Recipient Organization
Aaniiih Nakoda College
269 Blackfoot Ave - Agency
Harlem,MT 59526
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The goal of this project is to maintain and operate a demonstration farm and greenhouse facility that promotes the mission of Fort Belknap College and addresses the educational needs of the Fort Belknap community. The farm and greenhouse serve as integral parts of a reservation-wide service network intended to (1) promote healthier lifestyles and greater self-sufficiency among Fort Belknap residents, (2) encourage development of the agricultural sector of the reservation economy, and (3) offer educational opportunities for every segment of the Fort Belknap community. In order to achieve these objectives, farm and greenhouse personnel (1) grow and maintain a wide variety of demonstration planting (2) offer tours, workshops, and individual consultations and (3) participate in a permanent support network to coordinate project activities with other local agencies in Extension, health, social services, agriculture and education. In additional to participating in this local
network, project personnel maintain collaborative partnerships with Montana State University-Bozeman and the tribal colleges Land-Grant network. Specific and measurable outcomes are employed as standard to measure the project's overall success in meeting its stated goals and objectives. By demonstrating good gardening practices and healthy food production, preparation, and preservation techniques, and by linking their efforts with various health and education programs throughout the community, FBC's Extension Program will directly address the community's most pressing health concerns.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
By demonstrating good gardening practices and healthy food production, preparation, and preservation techniques, and by linking their efforts with various health and education programs throughout the community, FBC's Extension Program will directly address the community's most pressing health concerns. By working with local producers, potential agriculture entrepreneurs, tribal extension personnel, and natural resource professionals, project personnel will pay a significant role in enhancing the reservation's agricultural economy. By linking their efforts with educational institutions and social service providers across the reservation, project personnel will offer a community-oriented educational resource that benefits the entire community.
Project Methods
large portion of the demonstration farm is devoted to growing many different garden vegetables. The greenhouse maintains year-round vegetables crops, while box raised beds, cold frames and hot beds surrounding the greenhouse contain cool and warm season vegetables, annual and perennial flower, and herbs commonly used in food preparation. Interested community members are invited to tour the farm and greenhouse on an individual basis or during schedule tours. Produce from the farm and greenhouse is made available to the community through donations to local senior citizens centers, school, and college-sponsored events. Farm produce also is used during food preparation and preservation workshops sponsored by the local Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Project personnel plan and conduct tours and workshops covering a number of topics, including: garden/growing practices; basic nutrition; health, diet and exercise; healthy food preparation and
preservation; composting; landscaping; shelterbelt design; tree planting; pest control techniques; and use of cold frames, hot beds and boxed raised beds. In addition, project personnel participate in the workshop.