Reconnecting with traditional economies: a workforce development program rooted in buffalo restoration - objective: by the end of 36 months, at least 20 out of 40 (50%) of students will earn their…

The Administration for Native Americans awarded Texas Tribal Buffalo Project a $900,000 Project Grant (CFDA 93.612 – Native American Programs) effective September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2028. The grant funds a hands-on workforce development program that provides practical training in meat processing, sustainable agriculture, and traditional Indigenous foodways to Texas Indigenous lineal descendants. The program will deliver a comprehensive curriculum combining classroom instruction with real-world experience at the organization's 150-acre ranch in Floresville, Texas, where participants will gain skills in buffalo caretaking, land management, and food production. Key deliverables include development of culturally-informed curriculum materials and installation of a USDA-compliant meat processing unit.

By the end of the three-year grant period, the program aims to certify at least 20 of 40 enrolled students in an Applied Certificate in Regenerative Agriculture and Butchery, achieving a minimum 50% completion rate. The initiative also establishes industry partnerships to support long-term career sustainability and reconnect Native American communities with traditional economies and land stewardship practices. This award represents Texas Tribal Buffalo Project's most recent federal funding from multiple successful grant awards totaling over $1.6 million since 2022 across the U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS.

Reconnecting with traditional economies: a workforce development program rooted in buffalo restoration - objective: by the end of 36 months, at least 20 out of 40 (50%) of students will earn their applied certificate in regenerative agriculture & butchery. Summary: the texas tribal buffalo project proposes to establish texas's first hands-on workforce development program centered on buffalo restoration, regenerative agriculture, and traditional food systems. The program will provide practical training in meat processing, sustainable agriculture, and traditional practices to texas indigenous lineal descendants. Through a comprehensive curriculum combining classroom instruction with hands-on experience, participants will work toward an applied certificate in regenerative agriculture and butchery. The program will be housed at ttbp's 150-acre ranch in floresville, texas, where students will gain real-world experience in buffalo caretaking, land management, and food production. This initiative aims to create sustainable career pathways while strengthening connections to traditional knowledge and practices. The project includes installation of a USDA-compliant meat processing unit, development of culturally-informed curriculum materials, and establishment of industry partnerships to support long-term success. By training at least 20 participants over three years, the program will help build a skilled workforce ready to lead in agriculture, food production, and land stewardship.