Fresh Food. Strong Communities

Lark worked for two Tribes in Montana to develop a Community Agriculture Plan (Plan) for improving access to healthy, locally grown food in an area with high rates of food insecurity. Key programs and innovations highlighted in the plan included gardening education in schools, traditional food and meat preparation, beekeeping and composting programs, and local food distribution and seed-saving initiatives. Each of the communities on the reservation received tailored goals and recommendations based on local demographics, resources, and community feedback. The Plan provides a strategic, community-informed roadmap to build a resilient, sustainable food system on the reservation, fostering health, self-sufficiency, and cultural continuity.

The Plan was developed with an adaptive planning framework, ensuring the Plan is not a static document while allowing the Tribes to pivot from outdated strategies that are no longer serving the reservation well. It also provides a structured way to incorporate ongoing community feedback, which builds trust and ensures relevance.

Additional Highlights