Dear Family Farm Supporter,

November is Native American Heritage Month! We're proud to amplify the voices of Native American farmers and ranchers, and showcase their resilience and stewardship of the land. Check out this video that aired during Farm Aid 2020 On the Road.

"The first thing that Americans need to know about Native American farmers is that we still exist."

Farmer Hero Zach Ducheneaux and his family raise Black Angus-cross bred cattle, Quarter Horse mares and various grains in Eagle Butte,  South Dakota, on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.

In addition to running the ranch, Zach works to ensure fellow Native farmers and ranchers can thrive through his work as the Executive Director of the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC). Founded in 1987 to pursue and promote the conservation, development and the use of agricultural resources for the betterment of Native people, the IAC is a respected voice on agricultural policies and programs in Indian Country.

Zach remarks that Native people have a special tie to agriculture, as they were the first farmers on the continent. Despite years of government policies that forced them off their land, Zach is hopeful that Native Americans are in a position to regain their way of life.

*Zach is among the many Farmer Heroes we've profiled over the years. Click here to read about others.

Want to watch Farm Aid 2020 On the Road? Now you can: Check out all of your favorite artists in our video and photo gallery. We've also included a playlist of video extras from farmers, activists and artists coming together to discuss important issues in our food system from COVID-19 to racism and discrimination in agriculture.