Secretary of Natural Resources Dr. Jann Hayman Receives Agricultural Leadership Distinguished Alumni from Oklahoma State University
On April 13, 2023, Dr. Jann Hayman received the Agricultural Leadership Distinguished Alumni from Oklahoma State University’s Department of Agricultural Education, Communications, and Leadership at the OSU Alumni Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Dr. Hayman, a citizen of the Osage Nation, is the Secretary of Natural Resources on the Osage Nation Cabinet. Jann received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education with a Leadership option and a minor in Animal Science in 2005 and then went on to attain a master’s degree in Agriculture in 2007, both from Oklahoma State University. Jann more recently attained a Doctor of Education from Kansas State University in 2021.
Dr. Lauren Cline, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Leadership, recognized Jann in her efforts to promote food sovereignty through the development of the Osage Nation’s agricultural systems, overseeing multiple grants to support funding needs, and authoring publications that focus on Indigenous perspectives in land and agriculture. She went on to describe moments when you meet someone and know that relationship is going to be meaningful, which is the moment she met Jann.
In addition to Jann’s work in the development of the Osage Nation’s food sovereignty programs, she works to build positive foundations for Native nations. Jann has spent her time with the Osage Nation working with a multitude of federal and state agencies to create better processes and implement wildlife, environmental, natural resources, and agricultural programs for the benefit of Native nations. Through these efforts, Jann is a member of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regional Tribal Advisory Council, as well as the Land of the Osages Research Center Advisory Board.
Jann was granted the opportunity to say a few words after receiving the award, in which she described making the decision to pursue Agricultural Leadership. She originally intended to pursue veterinary medicine, but stated that she “knew she was meant to do more for people and changing to Agricultural Leadership was the best decision I could have made.” Through gaining the foundation in Agricultural Leadership from Oklahoma State University, she has been able to promote agriculture, especially Indigenous agriculture. Jann stated she would not have been so successful if it wasn’t for the support of the Osage Nation, at which time she introduced Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and his wife, Julie, to the banquet attendees.
Jann ended by saying she is an advocate for all agricultural producers. Through the programs she oversees as the Secretary of Natural Resources and through the experience she has gained, she welcomes anyone who wants to learn from her, the Osage Nation’s facilities, or to talk about agriculture. As Dr. Cline described the Harvest Land and Butcher House facilities, she stated that “if you haven’t been to Pawhuska to see these facilities, you need to!”