Senator Stabenow Announces Over $100,000 to Bolster Opportunities for Native American Students to Study Agriculture

LANSING, Mich. – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced Michigan State University will receive $138,920 to bolster opportunities for Native American students to study agriculture. This investment comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) New Beginning for Tribal Students grant program in the 2018 Farm Bill, which Senator Stabenow co-authored.

“Young people are critical to the future success of Michigan agriculture,” said Senator Stabenow. “This project will help connect our Native American students with promising careers in agriculture – both on and off the farm.”            

Michigan State University will recruit Native American undergraduate students to major in agricultural studies in order to increase diversity and equity in agriculture and provide students with the skills they need to pursue a career. Once admitted into the two-year program, students will have access to faculty and peer mentor support and learning opportunities to prepare them for their careers.

"Broadly, this grant will allow us to enhance agriculture programming for undergraduates. Through multilevel student support, we will provide added opportunities to engage in the field of agriculture," said Christie M. Poitra, Interim Director, Michigan State University Native American Institute. 

To find out more about these funds please visit the USDA’s website here.

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