Members of the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching met with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last November. Photo from USDA Blog

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced 11 tribal representatives for the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching.

The council was created by the Keepseagle settlement over discrimination at the Department of Agriculture. Its members will advise Vilsack on ways to eliminate barriers to participation for Native American farmers and ranchers.

"Over the previous two years the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching has provided recommendations meant to help tribal governments, businesses, farmers and ranchers partner with USDA to create jobs, drive economic growth and strengthen tribal communities, and I look forward to a continuation of their progress," Vilsack said in a press release.

Of the 11 tribal representatives, 8 were previously serving of the council. The full list of members follows:

• John Berrey, Chairman of Quapaw Tribe, (Quapaw), Sperry, Okla.
• Tawney Brunsch, Executive Director of Lakota Funds, (Oglala Sioux), Kyle, S.D.
• Gilbert Harrison, Rancher, (Navajo), Shiprock, N.M.*
• Henry Holder, Farmer/Rancher, (Choctaw), Soper, Okla.*
• Derrick Lente, Attorney and Farmer/Rancher, (Sandia Pueblo), Sandia Pueblo, N.M.
• Jerry McPeak, Farmer/Rancher and State Legislator, (Muscogee Creek), Warner, Okla.*
• Angela Sandstol, Natural Resources and Conservation Official, (Native Village of Tyonek), Tyonek, Alaska*
• Edward Soza, Rancher/Tribal Council Member (Soboba), Banning, Calif.*
• Mary Thompson, Farmer/Rancher, (Eastern Band of Cherokee), Cherokee, N.C.*
• Sarah Vogel, Civil Rights Attorney and Former two-term Agricultural Commissioner for North Dakota, Bismarck, N.D.*
• Mark Wadsworth, Natural Resources/Range Management, (Shoshone-Bannock), Blackfoot, Idaho*
(*Denotes those re-appointed)

Get the Story:
Press Release: Secretary Vilsack Appoints Members to the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching (USDA 9/8)