Wearing a traditional indigenous ribbon skirt and moccasins, Carly Griffith Hotvedt, executive director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, was crowned the 2025 National Elite Ms. Agriculture USA during the Miss Agriculture USA competition in Ohio.

"I am thrilled and honored," she said, adding that she is the first contestant representing Oklahoma to win the title.

Miss Agriculture USA is a national nonprofit queen organization established in 2018 with a mission to celebrate and promote agriculture. That mission is something Griffith Hotvedt focuses on every day as she leads the IFAI, which is housed under the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Griffith Hotvedt joined IFAI in 2019 as the director of Tribal enterprise. Prior to her role at IFAI, she directed the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Founded in 2013, IFAI focuses on ensuring tribal sovereignty in food sovereignty, promoting tribally driven solutions to revitalize and advance traditional food systems and diversified economic development throughout Indian Country. The IFAI provides Tribal governments, producers, and food businesses with educational resources, policy research, and strategic legal analysis as a foundation for building robust food economies.

In addition to focusing on agriculture, the Miss Agriculture USA organization focuses on building confidence, promoting self-esteem, developing public speaking skills, shaping strong leaders, networking and forming lasting friendships. Contestants compete in various age divisions and different categories, such as formal wear, impromptu question response, introduction and speech, all which Hotvedt placed first or second.

An attorney and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Griffith Hotvedt said a former contestant and friend encouraged her to enter the competition even though she had no prior pageant experience.

"I had no idea what I doing," she said. "My presence and public speaking skills carried me through. It was fun to interact with women interested in agriculture."

During her reign as an "AGvocate for Agriculture," she will continue to interact with the agriculture community nationwide and will be available to serve as an agriculture ambassador at various community events, including festivals and fairs.

"It's fun to get out and see the vast range of agriculture across the communities," Griffith Hotvedt said. "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity, and I encourage other women with an interest in agriculture to enter the competition."

---

About the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative: The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) at the University of Arkansas School of Law enhances the health and wellness of Tribal communities by advancing healthy food systems, diversified economic development, and cultural food traditions. IFAI provides strategic legal analysis, policy research, and educational resources to empower Indian Country through food sovereignty, agriculture, and economic development.  

About the University of Arkansas School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. and is home to the nation's first LL.M. program in agriculture and food law. Led by nationally recognized faculty, the school offers students exceptional opportunities in pro bono work, live-client clinics, public service fellowships, competitions and much more. It also has a rich history and tradition of leadership—from admitting the Six Pioneers, the first African American students to attend a Southern law school without a court order, to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors and faculty members who have gone on to serve as President of the United States and Secretary of State. Follow us at @uarklaw.