Registration Open for 2020 USDA Tribal Outreach Forum April 14-15 in Billings, Montana

Deadline to reserve hotel rooms at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center is March 23

BOZEMAN, Montana, Feb. 10, 2020 – The USDA Montana Food & Agriculture Council announced today that registration for the 2020 USDA Tribal Outreach Forum in Billings, Montana, on April 14-15 is now open.

“USDA is hosting this two-day forum to bring people together and highlight key resources available to tribal communities,” said Mike Foster, state executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and 2020 chair of USDA’s interagency council in Montana.

The 2018 Farm Bill enacted on Dec. 20, 2018 continues its strong support for America’s farmers, ranchers, rural communities and forest stewards through a variety of safety net, farm loan, conservation, disaster assistance, housing and community development programs. Updates will be provided by leadership from USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations, FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Rural Development (RD), National Agricultural Statistics Service, Risk Management Agency (RMA), Forest Service, Montana State University, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service’s Plant Protection and Quarantine, Wildlife Services and Veterinary Services.

Panel discussions will be held on the implementation of the renewed USDA and Bureau of Indian Affairs Memorandum of Understanding, hemp production on tribal lands and agricultural lending opportunities. USDA leaders and representatives from Intertribal Agriculture Council, Indian Nations Conservation Alliance and Native American Agriculture Fund will also provide updates.

Indian Land Tenure Foundation President Cris Stainbrook, who leads the national community-based organization based in Little Canada, Minnesota, will present on the “History and Future of Tribal Lands in the United States”.

A collaborative breakout session with RD and Tribal Housing Authority officials will be held on April 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An optional “Beginning Farmer/Rancher Networking Session” with new and interested ag producers, ag lenders, outreach and resource contacts will be held on April 14 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Registration is free and open to the first 150 to register. Registration forms are available at any USDA Service Center and at www.fsa.usda.gov/mt on the state events page.

To register, completed registration forms can be emailed to jennifer.cole@usda.gov or mailed to: Jennifer Cole, USDA-FSA 1120 US Hwy 191 S, Suite 1, Malta, MT 59538.

The forum will be held at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. Lodging reservations can be made at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center by calling (406) 248-7151. The room block is available until March 23, 2020 by requesting the “USDA Tribal Outreach” group rate of $96 plus fees and taxes.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact Jennifer Cole at (406) 654-1333, ext. 117 or jennifer.cole@usda.gov or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 by April 6, 2020.

For questions or more information, contact Jennifer Cole at (406) 654.1333, ext. 117 or jennifer.cole@usda.gov.