WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2004 –- Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced several projects to mark the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Celebration of America's First Farmers."

    "USDA is working with tribal leaders across America to support their efforts to bring economic opportunity and an enhanced quality of life to tribal members," said Veneman. "We are pleased to announce several projects designed to assist America's First Farmers."

   The "Celebration of America's First Farmers" honors the relationship between USDA and American Indians. According to the 2002 Agricultural Census, there are more than 24,000 American Indian and Alaska Native farm operators. Deputy Secretary Jim Moseley represented USDA at an event to mark the celebration, which included members of the Federally-Recognized Indian Tribes, Tribal College Presidents, State Foresters, Indian Organizations and State Indian Commissions. On Sept. 21, the Smithsonian will open its National Museum of the American Indian, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

   "Through partnerships with Native American communities, USDA is providing assistance to promote healthier lives among America's first farmers," Moseley said.

   USDA Rural Development works at the national, state, and local levels to provide financial and technical assistance directly to tribal governments, organizations, non-profits, and individuals to help with tribal housing, infrastructure, community facilities, and economic development. Veneman announced that 20 tribal colleges will receive $3.85 million through its Tribal College Initiative Grants to help make necessary renovations and construct new facilities to serve students' educational needs. For example, in Montana, Chief Dull Knife College will receive $187,900 in grant funds to construct two new teaching laboratories and an outdoor learning landscape for the early childhood development center. Since the beginning of this Administration, USDA Rural Development has provided $99 million in loans and grants to support 190 local community facility projects.

   In addition, Veneman announced today that the Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES) has awarded a $750,000 grant to the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, NM, to develop information to prevent obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle for Native Americans

   The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute will collaborate with several other groups: the Centers for Disease Control, Indian Health Service, American Indian Research and Education Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the Office of Native American Diabetes Program at the University of New Mexico. The grant was awarded as part of the $8 million dollar National Research Initiative for Human Nutrition and Obesity administered by CSREES.

   USDA's Forest Service will unveil a permanent gallery with displays of tribal partnerships in the area renamed "The Hall of Tribal Nations" at its national headquarters in the Sidney R. Yates Federal Building at an open house to be held on Sept. 22. The gallery will recognize the long history of partnerships with Indian Tribes in the management of our nation's forests and grasslands.

   A complete list of the selected Tribal College Initiative grant recipients and projects can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/newsroom/news.htm.