Native Women in Agriculture, a new group aimed at organizing Indian women farmers, is meeting in Albuquerque this week.

The group is the work of Janie Hipp, an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas and a member of the Chickasaw Nation, and Jennie Popp, another professor. The two women received a three-year, $200,000 grant from the Department of Agriculture to start the group.

A 15-member steering committee of Indian women meets on Thursday and Friday to develop the organization. The goal is to have the Intertribal Agriculture Council operate the group in 2006.

About 12,000 Indian women operate farms in the United States, according to the government.

Get the Story:
Indian Women Farmers Unite (AP 3/8)
University of Arkansas starts farming program for Indian women (AP 3/5)
Fayetteville: Pair helps to connect female Indian farmers (The Arkansas Democrat Gazette 3/3)

Relevant Links:
Intertribal Agriculture Council - http://www.indianaglink.com