Location: Bioproducts Research
Project Number: 2030-41000-067-021-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Mar 1, 2024
End Date: Feb 28, 2025
Objective:
Over the next five years, based on a preliminary assessment with tribal and technology provider partners, our integrated Research, Extension, and Education objective will work together to define the business, technology, science, and educational directions needed to establish a competitive, hemp-based, bio-based manufacturing industry for Northwestern Native American tribes. This project will provide tribe-private-public participants the science and business information needed to make decisions when evaluating the technical, economic, environmental,and social contributions the could make towards establishing a hemp-based bioeconomy across the region.
Approach:
The production and manufacture of high-value BBMP made from hemp can be an economic development driver for Northwestern tribes. This project will support the development of a regional Native American-led Intertribal Business Consortium (IBC) made up of 13 tribes who have expressed interest in investing in hemp production and biobased manufacturing on their reservations. The Cooperator will assist in laying the initial groundwork including selecting a consortium administrator and establishing its governance and bylaws. The consortium members will partner among themselves and with other rural businesses across the region, and with technology providers, community and tribal colleges and universities, and federal laboratories to identify the most feasible opportunities to pursue for developing sustainable supply chains that link production, material processing, and manufacturing to produce hemp-based BBMP. Additionally, the cooperator will facilitate communication and collaboration between the consortium and various technology providers, university and federal laboratory researchers, and economic development agencies at the county, state, and federal levels. The IBC will function as a chamber of commerce advocating for tribal economic development, identifying priorities, and raising awareness promoting tribal culture and interests. By supporting a Native American-led IBC, we hope to unite the knowledge systems of the participating tribal businesses with those of non-Indian technology providers and public and private service providers. These mutually beneficial relationships will be critical in establishing BBMP manufacturing capabilities on reservations.17 18 The project addresses a USDA National Institute of Food and Agricultural requirement that the Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program significantly advance the bioeconomy and has an emphasis on generating benefits for underserved communities. This project is deeply rooted in the Land Grant University mission to provide opportunities for all people and to equip the next generation for service to help meet the needs of American people, families, and communities with the basics to sustain life through nutritious food for health, clothing, and shelter. Through this project, we desire to restore and provide restitution to Native American nations upon which the sacrifice and contribution of their lands and culture made possible the establishment of the Land Grant University system.19 This project supports both the White House Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy 20 and the Justice 40 Initiative 21 to help confront decades of under-investment in under-represented communities. The outcomes from this effort can be extended beyond the five-year tenure of the project by leveraging Federal investments through the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, American Rescue Plan, and other USDA and federal business development programs.
