Celebrating the 2024 IAC Youth Essay Contest Finalists!

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

Leilani Charley, of the Ramah Navajo people, is a dedicated and multi-talented senior at Pine Hill High School from the community of Pine Hill, New Mexico. Growing up on a ranch, she developed horsemanship and livestock skills, often helping with the care and doctoring of animals. Active in all varsity sports, including basketball, volleyball, golf, track, and softball, Leilani also excels academically and holds leadership roles, such as vice president of the student council and serving as a proud member of the Ponderosa 4-H Club. Leilani's accomplishments include being crowned Miss Ramah Navajo Rodeo Queen. Driven and community-minded, she's also a Bi-County 4-H Scholarship awardee. She also holds several Showmanship Champion in Market Beef awards, as well as First Place Market Beef awards in junior livestock. Leilani is currently applying to universities with plans to major in Agricultural or Animal Science.

Taryn McCaa, Cherokee Nation

Hi! My name is Taryn McCaa, and I am from Elmore City, a small town in the southwest area of Oklahoma. This fall, I will be a senior at Elmore City-Pernell High School. Throughout my high school career, I have been highly involved in various extracurriculars such as fast-pitch softball, basketball, track, National Honors Society, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 4-H, and FFA. In addition to my extracurricular activities through my high school, I also earned a position on the American Farmers and Ranchers Youth Advisory Council and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry Ag Youth Council.

I was born and raised on a diversified livestock ranching operation consisting of registered quarter horses, a commercial cattle herd, and Boer and Spanish goat herds. Growing up on a ranch, I have had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with animals in need of veterinary medicine. These experiences have developed my love for vet medicine and given me a passion to pursue a career in it. My goals upon graduation include attending Oklahoma State University and majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Ag Business and then going on to earn my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

Honorable Mentions

Alicia Agoodie, Navajo Nation

Leo Enlow, Muscogee Creek Nation

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!