The Ag Department was created in 2016 with the goal of food sovereignty for the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe by growing fresh, affordable produce on the reservation.

From the Earth started as a half-acre learning farm for community members to come and learn sustainable and traditional ways of growing food. In our first year of growing, 4,250 pounds of food was harvested.

Fast-forward to today, the farm has grown to 6 acres with 3 high tunnels to extend growing seasons. Over 13,000 lbs. of produce was harvested that was shared with community through our CSA Farm-Box program, weekly Farm Market, and donations to the Elderly Center, Head Start, Ella Besaw Center, Community Health Programs, and Cultural Affairs Program.

We have been working with community members to track down seeds indigenous to the community. We have been growing, preserving and seed saving from these varieties to grow a seed collection that can be shared throughout the community.

There are seed saving gardens throughout the community to eliminate the risk of cross-pollination, so we can keep these seeds in their purest form.

Part of our food sovereignty efforts at the farm is to help the community grow their own food.

Throughout the growing season, we provide classes on gardening techniques, harvesting and storage of food items. There are also classes that provide lessons on cooking healthy and food preservation with produce that has been harvested from the garden.

MORE INFO ON CLASSES & EVENTS

EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS & HOW TO GUIDES

Plans for future expansion are on the horizon as we are planning for a Food Hub & Market Building will become the central hub for the Ag Department. We look forward to making these dreams come true in the upcoming couple years! We are so grateful for the space to grow and share for the community.