Youth summits create engaging experiences for Indigenous youth to reclaim connections to food, land, and culture—and dream about the future. Newman’s Own Foundation grantee partner Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative’s hosts an annual Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit offering immersive learning, leadership development, and cultural connection. This year, future Indigenous agriculturists from 29 Tribal Nations attended the transformational summit to explore future career paths in agriculture.
Hosted by the University of Arkansas, the 11th Annual Summit featured:
- Five specialized tracks: Agriculture Law and Policy, Animal Science, Agriculture Business and Finance, Land Stewardship, and Nutrition and Health
- Traditional cooking and cultural engagement
- Expert-led workshops and mentorship with industry professionals
- Field trips to the University of Arkansas Agriculture Extension Center and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Food Distribution and EcoPark
- Opportunities for connection and fun
Preparing for the Indigenous foods banquet. Photo courtesy of Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
Photo courtesy of Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
Beyond the Summit
Gatherings like the Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit provide cultural education for the next generation and their communities.
Registered dietitians Teresa Jackson and Tiffany Grant of Oklahoma Tribal Engagement Partners led the track focused on Nutrition and Health, emphasizing how these areas are deeply connected to food sovereignty and community wellness. They hosted a “Chopped”-style competition where the students created a culturally responsive recipe or mini-lesson to bring back to their communities. This challenge taught the youth to creatively incorporate different food groups alongside traditional foods. By combining traditional knowledge with modern practices, the Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit equips young leaders to make lasting change.
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