GRAFTON (AP) - Agriculture officials want to work with American Indians on developing sustainable agriculture.

Walsh County extension agent Brad Brummond says it's a natural partnership. He says tribal history is embedded in sustainable agriculture, which seeks profitable farms while preserving the environment.

Brummond says native people were the first to cultivate corn and other crops, and he hopes others can learn from them. He met with tribal representatives from North Dakota and South Dakota last December, and more meetings are planned.

Brummond has received $22,000 from the federal Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program to start the project.