SweetGrass Trading Company is proud to share that we have been recertified for 2026 as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by the Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (MPMSDC).
We were first certified in 2022 and have successfully renewed our certification each year since. This continued recognition reflects our commitment to supporting Native-owned businesses and creating meaningful opportunities for the vendors we work with.
MBE certification is awarded to businesses that are at least 51 percent minority-owned and operated. For SweetGrass, it affirms our status as a Native American-owned business under Ho-Chunk Trading Group, a division of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
The certification process is detailed and thorough. Businesses must submit extensive documentation, complete an in-depth interview, and participate in a site visit conducted by a certification specialist. Final approval comes from the MPMSDC committee and board. Certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually to ensure all requirements continue to be met.
The Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council serves Colorado, Kansas, western Missouri, and Nebraska as one of 23 regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Its work focuses on connecting certified minority-owned businesses with corporations and government agencies looking to build stronger, more inclusive supply chains.
Through this network, certified businesses gain access to educational programs, networking events, and introductions to corporate partners across the country. Those connections create opportunities not just for SweetGrass, but for the Native vendors whose products we proudly carry.
“We are grateful to be part of the MPMSDC network again this year,” Adam Bowen, director of SweetGrass Trading Company, said. “This certification helps open doors for SweetGrass and strengthens our ability to advocate for the Native businesses we work with every day.”
Our continued MBE certification allows us to expand relationships, explore new partnerships, and bring greater visibility to Native-made products. As we move through 2026, we remain focused on building sustainable growth and creating pathways for Native entrepreneurs to thrive in broader markets. We appreciate the ongoing support of the MPMSDC and look forward to another year of collaboration, connection, and opportunity.