Speaker: Nathan Hart, Economic Development Director, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
Topic: Cheyenne & Arapaho tribe buffalo herd
The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes recently purchased, at auction, 65 bison from the State of Oklahoma that had been residing at Foss State Park. This addition, along with the new babies this spring bring the Tribes’ bison herd to over 400 head. Nathan will share the Tribes’ goals of expanding their bison numbers as both commercial and conservation herds. He will give insights on how their farm and ranch program is utilizing over 9,800 acres of agriculture land to support their bison. Nathan will discuss the Tribes’ 2017 landmark soil health agreement with the United Stated Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service establishing a demonstration farm showcasing advanced soil health techniques. Other topics Nathan will address include the issuance of Tax Exempt Bonds, the first in the Tribes’ history; the genetic testing of their bison herd; their Bison Parasitology Program; and progress on their planned meat processing facility along with a feed production facility.
OKC Chapter will recognize Fran Smith with the Trailblazer Award for her years of contribution to AICCO and the OKC Chapter. Fran is a long time employee and recent retiree from Bank2.
