Indigenous Food Systems Resilience
Indigenous Food Systems Resilience
Connecting Cultural Values and Indigenous Research
The Indigenous Food Systems Resilience project is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Tribal Nations and organizations in Wisconsin that supports Tribal producers, land managers, and communities in their food sovereignty work in four key areas. The project areas include Indigenous crops and livestock, Manoomin (wild rice) research and restoration, nutrition and community food systems, and maple sugaring.
Our team of 39 people collaborates with 9 Tribal partners and organizations representing all 11 Federally recognized Tribes in Wisconsin, 14 UW and Extension units or departments, and supports 3-4 undergraduate and graduate students per year.
This project is funded by a four-year grant (2023–2026) from the Wisconsin Rural Partnerships Institute at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Partnerships in Action
Indigenous Crops and Livestock
- Intercropping Indigenous corns with cover and forage crops
- Integrating livestock in polycultures
- Using appropriate technology for mechanical corn harvest
Nutrition Education and Health
- Planning for food sovereignty in Tribal communities
- Identifying needs and opportunities for nutrition education
Wild Rice Restoration and Research
- Creating a research and outreach plan for wild rice restoration in St. Louis River
- Supporting wild rice camps
- Evaluating wild rice toxicity
Maple Sugaring and Production
- Supporting Tribal producers around maple sugaring
- Facilitating a producer network
- Hosting in-person and virtual learning opportunities
In the News
In the face of climate change, Ho-Chunk Nation working toward food sovereignty
WUWM Milwaukee’s NPR
UW’s Rural Partnerships Institute announces new projects focused on rural Wisconsin
UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) News
The USDA NIFA-funded Institute for Rural Partnerships housed at UW–Madison, Auburn University and the University of Vermont, collaborates with community-based initiatives and local research, educational institutions and subject matter experts.
