MSU Extension Tribal Extension

Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP)

The Michigan State University Extension Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP) grant serves Bay Mills Indian Community, Hannahville Indian Community, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in the area of community food systems. FRTEP works to build relationships between tribal partners and extension and to leverage the resources within extension to support tribes' self-determined community food system projects and food sovereignty activities where appropriate. 

FRTEP connects tribal food producers to education and resources by hosting quarterly workshops in partnership with Bay Mills Community College's educational farm and offering additional farm and garden workshops with FRTEP member tribes. We co-plan and deliver youth food system programming with tribal schools and tribal youth education programs. Youth food education includes Apple Cider Press Science, Crop Planning, Seed Starting & Transplant Production, Boat to School and Seed Saving. Our FRTEP instructor's office is in Chippewa County on the campus of our fellow land grant Bay Mills Community College. 

Relationship development and respect for knowledge and expertise within tribal communities is the foundation of MSU Extension FRTEP. Based on input from our tribal partners we understand that it is essential MSU Extension does not just do programming for tribes, but with tribes. When we bring traditional knowledge and university research together education is richer, understanding is more whole, and we all benefit by learning together. Miigwech (thank you) to all tribal staff and community members who have and continue to collaborate with Michigan State University Extension FRTEP to make our work possible.  

More information about FRTEP at a national level can be found at tribalextension.org and www.nifa.usda.gov/program/federally-recognized-tribes-extension-grant-program.