Performing Department
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING
Non Technical Summary
The project links Arizona State University and the Cooperative Extension of the University of Arizona and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Tribal Community in a strategic partnership to begin a transfer from large-scale agricultural production to organic truck farming. The effort will be a focal point for intergenerational cooperation and community development. The project features demonstration organic farming, a 4-H program, a cooperative market and initial efforts at distance education.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
1. Develop a demonstration organic farm where members of the Tribal Community can successfully grow traditional beans as well as other vegetables. 2. Encourage individual tribal members to plant small backyard organic farms as an alternative source of income. 3. Develop a cooperative market where healthy vegetables can be sold on the reservation and marketed to surrounding communities. 4. Enhance farm to market skills and further stimulate entrepreneurial activity. 5. Further intergenerational linkage, rekindle interest in farming among the youth, and strengthen the sense of community among tribal members of all ages. 6. Reconnect youth with their tribal heritage and offer a healthy outlet for social activities on the reservation. 7. Expand knowledge of alternative cropping techniques through access to updated computer web pages and distance education.
Project Methods
The project includes five interconnected foci for applied research: organic farming, community development, youth programs, co-operative market and distance education. Process Evaluation will review progress in meeting objectives, level of community involvement, as well as level of success in farm production and sales at the cooperative market. The evaluation will also focus on integration of the various aspects of the project. I. Organic farming Apply knowledge of Agricultural Extension to planting a demonstration farm with traditional Native American crops and other vegetable crops using sustainable organic farming methods. Assess properties of soil and water sources and farming equipment available for on three target locations for organic farming-- a 100 acre under utilized feedlot, a small working farm, and backyard gardens. Determine suitability to planting specific traditional native crops as well as other vegetables identified by members of Tribal community.
Modify standard growing practices to respond to cultural traditions and available equipment. Develop and plant demonstration farm; assess yield, prepare for subsequent planting years. Develop and introduce culturally sensitive approaches to technology transfer with specific attention to intergenerational involvement. Introduce concepts to individuals Tribal Members who will move ahead with plans for backyard farms. 2. Community Development: Adapt traditional approaches to community development to the tribal community with the intent of generating broad intergenerational involvement in the farming and co-operative projects. Efforts will involve community needs assessment, leadership identification, focus group sessions, and intensive workshops. Focus community identity-building effort around an emerging community center associated with the organic farming effort. Youth Program Adapt the 4-H model to the Tribal community with specific attention to youth-at-risk--the young teens. In
close partnership with Tribal Community Youth leaders and representatives of the youth themselves conduct a needs and interest survey. Identify areas of strongest need and potential programs to address those needs. Identify opportunities for involvement of youth in organic farming and cooperative market project. Involve youth in efforts to use landscape design as a focus for the community center. 4. Cooperative Market Introduce and adapt business entrepreneurial approaches to the Tribal community. Build upon the APS sponsored Focused Futures Group economic development strategic planning process that has been underway for the last two years on the reservation. Test market for particularly vegetables both on and off the reservation. Feed back information to organic farming project team. Establish a cooperative market to sell produce generated by the organic farming efforts. Adapt and apply concepts appropriate to small business development. Identify emerging entrepreneurial leaders.
Build volunteer base for cooperative markets, particularly among youth and seniors. Test market and assess strategies first within the tribal community and then beyond.