Rooted Wisdom: Exploring Tribal Agriculture

In this episode of Rooted Wisdom, host Tish Mindemann speaks with key figures involved in the University of Arkansas’ Indigenous community: Gregory Jones (Shawnee Nation), the director for the Native American Student Services office, and Dr. Marty Matlock (Cherokee Nation), professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department and longtime Indigenous student advocate. Listeners will...

In this episode of Rooted Wisdom , host Tish Mindemann sits down with Dr. Christie Poitra, a former academic turned specialty crop farmer in the Great Lakes region. As a first-generation descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Dr. Poitra shares her journey from university halls to healing soil, weaving together themes of stewardship, cultural preservation, and ecological balanc...

🎙️ Rooted Wisdom – Season 2, Episode [X]: “Native Imagery in Agricultural Art” with Dr. Browning Neddeau 🧠 Episode Summary In this thought-provoking episode, host Tish Mindemann sits down with Dr. Browning Neddeau , an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and professor at Chico State University, to explore the intersection of Native American imagery , agricultural crate labels , and p...

Guest: Skya Ducheneaux, Executive Director of Akiptan Host: Tish Mindemann Duration: ~32 minutes Release Date: 8/14/2025 🔍 Episode Summary In this compelling episode, host Tish Mindemann speaks with Skya Ducheneaux, a member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation and Executive Director of  Akiptan , a Native-led agricultural CDFI. Skya shares her journey from ranching to fin...

In this special episode of  Rooted Wisdom , we take you inside the 11th Annual Native American Youth in Agriculture Leadership Summit, hosted by the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative at the University of Arkansas. This immersive week-long experience brings together Native youth from across Indian Country to explore agriculture, leadership, and community through hands-on learning and...

In our final episode of the Makin' Scratch series, we speak to the CEO and founder of Makocee, Nick Hernandez (Oglala Sioux). Makocee, which means 'homeland' in the Oglala Sioux language, is a central location for local poultry as an access point for their products on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Nick talks about how he got the idea for Makocee, what the organization does for producers, and how Ind...

Continuing with our special series on the poultry industry in Indian Country, we have 3 egg-cellent ladies on this episode. Kathrine Minthorn (Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation) the Technical Assistance Network Associate Director from IAC talks about her own experience as an egg producer and how she helps her community. Amelia Evans-Brow (Yup’ik & Passamaquoddy) a Technica...

In this special series, we will be exploring the poultry industry in Indian Country. In the first episode we speak to Dr. Fred Dustan Clark, Assistant Professor/Extension Poultry Health Veterinarian, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and Associate Director of the Poultry Center at the University of Arkansas. He gives us a peak inside what's happening with the bird flu, and how it is affecti...

In this episode of Rooted Wisdom, host Tish Mindemann interviews Dr. Josie Rudolphi and Kaycee Captain, two members of the collaboration between traditional and Indigenous mental health initiatives. Josie Rudolphi, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Illinois, discusses the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center (NCFRSAC), while Kaycee Captain, a Tribal...

🎙️ Rooted Wisdom Podcast: Season 2, Episode 1 🎙️ In this episode, we dive into the vital topic of rural development in Indian Country. Join host Tish Mindemann as she speaks with Carly Griffith Hotvedt, Executive Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Carly shares insights on how Tribal nations are investing in rural America through food an...

  Podcast Summary: Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: The Vital Role of Tribal Food and Agriculture In this special episode of "Rooted Wisdom," we celebrate Native American Heritage Month by exploring the significant contributions of tribal food and agriculture. Hosted by Mary Belle Zook, Communications Director at the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI), the episode feature...

On this episode of Rooted Wisdom , hear from the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative's Summer Wilkie on how IFAI has supported Native youth programming since the organization's formation. IFAI has helped tackle the large need for youth engagement, mentorships, and networking around food and agriculture across Indian Country through the annual Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership...

On this insightful episode of Rooted Wisdom, produced by the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, hear from IFAI's Director of Tribal Enterprise, Steven Shedd J.D., citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, on how IFAI's Tribal Enterprise team helps Tribal Nations navigate food and agricultural development opportunities and facilitate food safety training and education across the country.

In the latest episode of Rooted Wisdom, produced by the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, host Tish Mindemann delves into the impact of IFAI's legal and policy expertise on supporting the growth and expansion of Tribal food and agriculture. We will be speaking to Kelli Case, Sr. Staff Attorney with IFAI about her background and her team’s vital work.  

Get ready for an insightful journey into the world of Tribal agriculture with our latest episode of Rooted Wisdom: Exploring Tribal Agriculture titled Safeguarding Sovereignty: Navigating Finance and Law in Tribal Agriculture . Join us as we delve into the Agricultural Financial, Tax, and Asset Protection program at the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative. This episode features the expertis...

In this enlightening episode of "Rooted Wisdom," we delve into the critical role of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in  Native American agriculture. With the annual FSA committee election period kicking off on June 17 and nomination applications due by August 1, the timing couldn't be more perfect to explore this topic. Our special guest, Carly Griffith Hotvedt, Interim Executive Director of the Ind...

Join us as we dive deep into the vital role of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in supporting Native American agriculture. This episode features Carly Griffith Hotvedt, Interim Executive Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative and a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation, who serves on the Oklahoma FSA state board. Whether you're a Tribal producer, policymaker, Tribal leader, or simp...

Prepare to embark on a journey into the heart of Indigenous agriculture on the latest episode of "Rooted Wisdom: Exploring Tribal Agriculture." 🎙️ Join us as we explore the Model Tribal Food and Agriculture Code alongside Erin Parker, Executive Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, and Dr. Hayman, Osage Nation's Secretary of Natural Resources. 🌾 👉 Tune in to uncover the sig...

Get ready for an eye-opening journey into the heart of Tribal agriculture! 🌱 In the upcoming episode of "Rooted Wisdom: Exploring Tribal Agriculture," we're diving deep into the Model Tribal Food and Agriculture Code. 🌾 Join us as we sit down with Erin Parker, Executive Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, and Dr. Hayman, Tribal Citizen of the Osage Nation and Osage Nation...

Dive into the heart of Indian Country and the Agricultural Census with us on the latest episode of "Rooted Wisdom: Exploring Tribal Agriculture." 🎙️ Join our insightful conversations with producer Meagen Baldy and Erin Parker, Executive Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, as we uncover the importance of accurate data in shaping policies and educating about Indigenous agricu...

This trailer will introduce you to the second episode of "Rooted Wisdom: Exploring Tribal Agriculture." April's installment, we embark on a journey into the heart of Indian Country and the Agricultural Census, uncovering vital insights into Indigenous agricultural practices and challenges. Joining us are two esteemed guests: producer Meagen Baldy and Executive Director of the Indigenous Food and A...

The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative's first episode of Rooted Wisdom: Exploring Tribal Agriculture  highlights the Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit. In this episode, host and IFAI's Communications Manger Tish Mindemann sits down with Summer Wilkie (Cherokee Nation), IFAI's next generation manager, to discuss the past 10 years and upcoming highlights for the Native...

"Rooted Wisdom: Exploring Tribal Agriculture" is a captivating podcast journey into the heart of Indigenous agriculture, culture, and traditions. Through interviews with passionate experts, elders, and advocates, listeners are inspired by stories of revitalizing Indigenous agriculture, restoring traditional foods, and fostering food sovereignty among Native peoples.