PPLT Receives SARE Grant for Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative

The Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust (PPLT) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant from SARE Northeast in support of its Indigenous Food Sovereignty Program in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is a producer-driven, decentralized competitive grants and education program operating in every state. Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture, the program is run by four regions (North Central, Northeast, South and West) hosted by land grant institutions.

Since 1988, SARE has funded thousands of projects to advance agricultural innovation that promotes profitability, stewardship of the land, air and water, and quality of life for farmers, ranchers and their communities. Primary grant programs include research and education, professional development and producer grants. Depending on the region, applicants also can propose projects under special grant programs for graduate students, community development practitioners and ag educators conducting on-farm research.

This funding will support the addition of backyard and community gardens by Narragansett Clan Chief Musquant Nompashim Netas (Rocky Johnson). The award will directly benefit families currently participating in the program while also adding new participants from the Pocasset and Pequot tribes. The ultimate goal of the work is to connect the regional tribal communities with their traditions, the land, and each other.

Rocky understands that this work goes beyond food security. “Food brings people together and strengthens communities. It’s a different kind of medicine.”