tuesday, and 369-47 in the House of Representatives.
Other provisions that are included in the new bill are updating McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research program and staring a grant program “New Beginnings for Tribal Students,” which aims to provide tribal students with career counseling, tutoring, and support services.
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