Cattle on the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe & Ranch Enterprise in Towaoc, Colorado. Photo from Bow and Arrow Brand / Facebook

The First Nations Development Institute has awarded $250,000 in grants to boost cattle ranching in Indian Country.

The money comes from the Expanding Opportunities for Native American Ranchers program. With funding from the Walmart Foundation, FNDI is helping cattle ranchers in Indian Country boost their management, development and retail capabilities.

"Assisting Native ranchers -- and by association the local food system and the success of larger, related agricultural practices -- has significant implications for community and economic development, as well as the culture and health of Native people," Michael Roberts, the president of FNDI, said in May when the partnership with the Walmart Foundation was announced. "We're expecting that through this project, ranchers will improve livestock health and streamline land-management practices, which will lead to increased economic opportunities."

The four grantees are:

• 14R Ranch Inc., Chambers, Arizona, $62,500 – 14R Ranch is working to engage more Navajo cattle producers in the production and delivery of source-verified beef to the Navajo Nation casinos at a premium price.
• Grasshopper Livestock Association, Cibecue, Arizona, $60,000 – Grasshopper Livestock is focusing on creating a well-organized and sustainable enterprise while practicing good stewardship of the people, land and animals on their grazing allotment. Cibecue is located on the reservation of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
• Point of Pines Livestock Association, San Carlos, Arizona, $65,000 – Point of Pines Livestock Association’s overall goal is to create and retain a natural grass-fed beef operation by utilizing the land resources of the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
• Ute Mountain Ute Tribe & Ranch Enterprise, Towaoc, Colorado, $62,500 – Ute Mountain Ute Tribe & Ranch is working to increase grazing forage on minimal acres by utilizing proper stocking rates, education on vaccination protocol, quiet cattle-handling techniques to create a stress-free environment, and encouraging youth to participate in tribal ranching.

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