Success Stories
Jerilyn Graves
Farmer Trainee Awarded Apprenticeship
Red Lake Nation News, March 4, 2022
Jerilyn Graves has advanced into her 3rd year as a Farmer Trainee with the Gitigaanike Farmer Training program partially funded by an Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Grant from the Office of the Administration for Children and Families.
As a successful trainee of the program, 4-Directions Development suggested Jerilyn apply for the 2022 Native Farmer and Rancher Apprenticeship program provided by the First Nations Development Institute. On February 22, 2022, Jerilyn was selected for the apprenticeship.
First Nations Development Institute launched the Native Farmer and Rancher Apprenticeship Network to provide support over the course of 2.5 years to Native American Beginning Farmers and Ranchers to expand their business capacity and strengthen land management strategies. The apprenticeship consists of a 30‐month, self‐directed enrichment program designed to support the growth, development, knowledge, and network of Native producers.
4-Directions Development sees this apprenticeship as an added benefit to Jerilyn’s evolution as a future farmer of the Red Lake Nation; a compatible training path during her last year of training at the Farm Incubator before launching her own farm.
Congratulations and good luck Jerilyn! We enjoyed your sweet watermelon last year and are looking forward to your delicious organic vegetables this year.
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