USDA OFFICE OF TRIBAL RELATIONS
The Office of Tribal Relations has many roles serving Indian Country, including:
* Intergovernmental - Leads the Department’s vision to support and enhance government-to-government relations between USDA and Federally recognized Tribal governments;
* Advisor to the Secretary - Provides counsel to the Secretary on policies related to or impacting Indian Tribes;
* Facilitator – Enables tribes, tribal governments, tribal organizations and individuals to access programs and services within USDA and throughout Federal agencies;
* Catalyst – Streamlines processes and develops opportunities to address policy and program complexities, programs and services that support the needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives; and,
* Consultation, Coordination and Collaboration Lead - Directs Department for the implementation of Executive Order 13175, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,” including the continual refinement of the consultation process to ensure robust partnerships that will respect and preserve Tribal sovereignty.
USDA Opportunities for Tribal Students
Agricultural Marketing Service
AMS serves farmers and businesses of all sizes, and the Outreach office supports and serves all of our stakeholders. From our Farm Bill supported grants to organic certification, grading services to plant variety protection, AMS has a lot to offer.
In conjunction with the Department’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach, our Outreach staff is focused on:
- Improving the viability and profitability of small and beginning farmers and ranchers
- Improving access to USDA programs for historically underserved communities
- Improving agricultural opportunities for farm workers
- Closing the professional achievement gap by providing opportunities to talented and diverse young people to support the agricultural industry in the 21st century
- Improving diversity on USDA advisory boards and committees
Contact Information
Email: AMSOutreach@usda.gov
Agricultural Research Service
Outreach and Recruitment
Careers in ARS
As the principal in-house scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has career opportunities for permanent and temporary employees. Being a scientific research agency, many of the careers available are in the life, physical, and engineering sciences. ARS employs research scientists, postdoctoral research associates, support scientists and research technicians, as well as positions in various professional, technical, administrative, secretarial and clerical, and trades and crafts occupational areas.
Your work will matter - to everyday people from babies to seniors; to farmers and ranchers; to all kinds of businesses large and small; and to a future world with many more people to feed, less land suitable for growing crops and sustaining livestock, and an environment under increasing pressure from myriad sources.
When we search for new people to join ARS, we look for individuals with intelligence, creativity, and energy intrigued by 21st century challenges and eager to solve them.
Visit the ARS Careers website at Careers at ARS
The Outreach and Recruitment Staff can answer questions you have about the federal application process and careers in ARS.
Outreach and Recruitment Branch Contacts
E-mail: Careers@ars.usda.gov
USDA Pathways Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers different pathway opportunities for students and recent graduates to work in the agricultural, science, technology, math, environmental, management, business and many other fields. USDA offers internships to students and recent graduates to help them to excel in their chosen fields.
The USDA Internship Program provides paid work experiences for students who are in high school or pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in an accredited college or university (including Home-Schooling, Certificate Programs and Community Colleges). Interns may work during the summer, fall, spring or year round. Please apply at www.usajobs.gov - Students and Recent Graduates
For information on USDA ARS Pathways, please contact ARS Careers at careers@ars.usda.gov or at (202) 720-6161.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
APHIS is an agency with many missions vital to the health and welfare of plants and animals in Indian Country. For many years, we have worked with Native American producers and Tribes to help safeguard their agricultural livestock, crops, and natural resources from disease, pests, and wildlife damage.
Through partnerships, cooperative agreements, emergency training, and other means, APHIS’ teams of experts offer Native American communities in-depth advice and assistance to ensure their animals and plants remain healthy and strong. In addition, APHIS reaches out to teach young Native Americans about agriculture and offers works experiences through summer internship and training programs. This Web page provides a sampling of the many resources APHIS can provide and a look at recent and ongoing projects.
APHIS is also committed to respecting Tribal heritage and cultural values when planning and initiating its programs as described by Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments. We believe it is critical for sovereign Tribal Nations to participate in the development of APHIS policies and programs that affect them. Each Tribe has the opportunity for timely and meaningful government-to-government consultation with APHIS in developing policies that may have Tribal implications. For more information, please see the Tribal Consultation section of this Web page.
APHIS looks forward to nurturing existing relationships—and making new connections—with our Tribal partners. Together we can strengthen our agricultural network and build a future where history is acknowledged, sovereignty is respected, and mutual growth fostered.
Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency Outreach Office coordinates and implements agency-wide outreach activities to farmers, ranchers and stakeholders who can benefit from the agency's programs and services. Our goal is to increase the participation of customers in FSA programs with targeted marketing activities to those who are underserved. Underserved customers include:
Minority farmers/ranchers and landowners/operators (including African-Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asian/Pacific Americans, Hispanics), Women, and the physically challenged who may need, but have not fully benefited from, USDA assistance;
New or Beginning farmers and ranchers (including youth and veterans);
Farmers and ranchers who have not participated in or have received limited benefits from FSA programs that may improve their quality of life, their community and/or the environment;
Small specialty crop farmers, organic farmers and other farmers with production practices that are different from most farmers in the area.
Outreach Programs
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides outreach services to all customers. Outreach activities also include innovative marketing initiatives to promote participation to the following underserved segments: Veterans, New and Beginning Farmers, Women Farmers and Ranchers, Minority Farmers and Ranchers (African-Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asian/Pacific Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics) and Specialty Crop Producers.
FSA has programs and loans to help farmers improve farm income through ARC/PLC Safety Net, Price Support, Disaster Assistance, Farm Loan Programs, Conservation Programs and SBA Disaster Assistance.
Forest Service and Tribal Relations
The U.S. Forest Service established the first Tribal Government Program Manager position in the Washington Office in 1988, responding to identified needs and Executive direction. Subsequently, in 2004, the Office of Tribal Relations was formed as a permanent staff within the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area, to facilitate consistency and effectiveness in Forest Service program delivery to Tribes, and to institutionalize long-term consultative and collaborative relationships with tribal governments through new policy and direction. The current Office of Tribal Relations staff consists of six employees who serve as the Headquarters component of the Forest Service’s Tribal Relations Program. Field staffs comprise the other part of the program, and include the Regional Program Managers, Tribal Liaisons at the Forest level, and individuals in each of the Agency’s mission areas.
The Office of Tribal Relations:
* Provides oversight of Forest Service programs and policy that may affect Tribes, encouraging and supporting respectful, supportive government-to-government relationships that strengthen external and internal coordination and communication about tribal concerns and the Forest Service mission.
* Prepares and implements new and existing policy and direction outlining the legal requirements and opportunities within existing authorities relating to Tribes.
* Clarifies the Agency’s responsibilities regarding Tribal trust and reserved rights.
* Develops and supports education and training for employees of the Forest Service and other agencies, helping them work more effectively with tribal governments and other partners.
* Explores innovative ways to interact with Tribes, Tribal Members, and others to enhance the Forest Service’s service to Native American communities.
The Office of Tribal Relations supports meaningful and significant collaboration and consultation with Tribes across all program areas. The Office of Tribal Relations is committed to help increase opportunities for Tribes to benefit from the Forest Service programs and to help the Forest Service benefit from input from Tribes, in support of Tribal Sovereignty, self-governance, and self-determination, as well as Forest Service goals such as adaptation and mitigation of climate change. The Office of Tribal Relations is initializing and institutionalizing relationships with internal and external partners, working closely with other staffs to ensure Tribal concerns and opportunities are addressed in new policies, and developing implementation processes for new authorities.
If you have questions about what the Office of Tribal Relations does, opportunities for Tribes, the Forest Service consultation schedule, or other information for Tribes, please feel free to contact any of the Office of Tribal Relations Staff members.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Through education and outreach NASS aims to assist data users in understanding and interpreting NASS's programs and publications. To better understand agricultural statistics information has been provided on regulations guiding the agency, NASS agricultural statistics programs, and data quality and methodology.
The following are the first pieces in a long-term effort to better serve NASS data users. This material will be updated and new material will be added over time.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The mission of the NRCS Outreach and Advocacy Division is to provide leadership to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all NRCS customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching the underserved and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners.
Objectives and Responsibilities
* Provide oversight for all proposed program and policy development to assure equity and accessibility by all customers.
* Develop policy and programs that will allow full participation by underserved individuals and groups and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners.
* Identify and address potential institutional and systemic barriers that prevent underserved customers from full participation.
* Provide implementation strategies to increase the participation in programs and benefits to underserved clientele and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners.
* Develop and implement specific outreach activity performance measures with expected outcomes and program results to ensure better program accountability.
* Provide national leadership and guidance on developing outreach plans and to incorporate outreach strategies in business plans.
* Develop strategies to most effectively utilize 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, 1994 Tribal Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Expand and strengthen relationships in order to increase research capacity and contribute to technical and community assistance to the underserved and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners.
* Develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with tribal, federal, community-based organizations and non-governmental organizations to engage them in fostering and promoting outreach strategies.
* Expand and enhance partnerships and networks that provide assistance and information to underserved groups and individuals, and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners.
* Institutionalize outreach within all programs and services of NRCS. Share outreach information across units at all levels increasing the agency's ability to reach more underserved and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners.
Read the NRCS Farm Bill Outreach Strategy (DOC, 72 KB)
Contact us at:
Ronald Harris, Director, Outreach and Advocacy Division
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services
Outreach Branch
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
Office (202)720-2847
Fax (202) 205-0117
Rural Development
Water and Environmental Programs
To apply for Water & Environmental Grant and Loan funding, visit RD Apply, our newly developed, online application system.
Through Rural Utilities Service Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), rural communities obtain the technical assistance and financing necessary to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems. Safe drinking water and sanitary waste disposal systems are vital not only to public health, but also to the economic vitality of rural America. Rural Development is a leader in helping rural America improve the quality of life and increase the economic opportunities for rural people.
WEP provides funding for the construction of water and waste facilities in rural communities and is proud to be the only Federal program exclusively focused on rural water and waste infrastructure needs of rural communities with populations of 10,000 or less. WEP also provides funding to organizations that provide technical assistance and training to rural communities in relation to their water and waste activities. WEP is administered through National Office staff in Washington, DC, and a network of field staff in each State.
Telecom Programs
ReConnect Program
The ReConnect Loan and Grant Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas.
Community Facilities Programs
Essential community infrastructure is key in ensuring that rural areas enjoy the same basic quality of life and services enjoyed by those in urban areas. Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These amenities help increase the competitiveness of rural communities in attracting and retaining businesses that provide employment and services for their residents.
Public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized American Indian Tribes can use the funds to construct, expand or improve facilities that provide health care, education, public safety, and public services. Projects include fire and rescue stations, village and town halls, health care clinics, hospitals, adult and child care centers, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, public buildings, schools, libraries, and many other community-based initiatives. Financing may also cover the costs for land acquisition, professional fees, and purchase of equipment. These facilities not only improve the basic quality of life but assist in the development and sustainability of rural America.
Single Family Housing Programs
Well built, affordable housing is essential to the vitality of communities in rural America. Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Programs give families and individuals the opportunity to buy, build, or repair affordable homes located in rural America. Eligibility for these loans, loan guarantees, and grants is based on income and varies according to the average median income for each area.
Through the program options below, USDA Rural Development offers qualifying individuals and families the opportunity to purchase or build a new single family home with no money down, to repair their existing home, or to refinance their current mortgage under certain qualifying circumstances. There are also programs to assist non-profit entities in their efforts to provide new homes or home repair to qualifying individuals and families.
* Single Family
Single Family Housing Direct Loans
- Purchase or build with no money down in eligible rural areas
- Low or Very-Low Income
- Typically 33-year term with payment assistance available
- Apply directly with Rural Development
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
- Purchase or build with no money down in eligible rural areas
- Moderate Household Income
- 30-year fixed rates. Refinance options available
- Apply through an approved lender
Home Repair Loans and Grants
- Very low income homeowners in eligible rural areas
- Repair, improve, or modernize your home
- Apply directly with Rural Development
- Grants possible for age 62 and over