Texas Tribal Buffalo Project

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.

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO RECLAIM TRADITIONAL FOODWAYS

THIS AWARD APPROVES FUNDING FOR THE 2022?23 VISTA SUPPORT PROGRAM GRANT DESCRIBED IN THE APPROVED PROGRAM NARRATIVE AND BUDGET.

TEXAS TRIBAL BUFFALO PROJECT WILL CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO INFORM FUTURE PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TEXAS TRIBAL BUFFALO PROJECT TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO FOOD INSECURITY AND IMPROVING THE OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLBEING ACROSS THE REGION.