Montana State University
IN-49: Innovation C
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
Rose
Vejvoda Project Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
The Buffalo Nations Food System Initiative at MSU is an Indigenous-led program that includes five indigenous-managed plots, a seed bank, and extensive outreach and education so that knowledge and techniques can be shared and implemented beyond the MSU campus. The gardens are filled with native plants such as corn, beans, squash, sunflowers, milkweed, tomatillo, native sage, gooseberries, sweetgrass, yarrow dot, and more. The initiative partners with Montana Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative, a local nonprofit, to promote Indigenous food sovereignty across the state.
Started in the spring of 2022, the seed bank is located in the basement of the newly constructed American Indian Hall on campus. Some goals of the seed bank are to continually build up the supply to ensure future use and to redistribute ancestral seed. Just this year, about 200 seed bundles were sent to indigenous-managed gardens and reservations.
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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