Tomie grew up, and currently resides on, a cattle ranch near Parade, SD. Tomie is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She is a graduate of Black Hills State University and joined Intertribal Agriculture Council from Dacotah Bank in Mobridge, SD where she was an Agriculture Banker. In this setting, She developed a trained eye for Ag Lending and Finance. In her technical assistance capacity with the IAC, she has advocated on behalf of Tribal producers for fair and equitable financing, functional access to USDA programming, and innovative business structures. In her new role with the American Indian Foods Program, she uses her knowledge to help business expand into the global marketplace. Tomie enjoys working in the Ag industry and helping producers succeed and hope her efforts aid in strengthening Native American economies.

Plenary Panel

Food Production and Value-added Strategies in These Changing Times