"mAKING A DIFFERENCE IN INDIAN COUNTRY. ONE NATIVE YOUTH AT A TIME"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In August of 2005 , Amanda Jackson, Shaynelle Lee, and Lovett Farmer, three members of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes were approved for a FSA youth loan.  Amanda Jackson, age 18, graduated from high school this past spring and felt ready to try something new.  With her family’s background in ranching and farming, she decided to try her hand in the cattle business. 

In August of 2005 , Amanda Jackson, Shaynelle Lee, and Lovett Farmer, three members of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes were approved for a FSA youth loan.  Amanda Jackson, age 18, graduated from high school this past spring and felt ready to try something new.  With her family’s background in ranching and farming, she decided to try her hand in the cattle business.  Her mother, Wanda Appenay, begin researching for funds to help Amanda get started.  She sought the assistance of her father, Calvin Appenay, a lifelong rancher and farmer on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and AICOI Outreach Liaison, Myra Fred.  With the combined resources, Amanda was awarded a FSA loan to buy five bred cows and one bull this fall.  

Wanda’s co-worker, Rachel Osborne, saw this as excellent opportunity for her three daughters as well.  Her oldest daughter was within the age requirement for a FSA Youth Loan.  Shaynelle Lee, age 11 was very excited at the idea of starting a cattle herd.  Shaynelle has been involved in Traditional Dancing since she could walk and is well known through out the Northwest.  She feels very optimistic with the help of her stepfather Gifford Osborne who has first hand knowledge of cattle and its operations.  With two younger sisters, everyone will be involved her endeavor.  Shaynelle was awarded a FSA loan to buy five bred cows this fall.

As these two loans were in progress, Wanda mentioned the FSA Youth loan to her sister, Brenda Farmer.  Brenda also saw an opportunity for her two daughters, Lovett and Tahnee.  After reviewing the FSA youth loan process, the two sisters decided to work together on one loan.  Lovett currently has one cow and one steer; they though it was best for Lovett to try for the FSA youth loan and Tahnee would help her with the cattle.  Lovett was awarded a FSA loan to buy five bred cows this fall.

Brenda and her two daughters recently visited the Shoshone Bannock Tribal Museum.  The Museum was displaying the brands of the past and current ranchers and farmers on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.  They found a brand that belonged to Brenda’s’ mother.  Lovett decided to apply for this brand to keep it in the family.  It was also an inspiration for her to go into the cattle business.  As part of the requirements of a FSA Youth Loan for agriculture, you are required to have your own brand.

Each of these three girls will be under the watchful eye of Calving Appenay.  He is very excited to see the girls’ interest in the cattle business and is happy to be able to help them manage their cattle operations.  His eyes tell it all, they absolutely sparkle when he mentions the girls and their future involvement in the cattle business.   The girls all have roots to the beautiful Ross Fork area below the infamous Mount Putnam on the Fort Hall Indian reservation where they will manage their herds