This $165,331 federal Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the STEM Education (CFDA 47.076) program supports a research study conducted by Cankdeska Cikana Community College, also known as Little Hoop Community College. The study aims to evaluate the impact of microbial inoculants on the yield of Lakota winter squash when companion planted with Hidatsa red beans, which are culturally important crops for the Spirit Lake Nation. The project directly addresses NSF's goals of increasing STEM instructional and research capacities at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to provide educational and career opportunities for indigenous students. The comprehensive data gathered on the plants' photosynthesis rates and overall health under varying soil inoculant conditions will advance knowledge on sustainable agriculture practices and plant-microbe interactions. This research has strong potential to inform the Spirit Lake Nation's efforts to promote food sovereignty.
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