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Outline of Need:
Flathead Native Agriculture Cooperative (FNAC) tribal producers are extremely proud of their heritage and the existence of this co-op demonstrates their commitment to the blending of native traditions with modern business. The FNAC vision of thriving agriculture enterprises is what they believe will strengthen their sovereignty, land stewardship, quality of life, and economic independence.
The Flathead Native Agriculture Co-op consists of tribal beef producers who were looking to develop value added and branded products from the members' cattle. FNAC has created a brand called Crooked Bow Meats, a naturally smoked beef product that is processed to closely resemble traditional Indian dried meat. The beef used for Crooked Bow Meats is naturally raised and appeals to the most health-conscious protein consumers. American Indian products have an intrinsic “healthy and natural” connotation because American Indians are known to be respectful stewards of the land and its resources.
How Rural Development Helped:
To move the dream from paper to production, FNAC requested working capital funding assistance from Rural Development. The Value-Added Producer Grant program (learn more about this program) provided $100,000 to Flathead Native Agricultural Cooperative for the introduction of Crooked Bow Meats to the domestic and export marketplace. The grant money was used implement an accounting system, refine the production process, train the workforce, design and execute packaging and promotional materials, and hire staff. The Co-op provided 1:1 matching funding and received Tribal Council support for their venture. Additionally, the Co-op was able to incubate their operation in a local development corporation's organic kitchen facilities. In doing so, Mission Mountain Market afforded the Co-op great cost savings when they were first starting production.
The Results:
Today, the Co-op's Crooked Bow Beef Strips are in full production and sales are increasing. Development of additional products is ongoing. Crooked Bow Meats are even offered at the new National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. Distributors and consumers are recognizing the quality product these beef ranchers are producing. In turn, the Co-op is helping the tribal member producers achieve a higher quality of life as well as greater economic independence while utilizing traditional skills and methods. The Co-op participated in an exchange of traditional meat processing techniques with their tribal elders in order to educate and to preserve knowledge of their ancestral traditions. This inter-generational cooperation not only keeps traditions alive in the tribal communities, but it keeps tribal relationships strong and creates job opportunities.
(February 2005)
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