Abstact -the we are all related project aligns various federal agencies, non-profits, for-profit, and educational institutions to create opportunities for american indian veterans

The arise veterans foundation proposes to partner with the pawnee nation college and the nebraska indian community college to train american indian veterans in agri-business through certification in content that emphasizes native ways of knowing. For each of the three years, 80 participants (240 total) will develop individually, or in teams, a project that links to a career in the food/agricultural sector based on their region and interest. Year 1 course content will be plant and soil systems, grassland systems, and insect science. Year 2 course content will be water science, pest management, and rangeland ecology. Year 3 course content will agricultural marketing and price analysis, natural resource ecology and management, and agricultural leadership. Each year participants will have a capstone experienceworking on a regional farm (100 acres). Support for internships, apprenticeships, and service learning, as well as employment referrals, is embedded in arise foundation activities. The arise veterans foundation will leverage current partners to support and sustain these activities, creating a viable, replicable certification program for tribal colleges across indian country.