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2023 Fellows Announced

Tribal Agriculture Fellowship (TAF) Announces 2023 Cohort

Tribal Agriculture Fellowship (TAF) announces its 2023 cohort, naming eight new Fellows joining its program on June 1, 2023. This will be the second cohort since TAF started its operations in May 2022. Their areas of specialties range from ag education, ag communications, ag business, veterinary science, and environmental studies.

“With every new cohort that TAF welcomes, we honor our mission of preserving the legacy of Tribal Agriculture,” says Nicole De Von, Executive Director of Tribal Agriculture Fellowship. “When considering the evolution of TAF, I think about having students representing as many Tribes and Native Communities as possible. This will allow our alum to tap into a national network of resources for years to come.”

April Parrott, Program Coordinator of Tribal Agriculture Fellowship, is excited about the 2023 cohort and the opportunities being a Tribal Agriculture Fellow provides. “One of the goals at TAF is filling in those career gaps in Tribal agriculture, and in this 2023 Cohort, we are doing just that,” says Parrott. “Each fellow will be able to participate in an academic enrichment of their choosing. This will allow them to grow professionally and personally in their academic career.”

The 2023 Tribal Agriculture Fellows are listed below in alphabetical order, along with their tribal affiliations.

Kirsten Begay- (Diné [Navajo])

My name is Kirsten Begay; I am a Diné citizen. I am a junior transferring from Diné College to the University of Arizona, majoring in veterinary sciences. I am a hardworking, animal-loving student who hopes to return the knowledge I gain to my community and reservation. I wish to make veterinary medicine more accessible to my community and to educate the next generation of agriculture in the Navajo Nation. I look forward to the opportunities that await me as a fellow!

Greta Gustafson – (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara)

My name is Greta Gustafson, and I am a proud member of the Three Affiliated Tribes: Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara. I grew up in the heart of the Amskapipikuni lands on the Two Medicine River (Naa-to-ko-ka-tsi). Growing up on the family cattle ranch has allowed me to be surrounded by our animal brothers and sisters my entire life. This upbringing created a deeply rooted love and appreciation for all that the creatures of this world provide. I followed this passion by obtaining my undergraduate degree in Microbiology from Montana State University and enrolling in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. I am currently a fourth-year student at WSU College of Veterinary Medicine. I am passionate about serving the wonderful animals of this earth and their people. My goal is to return home, provide much-needed veterinary services to my community, and help build our relationships with our beloved animal companions.

Keona Mason – (Kickapoo)

My name is Keona Mason, I’m from Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and I am a member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. I am an Oklahoma State University agricultural communication major and active in OSU Collegiate 4-H, Swine Club, and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. My main relation to agriculture is raising and showing pigs. I am passionate about the pork industry and still raise pigs with my swine operation, 2S show pigs, for members to start their agricultural projects and donate pork to local food pantries. Working pig shows has been a humbling and rewarding experience because I love giving back to the industry that raised me. In Oct. 2021, I received my American Farmer Degree. I hope to serve in a career where I can advocate for Oklahoma youth agriculture programs and Native American agriculturalists. I’m excited to serve as a Tribal Agriculture Fellow.

Jonathan Romero – (Pueblo of Jemez)

Jonathan Romero is a Range Program Manager for the Pueblo of Jemez- Natural Resources Department. In addition, he serves as a County Committee member for USDA- Farm Service Agency. Jonathan works to enhance tribal rangelands, provides leadership, and assists in extension-like services to tribal producers in Agriculture. Other interests include beef cattle management and wildlife management. Jonathan earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of New Mexico and is currently enrolled at West Texas A&M University in the Master of Agriculture Program. Jonathan is very active in his community and participates in traditional community events. Upon a tribal appointment, he served as a Lt. Governor for his community in 2017. He is a member of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, the Intertribal Ag Council, and Society for Range Management.

Peter Thais – (Saint Regis Mohawk)

Peter is a member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe on the Akwesasne Indian Reservation and is pursuing a Biological Engineering degree in the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University. Peter is an active member of the Indigenous community at Cornell, where he is on the executive board of the Native American and Indigenous Student organization, works as an ambassador for the Indigenous Studies Program, is President of the Cornell Chapter of AISES, and is on Hall Council at the Akwe:kon Native American Program House. Peter was recently elected as a National Representative to the Board of Directors of the American Indian Sciences and Engineering Society (AISES).

Bailey Tom – (Diné [Navajo])

My name is Bailey Lasalle Tom. My tribal affiliation is Diné (Navajo). I graduated from New Mexico State University spring of 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business and agriculture economics. I will attend the Timmerman Feedyard Management Internship this coming summer and fall. After completing the internship, I plan to continue my education at Texas A&M University, pursuing a master’s in agriculture business. In the future, I would love to produce nutritional beef while enhancing Native beef production. Potentially open a meat processing plant on the Navajo Nation that will serve the reservation and the region. At some point in my life, I would love to become a teacher to inspire young individuals to be in agriculture.

Matea Whittington (Choctaw-Apache Tribe)

“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave”- Dakota proverb.

I’m Matea Whittington, a 2023 honor graduate of Zwolle High School, with my faith, family, friends, heritage & love for agriculture. I have had the honor of being an active member of my community & tribe. 9 years enrolled in 4-H & 2 years in FFA have opened the doors for several agriculture opportunities. This year I’ve been honored to serve as a Northwest Louisiana Agriculture Ambassador, ZHS 4-H Club President, Sabine Parish 4-H Jr. Leader President & 2022-2023 Miss Sabine Parish 4-H. I am a member of the Choctaw Apache Tribe of Ebarb, where I serve as the Sr. Tribal Princess & Chairman of the Rising Sun Youth Group. I am a St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Youth Group member and serve on the Diocesan Youth Advisory Council. For nine years, I’ve been a part of Girl Scouts, and I’ve been able to work hands-on and interact even more in my community. These organizations have taught me many life lessons & skills, and I’ve made life-long relationships. I will attend Southern Arkansas University in the fall, majoring in Agriculture Education. After graduation, I aim to work for the Intertribal Agriculture Council & the USDA.

Cynthia Wilson – (Diné [Navajo])

Cynthia Wilson is a tribal member of the Navajo Nation, born and raised in Monument Valley, UT. She holds a Master of Science in Nutrition from the University of Utah and is a first-year Ph.D. student at UC Berkeley in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. Her research interests include indigenous food, water, land, ontological environmentalism, and indigenous political ecology in social science. She is also a Castanea Fellow among community food justice leaders and a Native and Indigenous Rights Fellow for the Harvard Divinity School.

To stay updated with the latest TAF news, visit taffellows.org or follow Tribal Agriculture Fellowship on social media @taffellows on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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The Native Agriculture Education Fellowship Program (NAEFP) awards fellowships to Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawai’ian students pursuing technical, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in agriculture to strengthen the flow of Indigenous professionals into tribal agriculture. The Tribal Agriculture Fellowship is sponsored by leading Native agriculture industry groups, including Native American Agriculture Fund, Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, Farmer Mac, John Deere, and Farm Credit.

2022-23 Tribal Agriculture Fellowship Annual Report

The Tribal Agriculture Fellowship released its 2022-23 Annual Report. The report includes a brief overview of TAF’s first year of operation and highlights each student in the inaugural cohort. To view the annual report, click here.

2022 Cohort of Tribal Agriculture Fellows Awarded

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 8, 2022

2022 Cohort of Tribal Agriculture Fellows Awarded

The Tribal Agriculture Fellowship (TAF) Program selects the inaugural class of fellows. Ten students were awarded fellowships to advance their education and careers in an agriculture-related field. TAF is a fellowship program dedicated solely to supporting the educational and professional development of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students pursuing technical, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in agriculture.

“Our first cohort of TAFellows is an exceptional group of students with inspirational goals in the field of agriculture. At TAF we want to support the next generation of indigenous agricultural leaders no matter what area of agriculture they are interested in pursuing. This cohort is comprised of educators, scientists, lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and cultural knowledge keepers all with the ultimate goal of fostering sustainability within tribal and indigenous communities,” says Nicole DeVon, Executive Director of TAF.

The 2022 Fall Cohort of TAFellows includes:

Marquel Begay (Dine’ [Navajo]), Graduate Student, Ecology, Management, and Restoration of Rangelands, University of Arizona
Nicole Benally (Navajo), Graduate Student, Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of Montana
Maddylon Burris (Chickasaw), CTE, Agriculture Education, Redlands Community College
Carson Capps (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), Undergraduate, Agribusiness, Oklahoma State University
Jaelyn Dove (Lumbee), Undergraduate, Animal Science, North Carolina State University
Henry Hainzinger (Osage), CTE, Truck Technician/Diesel Mechanic, Oklahoma State University-Institute of Technology
Gina McGuire (ʻŌiwi [Native Hawaiian]), Graduate, Geography and Environment: Indigenous Geographies of Wellness, University of Hawai’i
Santana Nez (Navajo), Graduate, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona
Justina Slim (Navajo), Undergraduate, Animal Science, and Agriculture Business, Colorado State University
Brendan Walker (Navajo), Graduate, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona

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The Native Agriculture Education Fellowship Program Announces New Executive Director

The Native Agriculture Education Fellowship Program (NAEFP) appointed Nicole DeVon as Executive Director to oversee the Tribal Agriculture Fellowship for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students studying agriculture and related fields. Nicole DeVon is a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe and was born and raised in Washington State.

DeVon previously held the role of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Tribal Affairs Manager for the Family Support Division of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. She has over 20 years of experience in Native education, having worked with Native students from Headstart to College. Before working at DCFS, DeVon was at Eastern Washington University, where she served as a coordinator for American Indian student programs and later as the inaugural Director of Native American Affairs and Tribal Liaison to the President of Eastern Washington University. There she led the Lucy Covington Initiative, a partnership with Covington’s family and the Colville Confederated Tribes to honor the legacy of Lucy Covington, a tribal rights activist, and rancher who worked tirelessly to preserve tribal sovereignty and self-determination while uplifting the next generation of Native leaders through mentorship.

“Nicole’s passion for working with Native students and experience building programs that help Native people thrive through education will make her an exceptional leader to advance opportunities in agriculture through developing a robust network of Indigenous agriculture professionals,” says NAEFP Board President Karli Moore.

“As the Tribal Agriculture Fellowship develops, it must be embedded into our Indigenous communities. We are working to create sustainable networks and build pathways to pursue further education in diverse areas of study, such as agribusiness, science, research, and land stewardship. We start by engaging with students to connect their educational endeavors to community, culture, and identity,” says Nicole DeVon.

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