Kelly Beym

Kelly Beym is a member of the Navajo Nation, the Red Running into Water Clan. She is from Los Angeles, California and Kansas is the seventh state she has lived in! Kelly is currently pursuing a PhD in Geography under the guidance of Dr. Jay Johnson.

In 2022 Kelly received her Bachelor of Individualized Studies from New Mexico State University with a minor in agricultural business management and distinguished university honors. While at NMSU she also conducted her honors thesis as an intern with the Native American Agriculture Fund. Her research looked at potential inequities between food and nutrition service programs offered to American Indians on or near reservations. Kelly also presented this research at her college’s open house and the SACNAS NDiSTEM 2022 Annual Conference, where she won presentation awards for both. Following her undergrad, Kelly went on to intern with the Haskell Environmental Research Studies (HERS) Institute where she received funding to attend graduate school at KU. 

Kelly now is continuing her education to explore tribal self determination of food and nutrition programs, and how they may contribute to rural economic prosperity and enhance food security. Kelly is interested in the intersection of tribal geopolitics with the geographies of foods in Indian Country. Outside of school, Kelly is passionate about being present for her two children, youth mentorship, and networking at AISES, SACNAS, and AAG. Kelly’s goal after graduate school is to continue working with tribal partners in Indian Country to continue advocating for equitable policies impacting traditional cultural foodways, particularly those within the Farm Bill.