Trey Blackhawk

Winnebago Tribe

Trey is first and foremost a husband and a father to three children. He is a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and is currently the Farm Manager for the Winnebago Tribal Farm, specializing in fruit and vegetable production.

Trey is pursuing a degree in Applied Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a former student ambassador for the American Indian College Fund, USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program recipient and intern, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers apprentice with the First Nations Development Institute, and a UNL Changemaker recipient. He also serves on the Food Sovereignty Taskforce and the Wildlife & Parks Commission for the Winnebago Tribe. In his free time, he forages, hunts and fishes, but you can find him spending most of his time at home with his family enjoying the outdoors.

Kyle Chavis

Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina

Kyle graduated from North Carolina State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education and a minor in Animal Science. Soon after he began working as a high school agricultural teacher, teaching horticulture and an introductory agricultural science course. He also serves as an advisor for his local FFA Chapter.

In 2024 he decided to pursue his master’s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education. Which he hopes to continue teaching in high school agriculture and making a positive impact on the lives of his students.

“I am honored to be a part of the Tribal Agriculture Fellowship, and I look forward to strengthening my abilities and learning new ways to teach and motivate my students in the field of agriculture.”

Sydney Ivey

Coharie Tribe

Sydney Ivey was born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She is an undergraduate at North Carolina State University majoring in Agricultural Business Management with a minor in Agricultural Entrepreneurship.

“I am passionate about advocating for the agricultural industry and teaching others its importance. I have always been interested in learning and sharing my history with others. I think it’s important to recognize the impact Native Americans have in the agricultural industry.

I aim to work in the industry and inspire others to do the same. I want to help recognize the Native Americans in the industry and the ones who laid the foundations for us today.”

Kristy Kinlicheenie

Diné [Navajo] Citizen

“Ya’ah’teeh, my name is Kristy Kinlicheenie, and I am part of the Navajo tribe from Northern Arizona. I am Honaghaahnii, born in Tlogi; my maternal grandfather is Tlizilani, and my paternal grandfather is Ta’neeszahnii. I am from Hunters Point, Arizona, where I reside with my husband Korwin and our two sons Kasen and Taylor. I have had the privilege of working with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension since 2016. My primary focus within extension is agriculture, the 4-H program, and other youth development areas. I started my educational career at a tribal college called Navajo Technical University, where I obtained an Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology in 2012. After, I received a Bachelor of Science in Equine Science from Colorado State University in 2015.

Recently, I received my Master of Science in Agriculture Extension Education from the University of Arizona in 2021. I am pursuing my doctoral degree at Texas Tech University, focusing on agriculture education. I have a passion for teaching within our Native communities about everything involving extension, which includes 4-H, gardening, agriculture education, livestock education, and higher education. My goal is to give Native American youth and communities the opportunity and confidence to seek higher education and apply knowledge learned to improve their agriculture endeavors.”

Bree Lameman

Diné from Shiprock, Navajo Nation

Breanna Lameman is a first-year PhD student at the University of Arizona in the health behaviors health promotion program with a focus in Indigenous food, water, & energy systems.

“I am Diné from Shiprock, Navajo Nation. My life’s work and passion are grounded in the land, family values, Diné cultural teachings and the language, and life experience. I grew up caring for the land at a young age by reclaiming and revitalizing traditional agricultural techniques, ultimately leading to a relationship with food and our ancestral foodways.

With that relationship and understanding, my role as a farmer, community member, relative, and aunty made me understand the interconnectedness and importance of our ancestral foods, the land, the water, the animals, and our people. My research focus is Indigenous food sovereignty, food security, and hydroponics.”

Keona Mason

Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma

Keona Mason is a member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma from Tishomingo, Oklahoma. She is a spring 2024 graduate of Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and currently works for Oklahoma 4-H.

She plans to remain at Oklahoma State University to receive her master’s degree in agricultural communications, where she will serve as a graduate teaching assistant for the agricultural communications writing and editing course. She hopes to serve in a career where she can advocate for agriculturalists and continue her swine operation, 2S Showpigs.

Peyton McMillan

Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina

“My name is Peyton McMillan. I am a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. I graduated from North Carolina State University in Spring of 2024 with Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology and Crop and Soil Sciences with a minor in Agriculture Business Management.

I plan to continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree in Crop and Soil Sciences. My focus on innovative, sustainable Farming directly results from my desire to save our Earth and my people and educate others on the magnitude of working toward this one goal. With a Crop and Soil Sciences master’s degree, I can embark upon a career that would benefit me and my community. I would be working with the primary goal of making our Earth more sustainable for future generations.

Upon completion of my graduate degree, I intend to return to my native community to use my education to improve some of our farming practices for the preservation of our land and other natural resources.”

Davin Mendez

Mescalero Apache Tribe

Davin Mendez is from the Pueblo Of Acoma and the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Davin is a recent graduate of Tularosa High School, located in Tularosa, New Mexico. Davin has a deep-rooted connection to the land and a passion for sustainable agriculture and rangeland management.

Growing up, Davin developed a profound respect for the environment and an interest in traditional knowledge and modern agricultural practices. In addition to his interests, Davin worked as a student intern for the Mescalero Apache Tribal Natural Resources Department. Davin has also had the honor of being involved in Mescalero’s 4-H club for seven years and has had the opportunity to gain experience and compete in showing market beef.

In the fall, Davin will attend New Mexico State University to seek a degree in Rangeland Science. He hopes one day to return to both his tribal communities to help promote and preserve the legacy of agriculture.

Kimberlynnibah Yazzie

Diné [Navajo] Citizen

“My name is Kimberlynnibah Yazzie. I am a tribal member of the Navajo Nation. I am Bita’hnii (Within his Cover Clan) and was born for Ashiihii (Salt People Clan). I am pursuing an undergraduate degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Pre-Vet at Oklahoma State University in the Ferguson College of Agriculture.

I chose this major because veterinary care has always been my passion, and I grew up in a sheep and cattle operation. I plan to get a doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine and be able to provide services to tribal and non-tribal communities. I would also like to provide career shadowing services to students who want to pursue a career in the veterinary field.

I am a Student Success Leader for the Ferguson College of Ag in the Multicultural Program. I will be a summer intern at the United States Meat and Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska, working with sheep and cattle management. My personality reflects my culture, traditional teachings, and family values, and I can’t wait to share and serve as a Tribal Agriculture Fellow.”