Growing Season is Here!
🌱Growing Season is Here!
If you have one of our calendars, you know that for Lakota, this time of year is known as Pejito Wi — or the moon when the grass turns green. But for our Food Sovereignty Initiative, things have been green for many weeks as they have prepared starter plants for the year ahead.
We’re already deep in the soil, planting seeds (literally and metaphorically!) for a bountiful year ahead.
🌿 In the Owoju (Garden)
Our seeds are started and seedlings are coming to life! We're keeping them safe in our walk-in cooler while we clear the fields, plant cover crops, and prep our beds for transplanting.
This week, we were thrilled to welcome the Wak̇aƞyeja (children) to the garden for three full days of hands-on learning. The students helped start seeds, plant cover crops, and took a full garden tour—all while building a deeper connection to the land and their food.
🐝 New This Year: Our First Apiary!
We're introducing bees into our production system for the first time! Equipment is on the way, the area is marked off, and our team is excited to welcome our first hive soon. This is an exciting step toward creating a thriving, regenerative ecosystem on our land.
🐔 Meat Bird Production Expands
We’re preparing to raise 240 meat birds this season, arriving in two batches—starting with 120 birds on April 28. The nursery is ready and our brooders are built. These birds will help meet community demand for fresh, locally raised protein.
Farmers Markets & Food Access
We’re gearing up for another strong market season with a focus on:
Increasing access to fresh, local produce
Growing EBT sales
Launching a once-a-month EBT-only market
Mark your calendars:
The first Harvest Market of the spring season, our Spring Fling, will be held on May 21st!
We have favorite vendors returning, as well as some new faces lined up! We’re also excited to have a variety of fun activities for families. There will be something for everyone—whether you’re shopping for fresh produce, learning about food sovereignty, or just enjoying the atmosphere with your loved ones!
The Local Foods Capacity Program officially launched!
This new initiative is designed to empower and support small-scale food producers by offering training and resources to help them expand their operations and contribute to a resilient local food system.
The program will:
Provide access to equipment for small- and mid-size farmers and ranchers
Boost local food production for sales and/or donations
Strengthen food security and sustainability across the Rosebud Reservation
Support producers with experience in gardening, livestock, beekeeping, foraging, perennial food production, and seed keeping/starter plants
By investing in these producers, we aim to enhance economic stability, scale local food efforts, and build stronger connections between our communities and the food that nourishes us.
🥕 Waičaȟya Ičaǧapi Kte (WIK) Program Transition
The Waičaȟya Ičaǧapi Kte (They Will Become Producers) Internship Program is an 8-month paid internship that offers hands-on knowledge and support for relatives on the Rosebud Reservation who want to learn about food production and increase self-sufficiency. This internship helps individuals learn how to grow and produce food to increase local food access on Rosebud, start their own business, and supplement their income through food production.
Next Monday marks the final cohort of the WIK program in its current form. It’s been an incredible journey supporting families with fresh, local foods—and we’re excited to share that the program will be transferring to Siċaŋġu Co’s Learning and Development Team in the coming years.
🌾 Next Gen Summer Youth Workforce Program Begins Next Month!
The Next Gen Summer Youth Workforce Program is kicking off soon! This 6-week paid summer internship is designed to empower and inspire the next generation of food producers.
Interns will gain:
Hands-on experience in food production
Skills like canning and cooking
Leadership development training
This opportunity supports relatives ages 18–24 who live within the boundaries of the Rosebud Reservation. Applicants must be passionate about learning, growing, and supporting food sovereignty in our community.
📅 Save the Date(s)
Tour de Rez: Saturday, September 14th
The Tour de Rez features growers and food producers from across the reservation. We will visit multiple sites to learn about various food production approaches, and learn the stories of the people behind the operation. More information will be shared closer to the event.
Producer Submissions are now open! If you’re a local food producer and want to be featured in our 2nd annual Tour de Rez, email karen@sicangu.co.
Siċaŋġu Food Summit is back for its 3rd year on October 13, 2025. We’re working on the location and speaker lineup and will share more details with the community as they come together.
We are seeking sponsorships for both events, as well as our weekly farmers’ markets! Between all three events, your sponsorship would reach over 1,000 event participants and build a meaningful connection to the Sicangu community. Please reach out to wotakuye@sicangu.co for more information.
Pilámayaye’ (thank you) for standing with us as we grow food, knowledge, and community here on the Rosebud. Every seed planted, every student welcomed, and every market visit is part of a larger vision of sovereignty and Wiċozani for the Sicangu Oyate.
