Leading Agricultural Change in Native American Communities

November 11, 2024 Krystal Lynch

Young man with glasses leaning on a wolf sculpture

Rooted in the traditions of his Lumbee lineage, Howard Jacobs embraces his journey at NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), blending legislative policy with a heart for agriculture.

Growing up in Pembroke, North Carolina, Jacobs became interested in agriculture in high school when a classmate invited him to an FFA meeting. He learned about greenhouse production, parliamentary procedure, leadership, fundraising and land-grant universities.

He joined FFA and became his chapter’s vice president and greenhouse manager. His experiences led him to pursue an associate degree from the Agricultural Institute before working toward his bachelor’s in agricultural science with a minor in leadership through the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences.

Being the first in his family to attend a university outside of his hometown meant he would leave the comforts of his community behind. However, a chance encounter during Jacobs’ first campus tour at NC State helped him find a sense of belonging.

NC State alumnus Gavin Bell, assistant director of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA), introduced himself after recognizing their shared Lumbee heritage. They connected, and Bell became Jacobs’s mentor and close friend. “It was comforting that my first experience at NC State was with someone with a similar background,” Jacobs says. This November, NC State celebrates students like Jacobs during Native American Heritage Month — coordinated by MSA and the Native American Student Association (NASA) — with events throughout the month.

The Native and Ag Connection

A member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Jacobs sees an alignment between traditional values of sustainability and his agricultural studies. His interest in extension and outreach bridges the gap between the university and North Carolina’s rural communities and drives his academic and career goals.

Jacobs believes that Lumbee traditions and the tribe’s connection to the land go hand-in-hand.

“Growing up, I learned how native tribes weren’t wasteful,” he says, noting that sustainable farming practices are a tradition of most native communities that utilize land and food animals holistically and practically.

Group of students posing around a table in a conference room — Jacobs (third from left) with NASA at the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Talley Student Union.

“Where I grew up, everyone dabbled in agriculture. I had many questions, but the answers people gave me didn’t add up. So I decided to take what I already knew about what works in our agricultural community and apply it at a university level.”

Jacobs’ studies ignited his interest in extension and communicating research-supported agricultural practices to the community’s producers. NC State’s agricultural science program enables him to tailor his interactions with farmers or university researchers.

“I can talk to two very different sets of people and deliver the message,” he says.

Balancing Acts

Jacobs has faced challenges balancing academic work with campus involvement as the treasurer for the Native American Student Association. Being a quick study, he consulted his peers, including the former treasurer.

“She guided me because she knows from experience that we all wear many hats. She helped me prioritize being a student first.”

Jacobs established a routine that made his treasurer duties more manageable and gave him space to grow. He gained a clear understanding of the role’s expectations and how to engage with other students effectively.

“Now, they don’t just see me as the person to pay dues to but as someone they can talk to and have real conversations with,” he says.

Group of students posing and smiling in a carpeted classroom — Jacobs (second from right) with a NASA general body meeting.

Passion, Politics and Community Building

During the summer of 2024, Jacobs took his enthusiasm for building community to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where he interned in the office of U.S. Rep. David Rouzer of North Carolina.

“I chose to work in Rep. Rouzer’s office because he represents my county, which allows me to impact people back home,” Jacobs says. “Another reason I chose to work with Rouzer is because he, our tribal chairman and our North Carolina senators are drafting legislation to recognize the Lumbee Tribe nationally.”

Two men in suits standing on Capitol Hill steps. — Jacobs and Rep. Rouzer on Capitol Hill.

Jacobs discovered the complexities of local and national politics while working with congressional staff in Native American affairs, agriculture, water infrastructure and transportation.

“Rep. Rouzer was on the agriculture committee during the farm bill debate. Our team worked hard, conducting regular meetings involving our county commissioner and tribal chairman. Seeing how much they cared about the people back home was encouraging.”

Two years ago, the Lumbee Tribe established an agriculture and natural resources department, enabling the tribe and community farmers to secure funding. The tribe also created STEM enrichment camps to teach K-12 Lumbee students about sustainability and agriculture.

Jacobs believes these educational initiatives align with the tribe’s agricultural heritage.

“Our current tribal chairman understands and respects history and traditions but also sees ways to improve,” he says. “Leadership plays a big role in preserving tradition while exploring innovation, working towards a common goal and knowing when to pivot.”

College students and man standing on concrete steps — Jacobs (second from left) with fellow summer interns and Rep. Rouzer on Capitol Hill.

While researching policies, drafting memos, distributing newsletters and running daily tasks, Jacobs realized that young people can play a vital role in the U.S. Congress. The opportunity allowed him to get direct experience working with policy.

Jacobs currently works for CALS Advancement, reviewing scholarship recipient and donor correspondence and processing donor gifts.

Looking ahead, Jacobs envisions three potential career paths: pursuing a master’s in public administration, working in human resources for an agriculture-focused company or focusing on agricultural policy in Washington, D.C.

“I knew working at Capitol Hill would give me firsthand experience, lifelong connections and transferable skills,” he says. “I’ll be more than prepared if I pursue a job on the Hill after college. If I chose a different path, the skills learned in that experience will allow me to navigate any role I choose.”

This post was originally published in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences News.