By Katie Brandt
Tribal SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) offers several opportunities for Tribal governments, Tribal members and 1994 Tribal Colleges to access funds, including the Tribal SARE Mini Grant Program and the Tribal SARE Professional Development Travel funding. Travel funds can support numerous events including the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Summit in East Lansing, Michigan on April 6–8, 2026.
Tribal SARE mini grants
The Tribal SARE Mini Grant Program provides support up to $5,000 for food sovereignty-related activities in Michigan and Wisconsin. Examples of Indigenous food sovereignty events and projects include:
- Field days
- Farm tours
- Workshops
- On-farm research trials
- Demonstration plots
- Other efforts with an associated outreach component will be considered as well
Tribal SARE Professional Development Travel Funding
Tribal SARE Professional Development Travel funds up to $500 in travel costs for sustainable agriculture educators, professionals and practitioners supporting Tribal communities to attend professional development opportunities that increase their knowledge, enhance their work and develop communication skills. This grant funds travel and registration to events, including:
- MOFFA Organic Intensives 10, 2026, in East Lansing, Michigan
- Great Lakes Indigenous Farming Conference March 5–8, 2026, in Cohasset, Minnesota
- Michigan Farmers Market Conference February 2026 in East Lansing, Michigan
- Michigan Beekeepers Association Conference 28, 2026, in East Lansing, Michigan
- Upper Peninsula Beekeeping Conference March 28, 2026, in Marquette, Michigan
- Indigenous Food Sovereignty Summit April 6–8, 2026, in East Lansing, Michigan
- Mastering Greenhouse Production Farming Online Course
- Other conferences, field days or online courses that fit your learning goals!
Indigenous Food Sovereignty Summit
The Indigenous Food Sovereignty Summit will be April 6–8, 2026, in East Lansing, Michigan. Attendees can expect “a powerful gathering that celebrates Indigenous food systems, cultural resilience and community-driven solutions for food sovereignty.” The summit welcomes Tribal leaders, farmers and advocates. The event will be an opportunity to share knowledge and learn from others while connecting and planning to take positive action.
Source : msu.edu