Senator Hoeven at USDA Tribal Consultation Session on May 2, 2019
WASHINGTON – At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Tribal Consultation Session on the Implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill today, Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, outlined important tribal provisions he worked to include in the 2018 Farm Bill that was passed and signed into law on December 20, 2018.
“I am proud of the work that we were able to accomplish together promoting tribal priorities in the Farm Bill,” said Hoeven. “As you are all aware, this was the greatest number of tribal provisions included in a Farm Bill. These tribal provisions will have a long lasting and positive impact on growing the capacity of tribal producers and research institutions.”
During his remarks, Hoeven highlighted key tribal provisions that were included in the 2018 Farm Bill, such as:
Increased access to nearly $11.5 million in research grants for Tribal Colleges and Universities;
Establishing a 638 Self-Determination Pilot Project to promote greater local control over the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
Forming the Tribal Advisory Committee within the USDA to help drive tribal agricultural policy within the department; and
Creating authority for States and Indian Tribes to develop licensing and regulatory procedures for industrial hemp production in their communities.
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