The Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance (NAFSA) is excited to announce 29 Grower Stipends for the upcoming growing season! Through our microgranting initiatives and our program Indigenous Seed Keepers Network (ISKN), we are committed to redistributing resources and revitalizing Indigenous food systems by directly supporting Indigenous growers.
We recognize that many seedkeepers and growers often engage in this work during their personal time or in a volunteer capacity, often with limited resources. These stipends are intended to honor and support the critical work of expanding Indigenous seed access and sovereignty in communities across the U.S.
Who Should Apply
- Individuals who are beginning or building their seedkeeping or growing journey.
- New and emerging growers, defined as individuals with seven or fewer years of experience stewarding seed that is culturally significant to their community
- Individuals who face significant barriers in their seed sovereignty or grower efforts (e.g., access to land, resources, mentorship, culturally relevant seed, or time)
Our Stipends
Each recipient will receive a one-time Grower Stipend of $3,000, which can be used at the grower’s discretion to support their seed keeping work.
All selected applicants will receive equal financial support. Individuals are eligible to receive one Grower Stipend per calendar year.
This can include, but is not limited to;
equipment purchases
supplies & Tools
people power
Selection Criteria
Required
- Be Indigenous to Turtle Island
- Must be a citizen of the United States
- Be engaged in seedkeeping or growing that supports Indigenous food and/or seed sovereignty
- Have seven or fewer years of experience as a grower
- Submit a complete application
Selection Process
- 29 total stipends available
- All eligible applicants will be entered into a randomized selection process (lottery)
- Individuals can only receive one Grower Stipend per calendar year
Important Dates
- Application Opens: April 22nd (Earth Day)
- Growers Stipend Information Webinar April 29th 10:00 am PST
- Application Closes: May 16th by 5:00PM PST
- Review Period: May 19-22, 2025 (Lottery on May 22nd)
- Award Announcement (Projected): May 26th
- Awardee Forms Due (If selected): June 9th by 5:00 PM PST
NAFSA Indigenous Seed Keepers Network
The mission of the Indigenous Seed Keepers Network (ISKN) is to nourish and assist the growing Seed Sovereignty Movement across Turtle Island (North America). As a national network, we leverage resources and cultivate solidarity and communication within the matrix of regional grass-roots tribal seed sovereignty projects. We accomplish this mission by providing educational resources, mentorship training, outreach and advocacy support on seed policy issues, and organizing national and regional events and convenings to connect many communities who are engaging in this vital work. We aim to create a collaborative framework and declaration for ethical seed stewardship and indigenous seed guidelines for tribal communities to guide them as they protect their seeds from patenting and bio-piracy. We support the creation of solutions-oriented programs for adaptive resilient seed systems within tribal communities to enhance the creative capacity to continue to evolve as the face of our Mother Earth changes.
If you are an Indigenous seed keeper building Indigenous seed access, and increasing seed literacy for Tribal communities, and would like to join the Regional Network please reach out to Mereya Blanco (Southwest Network) at mereya@nativefoodalliance.org or Kaitlyn Walsh (Upper Midwest Network) at kaitlyn@nativefoodalliance.org