IFAI Youth Programs
Leadership Summit
The Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit allows participants to dive deeper into their interests and develop real-world solutions, highlighted through a capstone project. Experiences during the week include touring Tribal agricultural operations, interfacing with other youth and industry professionals, participating in an Indigenous cooking demonstration, and more.
The 2025 Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit will occur July 10 – 18 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Applications are now closed to Native youth ages 18 – 24. All travel and lodging will be covered for those accepted.
Agricultural policy and production areas covered during Youth Summit include:
- Agricultural Business and Finance
- Land Stewardship and Conservation
- Agricultural Law and Policy
- Nutrition and Health
- Animal Science
Held annually since 2014, the Youth Summit brings participants from across Indian Country to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to spend a week creating lifelong memories and fostering professional and academic skills development. All travel and lodging expenses are covered for accepted applicants. You can see the students presenting their capstone projects in the video to the left. These projects are a culmination of a week of learning from industry experts. Watch the awesome ideas these students have come up with to take back to their communities!

Youth Resources & Opportunities
Akiptan’s Native Youth Business Plan Contest – Deadline April 30, 2025
AISES Scholarships – Deadline April 30, 2025
Native Forward Scholarship – Deadline June 1
Oldest Native American Scholarship Program in the U.S. – Association on American Indian Affairs – Deadline May 31, 2025
Southwest Native American Foundation (SWNAF) – Deadline May 1
Bureau of Indian Affairs – Water Corps Program
Intertribal Agriculture Council – Youth Advisory Coucil
National Young Farmers Coalition – Root and Bloom Fellowship – Deadline May 14th
Eric Stensgar Memorial Scholarship – Deadline May 14th, 2025
Native American Fish and Wildlife Society – Summer Youth Practicum – May 3rd, 2025
Intertribal Buffalo Council – Yellowstone Buffalo Technician Internship – April 22nd, 2025
Akiptan Summer Internship – April 30th, 2025
Intertribal Agriculture Coucil – Project LEAP – Rolling Deadline
First Nations Development Institute – Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship – April 30th, 2025
Cobell Scholarship – Summer Semester – May 4th, 2025
IFAI Youth Calendar
Check out the calendar for info on upcoming on-campus events and other IFAI youth outreach.
Learn more about the Native American Student Services at the University of Arkansas by clicking the button below.
Food and Agriculture Opportunities for Native Youth
The Intertribal Agriculture Council’s Kelsey Scott, Latashia Redhouse, and Keir Johnson-Reyes also provide information on the importance of Native youth in food and agriculture, including IAC resources and other opportunities for Native youth to get involved and gain experience.