Chewing the Cud

Welcome back to Chewing the Cud with CMN Extension! Hosts Christopher Azbell and Shannon McBroom are joined by special guest Heather Dawn Thompson, citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, attorney, conservation leader, and Vice President of Native Nations Conservation and Food Systems at the World Wildlife Fund.

In this episode (recorded Friday, October 16, live from the Muscogee Nation Reservation), Heather shares her journey from USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations to her current role linking conservation and Indigenous food systems. The conversation covers the future of Indigenous agriculture, what food sovereignty looks like in practice, buffalo restoration and its deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the Lakota, tribal procurement policies that drive local food economies, challenges and opportunities with leasing and land access, regenerative practices, the Farm Bill, and practical steps tribes, producers, and individuals can take right now.

Also in the episode: Muscogee Nation Division of Ag updates (rain, drought assistance, ARC/PLC, NRCS deadlines), College of Muscogee Nation workshops (hemp, pawpaw, food preservation, Master Gardener graduation), youth rifle season, and more.

Whether you’re a producer, tribal member, backyard gardener, or just interested in food sovereignty and conservation, this one is packed with insight. Grab a cup of coffee and chew the cud with us.

Guest Bio (short version for show notes):
Heather Dawn Thompson is a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, a longtime attorney in Indian Country, and a leading voice in tribal agriculture, conservation, and food sovereignty. She previously served as USDA Director of Tribal Relations and as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. She is currently Vice President of Native Nations Conservation and Food Systems at the World Wildlife Fund, where she works at the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, buffalo restoration, and resilient food systems. Her family’s history is tied to one of the last remaining wild buffalo herds that helped save the species from extinction.

Key Topics:

• Food sovereignty in practice (procurement, local food programs, heirloom seeds)
• Buffalo restoration and cultural/spiritual connections
• Tribal agriculture policy and leasing
• Farm Bill and USDA program updates for Native producers
• Regenerative practices and reducing chemical inputs
• Individual and community action (gardens, foraging, hunting)
• Muscogee Nation and CMN Extension updates

Show: Chewing the Cud with CMN Extension
Hosts: Christopher Asbell & Shannon McBroom
Guest: Heather Dawn Thompson
Date: October 16, 2026
Contact / Text Line: 918-756-3646

In this episode of Chewin’ the Cud, hosts Chris and Shannon McBroom talk with Jade McPeak, a high school senior from Checotah, Oklahoma, and a proud Muscogee Nation citizen. She’s a fifth-generation cattle rancher who has been showing livestock since she was little. Jade talks about her recent success at the Tulsa State Fair (winning the Shorthorn Plus open show and reserve Brahman in the junior show), the hard work that goes into preparing show cattle and goats, how premium sales and add-ons work, and what livestock judging contests are actually like.

She also discusses her time as an FFA chapter president, competing in public speaking (including winning nationals), the speech she’s given on genetic testing in show cattle, and the veterinary telehealth bill she researched and wrote. Listeners get a look at her family’s long history on the North Canadian/Deep Fork, her plans for college and livestock judging, and why she thinks more young people can get into agriculture even without a multi-generational background.

The episode also includes Shannon’s updates on the Farm Bill, NRCS batching dates, tribal agriculture funding, and upcoming workshops.

Chewin’ the Cud | College of the Muscogee Nation Extension | Text: 918-756-3646 | [email protected]

Brooklyn Bartling: 2026 deer season on Muscogee Nation land — free citizen permits, Hannah and Tiger Mountain access, shoot does, Loop Squared donations, and CWD-clear property.

Raymond “Chicken Man” Leaders of L&P Co-op talks free-range poultry, Muscogee food sovereignty, co-op work, and rural OK traditions on Chewing the Cud

Billy Haltam, Muscogee Nation Ag Youth Program director, discusses 4-H/FFA aid, archery, livestock shows, DC trips & farm bill on Chewin’ the Cud.

• Jeff Caskey, Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) gives listeners an update on programmatic efforts, technical advisement, the annual IAC Conference in Las Vegas as well as emerging threats to ag producers.

• Provost Dr. Richie Roberts, OSUIT, takes some time out of his busy day to discuss the huge changes taking place in workforce development, student placement,and the increasingly popular technical career track for high performing students.

Dr. MerkelDr. Roger Merkel, Ph. D. Langston University Associate Extension Administrator, talks about programmatic outreach initiatives including small ruminant management, beekeeping, and tanning workshops.

Dr. RandallDr. Monte Randall, President, College of the Muscogee Nation, discusses the 20-year rise of CMN and its growing sphere of influence in the greater Mvskoke community.

Laura Lewis Cline,  Assistant Professor of Ag Leadership at Oklahoma State University and Extension Specialist talks about the state of agriculture  in Oklahoma, ongoing challenges, and need to embrace changewhen needed.