Project LEAP Spotlight: Adasyn Hayes

As new Project LEAP applications roll in, we’re continuing our spotlight series celebrating our past awardees who are advancing Indian agriculture nationwide. For feature #3, it is our heartfelt honor to introduce Adasyn Hayes of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma! Her application exemplified her devotion to agriculture and her sincere love for learning. Adasyn is currently pursuing degrees—yes, that’s plural—in Agriculture Education and Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas, where she has made the Chancellor’s list every semester. In her application, she shared what agriculture meant to her:

“Ultimately, agriculture means life. It means feeding a growing population while preserving the land that feeds us. It means community, resilience, and progress. Whether through tradition or technology, agriculture is the root of everything we depend on, and that’s why it matters so deeply to me.”

Adasyn applied for Project LEAP to request financial support with her FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE’s). For these projects, she raised healthy show pigs and maintained a flock of laying hens. “These projects are not only a critical part of my agricultural education but also serve as meaningful learning experiences that help me build responsibility, time management, and practical skills in animal care and farm management,” Adasyn said.

Photos provided by Adasyn and family during her Project LEAP award year.

“More personally, agriculture gives me a sense of identity and purpose. It’s a career path that aligns with my desire to make a difference, whether that means working directly on a farm, contributing to research, or helping educate others about where their food comes from,” she said of her future plans.

Adasyn is now participating in an internship with American Heritage Beef, and she is extremely excited about establishing a career in the agricultural industry. We know her hometown of Nowata, Oklahoma, is absolutely proud of her as an up and coming Indian ag professional. We sure are! Soon, she’ll have her degrees in hand, a full internship experience, and her sights set on a lifelong profession.

The Intertribal Agriculture Council is profoundly grateful to know Project LEAP is part of Adasyn’s overall educational experience, granting her a financial boost in realizing her goals and acquiring pertinent knowledge and skills. This is why Project LEAP exists, to ensure there is dedicated support for youth and young professionals to pursue their agricultural vision of the future. Our past awardee spotlights #1 and #2 further emulate this same sentiment: Indian Country’s youth are passionately and diligently ushering in the future of agriculture in their communities and on a national scale. Our awardees’ success is our success, and they will continue to make a difference for all nations.

Project LEAP officially reopened applications on July 1st. With support from the Native American Agriculture Fund and Newman’s Own Foundation, Project LEAP will continue to offer $500 awards to help youth grow their skills and take the next step in agriculture, natural resources, and food systems. To view Project LEAP's application guidelines and eligibility, visit bit.ly/2026ProjectLeap to access the application portal. Awards are available on a rolling basis until funds are gone.

To learn more about IAC's Youth Program, visit us at indianag.org/youth.