Groups Push For Consideration Of Interests Of Tribal Nations On 2023 Farm Bill

Work on the 2023 Farm Bill has barely begun, and those involved in writing it are being lobbied by groups pushing for consideration of their special interests, including the interests of tribal nations from Oklahoma and across the country. 

The Native Farm Bill Coalition, formed in 2017, got their feet wet lobbying for Tribal agricultural and food security interest on the 2018 Farm Bill. 

“We’re at the table,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. said. 

Hoskin said through the coalition, the tribes speak with one voice on what they'd like to see in the Farm Bill.

“Issues like the food distribution program for Native Americans, which is how we distribute food to our people,” Hoskin said. “That’s in the Farm Bill, multiple tribes have an interest in that.”

Among the priorities the Cherokee Nation lists are: expanding existing tribal self-determination opportunities, getting the USDA to allow traditional foods into the FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on

Indian Reservations), allowing tribes to directly administer SNAP programs, and urging the USDA to expand funding for its Meat Processing Program.

Hoskin noted that the Cherokee opened their own meat processing plant last year.

“Our cattle herd is growing, our bison herd is now to a size where we can really make something out of it,” Hoskin said, “and so we are emerging, but I think we have a certain amount of strength, in terms of the bandwidth we come to DC with an advocate for things.”

It helps that state Congressman Frank Lucas just returned to his legacy committee, agriculture, specifically to work on the Farm Bill.

“We know he’s an expert, and a respected expert on farm policy," Hoskin said, “so, having that relationship is meaningful.”

In a statement, Lucas said, “As the contours of the Farm Bill come into focus through meetings and Committee hearing debates, I…welcome all feedback from my fellow Oklahomans on how to ensure our farmers, ranchers, and families are provided the certainty they deserve through the 2023 Farm Bill.”

The House Agriculture Committee, under the new leadership of Pennsylvania Republican Glenn Thompson, held its organizational meeting Wednesday at which Thompson noted the importance ahead and formally welcomed Lucas back to help get it done.