Friday, Jun 7 2013 4:44PM
USDA programs are helping many tribal communities reconnect with their history.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity is helping one Native American tribe build sustainable food reserves and reconnect with tribal traditions.
Specifically, the Apache Native American tribe in rural Arizona is using the funds to help establish community gardens and increase awareness of the benefits and availability of fresh food on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. The funding has encouraged 13-year-old Apache member Noah Titla to follow in the tradition of his Native elders and establish his own garden, a move that has been followed by other members.
"Gardening has been a part of the Apache culture for thousands of years, and we've lost the traditional way of gardening throughout the century," said Millie Titla, Noah's aunt. "I wanted to bring this back to the community so they could appreciate what gardens are about and what gardens can provide for their families."
The San Carlos Apache Reservation is considered one of the underserved communities that the USDA's StrikeForce program assists. The program provides high-priority funding and technical assistance to small rural areas to help facilitate economic community development and build sustainable rural regions.
For more information, check out this resource: The U.S. Department of Agriculture