Intertribal Agriculture Council is excited to announce the winners and honorary mentions of the 2024 Youth Essay Contest, which focused on the USDA Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) and its role in advocating for Indian Country within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This year, youth were asked to consider the following: If you were on the TAC, what would you recommend to the USDA? Young writers nationwide took this opportunity to imagine their visions, questions, and aspirations for their own Tribal communities’ agriculture.
Our top three finalists and two honorable mentions demonstrated exceptional insight and creativity in their essays.
Jade McPeak, Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Jade McPeak is a 5th generation cattlewoman from Oklahoma whose family has been ranching in Oklahoma since before statehood. Jade resides on the same land purchased by her great-grandfather in 1932, just East of the North Canadian River within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation. Jade is a Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizen, and her ranching operation includes raising registered cattle, horses and goats. She is 49% owner of JADE Ag LLC, which is an agriculture-based LLC that deals specifically with show cattle and show goats designed for 4-H and FFA students. Jade has been a national winner in speech at both the Arizona National Livestock Show and the American Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference. She was a state finalist in two speech divisions for Oklahoma FFA in 2024 and was high individual at the NEO Livestock Judging Contest, and finished 2nd at the Tulsa State Fair Livestock Judging Contest while also being named the Reserve Champion goat and cattle showmen. Jade has exhibited champion livestock across the U.S. and has won several speech contests on the national stage. Jade currently serves on the Oklahoma State Junior Shorthorn Board as the Media Director and, in the past, was named the National Junior Miss United States Agriculture. She attends school at Checotah High School, where she is President of her local FFA Chapter, captain of JOM, a cheerleader, and a member of the Oklahoma Indian Honor Society.
Leilani Charley, Navajo Nation
Taryn McCaa, Cherokee Nation
Honorable Mentions
The three finalists will be keynote speakers at the 2024 IAC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, from December 10-12, 2024, where they will present their essays to leaders and policymakers who can help bring their ideas to life. In addition to this opportunity, the finalists receive a full travel scholarship to attend the conference and connect with a network of agricultural advocates.
Alongside the finalists, 36 talented essayists have been awarded scholarships to attend the IAC Annual Youth Conference. We congratulate all participants on their inspiring contribution to this year's Essay Contest and look forward to celebrating their achievements in Las Vegas!