Progress 09/01/06 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: At the beginning of the grant cycle, Little Big Horn College (LBHC) incorporated a program of study leading to an Associate of Science Degree in Agriculture: Rangeland Ecology and Management. *Scholarships: With Equity funding LBHC provided 32 full tuition and 12 partial scholarships to students majoring in AG. *Internships: 13 semester and 10 summer internships were provided on local ranches, at the college greenhouse project, in research, at the BIA, NRCS, and for offering tutoring services to AG students. *An Animal Science degree option was added as a pilot: Livestock Management and Industries. *Curriculum was aligned with MSU Bozeman requirements. Six AG courses were enriched by Crow cultural contents. *Biannual Community Agriculture Advisory meetings with 8-20 participants were held. Stakeholders were informed about the development of the program and were able to shape the further direction. *Student field trips enhanced various AG classes (Northern Arapaho Tribal Ranch; Sheridan College Meat Processing Plant; SRM Tribal Range Conference; NRCS Crow Cottonwood Restoration Project). *Greenhouse/Teaching Garden Project: With Equity funds, LBHC provided salaries for a greenhouse management position on a seasonal, part time basis. Native grasses and contemporary and traditional food plants were propagated in the campus greenhouse; sweet grass and juneberries were planted as part of native landscaping projects on campus; a teaching garden was established for community outreach and student instruction. The project incorporated traditional and contemporary sustainable food production techniques (Hidatsa companion planting; raised beds; composting; crop rotation). The garden was developed in collaboration with the Tribal History Project Coordinator and Cultural Director. Over three consecutive years around 150 community members visited the project for information or to obtain food plants. Four educational guides about the care of common food plants were developed and distributed at the greenhouse. The project provided outreach to four classes of the Crow Elementary school, three summer children programs, and three regional high schools (Lodge Grass, Pryor, Hardin). Elementary school children planted square foot garden boxes; college staff members, college students, and Lodge Grass High School students propagated seeds and learned about basic greenhouse management. 50 community members attended an Open House and a Harvest Feast, which included a presentation about the progress and future plans for the project. Suggestions and input were recorded for future reference. In order to ensure the sustainability of the horticulture project, additional funding sources were identified. 80 LBHC students participated in a survey about preferred traditional and contemporary food choices at the new college cafeteria. PARTICIPANTS: The initial program director wrote the grant proposal, recruited students for the new degree program, negotiated agreements for internships on local ranches, initiated meetings with various stakeholders (Crow Tribal Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee, landowners, ranchers/farmers, BIA, NRCS), infused the coursework with Crow cultural components, and obtained funding from Big Horn County for the purchase and construction of a college greenhouse. After two years the PD took on a research grant, and a staff member, who had held the position of greenhouse manager for three months, became the new program director. Since the greenhouse management position could not be filled until the following summer, she continued to take care of the greenhouse. With the help of Ag student interns she established a teaching garden; she instructed the interns in seed propagation, composting techniques, companion planting and crop rotation. She recruited new students at the local high schools, career fairs and rodeos. She advised students, coordinated community meetings, student field trips, presentations, and initiated outreach efforts. She expanded collaborations with MSU Bozeman, Sheridan College, tribal and federal agencies. The program funded four greenhouse managers on a part time basis. All four required training in basic greenhouse management, three had little experience in gardening. Once they had sufficient training, they maintained the plants in the greenhouse and the garden, supervised AG interns and further developed community outreach. Six Crow tribal members with advanced degrees in Agriculture or Environmental Sciences were hired as adjunct faculty (19 credit hours). The grant provided funding for 13 semester and 10 summer internships. Within the institution, the Equity program collaborated with faculty from the Business, Science and Crow Studies Department, with the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program (OASDFR), and the LBHC Extension Service; within the Tribal community, the program established working relationships with individual landowners, the Tribal History Project, the BIA, the NRCS, the Tribal Farm and Ranch Department; collaborating partners in the extended community include: MSU Bozeman (AG faculty, the Sustainable Food & Bioenergy Systems Program, Native Studies Department, Entomology Department), Sheridan College (Agricultural Science Program), First Nations Development Institute. The Equity grant provided the following staff development opportunities: GIS Training; on-line statistics course; seminar on the American Indian Probate Reform Act; weed management plan development; participation in the Annual FALCON Conferences; workshop on grasshopper control; workshop on small acreage production. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for the AG degree program were mainly tribal members who wish to manage their own resources; students, who want to start a ranching or farming operation, who seek employment with land management agencies, or who plan on obtaining a higher degree at a four-year institution were supported through scholarships, internships, experiential and outreach learning opportunities. The outreach component of the grant aimed at K-12 teachers and students, at school garden projects, at community members, who wish to establish a community garden, or who would like to start a family garden, and at tribal agencies who are concerned with health and nutrition. Presentations and workshops on land and water rights, land use and management reached college students, the community at large, and beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: As referenced in the outcomes/impact part of the document, the change in project management during the grant cycle and the high turnover of staff in the horticulture project created a problem in reaching all program objectives within the proposed timeline. Additionally, the effects of severe flooding in May of 2011 prevented many community members from attending planned Ag advisory meetings; two equine workshops for children and youth had to be cancelled, and the school garden project at Lodge Grass High School had to be postponed until next year.
Impacts
Per semester 9 to 20 students were enrolled in the Agriculture degree program. Of six students who completed their course work at LBHC, three obtained an Associate of Science Degree in Rangeland Ecology and Management. Four students transferred to MSU Bozeman in order to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rangeland Ecology and Management (2), Environmental Science (1), and Agricultural Education under the Multicultural Scholars Program (1). One graduate found employment with the BIA and is planning on pursuing a BS in Environmental Science at MSU Bozeman in the spring of 2012. Through student field trips, participation in regional seminars and workshops and through culturally relevant presentations, students and other interested community members were able to gain insight into traditional and contemporary sustainable agriculture practices. Student interns in the horticulture project learned not only about gardening and food production, but also about the possibilities of community advancement. The garden has been maintained for three consecutive years; because of the project continuity and its central location, the outreach component is growing. The formal and experiential learning opportunities generated a strong interest in becoming more knowledgeable in sustainable practices, and also in taking an active part in the own education and the further development of the AG program. The importance of the continuity of the program itself and of the administrative staff became apparent: The project was disrupted after two years by a change in program management; furthermore, the limited resources for the greenhouse management position resulted in high staff turnover, which slowed down the progress of the outreach component. Each change in staff caused an institutional memory loss; knowledge had to be regained and relationships with stake holders, which were vital for the success of the program, had to be reestablished. Because of the consistency of the program, it was possible to keep stakeholders involved despite of the challenges, to build trust and to establish effective collaborations and networks. Increasingly, stakeholders expressed their interest in taking an active part in the development of an Equine program that is tailored to the needs of the community. Crow land owners actively assisted in the development of a Land Literacy course. Due to the continuity and expansion of the project, the growing working relationships and the increased retention of staff, stake holders recognized the institutional commitment to community development in the field of agriculture.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
As of the end of the spring semester 2010, 16 students were enrolled in the Agriculture Degree Program (15 students in the fall semester 2009). While at the start of the program the majority of students had declared AG as their second major, this trend has shifted. During the fourth funding year, 11 students chose AG as their only or first major. Among those students the academic achievement has also noticeably risen (4 students with a GPA of above 3.1, 2 freshmen with a GPA of above 2.5). 8 students received scholarships with Equity funds, 1 student was awarded a USDA Tribal Scholarship. He worked in a summer internship for NASS in Helena/Montana. In spring 2010, AG students began graduating with an AS degree in Rangeland Ecology and Management. 3 adjunct instructors were recruited to teach 4 AG classes. They were very motivated to expand teaching methods and provided hands-on learning opportunities at a local ranch, a regional cattle auction, and the college greenhouse/garden project. Relevant tenure related issues were incorporated in the coursework as seemed appropriate. In spring, an Agriculture Advisory meeting was held. Crow land owners, ranchers, a representative of the Crow Tribal Government, AG faculty and students participated. The response to the proposed expansion of the degree program by adding 2 Animal Science options (Livestock Management and Industry, Equine Science) was very positive; it was especially noted, that the options include more business related courses, vital for starting successful ranching operations. Subsequently PD visited with MSU Bozeman Animal Science instructors in order to align the new courses with MSU requirements. PD also met with instructors of the newly established Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems (SFBS) program at MSU and visited the college farm. The program currently offers 4 options. Since many stakeholders have expressed much interest in sustainable agriculture, collaboration efforts are being initiated. The horticulture project with its experiential learning component has not yet expanded as expected. Due to prolonged difficult health matters, the greenhouse manager was not able to prepare and plant the garden within the necessary time frame, to regularly supervise interns and student volunteers or engage in much of community outreach. She propagated various vegetable seeds and around 20 tribal members visited the greenhouse to obtain transplants. 4 community members came on a regular basis to ask the GHM or PD for advice on gardening as they were starting their own gardens. A soils class utilized various areas of the garden for testing different types of soil. The students learned about propagation media and propagated a variety of seeds. Although interest was expressed in taking part in a community garden project on college grounds, a site has not been selected as yet, due to existing construction plans at LBHC. PRODUCTS: 2 students graduated from LBHC with an AS degree in Rangeland Management. One graduate (Deans List) is planning on pursuing a BS degree at MSU Bozeman after a short family break, the other graduate (Honor Roll) found full-time employment with the BIA. A 3rd student, who finished his coursework at LBHC, transferred to MSU Bozeman in order to obtain a BS degree in Rangeland Management. 2 students are expected to graduate in the fall of 2010. 2 students have worked as summer interns at local ranches. 1 student received an internship opportunity with NRCS; because of conflicting schedules due to her summer classes, she left NRCS after a few weeks and completed her internship at the college horticulture project. The course Functional Anatomy has been adapted to meet the requirements of an Animal Science course. PD and a student intern attended an informational meeting at the AG Department of Sheridan College regarding plans for a regional meat slaughter plant. The visit included a tour of the meat processing facilities of the college. Plans for offering short courses or workshops on meat processing to LBHC students were being discussed. PD attended the FALCON Conference taking place in Washington D.C. at USDA. PD joined USDA agencies on an informational and networking tour, visiting Chief Dull Knife College, MSU Bozeman, Blackfeet Community College and Salish Kootenai College. Curricula development for the new animal science courses was started; these courses include: Economics of AG Business, Small Pasture Management, Western Equitation, Colt Breaking and Training, Specialized Horse Training. GHM attended a workshop on grasshopper control, offered by MSU Extension. She propagated seeds, gave away transplants to community members on a donation basis. PD conducted a student survey, regarding menu choices at the planned college cafeteria. Over 95 percent of the survey participants preferred traditional foods to be included in the menu, almost as many students would like fresh fruits and vegetables. PD planted native service berry shrubs on college grounds for demonstration purposes. OUTCOMES: In the fourth funding year, the AG program has begun to graduate students, who are continuing their education or are finding employment in their chosen field of interest. 5 to 7 new students have been recruited each semester. Nevertheless, the number of enrolled AG students has remained around 15. A few students graduated, some students withdrew out of academic, family or financial reasons. Instructors have effectively collaborated in their efforts to strengthen and enhance the program. They are increasingly integrating Crow cultural and tenure related aspects into their coursework. Networking and collaboration with various colleges has increased, benefitting the students and the program. The Equine Science instructor at MSU has offered to hold summer workshops in the Crow community. As a local high school is planning on revitalizing its AG program, PD has been approached for consulting purposes. An increasing number of stakeholders are actively getting involved in the further development of the program. Despite of the temporary setback, the horticulture project has drawn valuable positive feedback from students, who want to learn about gardening and healthy food production. Community members are missing their garden produce. The manager of the college cafeteria has inquired about the possibility of receiving vegetables from the garden; she is planning on offering organic foods in the long run. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Recruiting efforts have continued through ads in the local newspaper, at career fairs, high schools and rodeos. An article in the LBHC Extension Newsletter informed about the development of the degree program and the future plans of the horticulture project. Through the summer interns, a wider public gained knowledge of the degree program and its coursework. Elders have been invited to present on cultural components of traditional and contemporary food production. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Articulation agreements will be established with MSU Bozeman. 2 new added Animal Science options will be added to the 2011-2013 catalog. A new greenhouse manager will be employed part-time during the growing season. Because of the expressed interest, a goal is to involve more student interns and volunteers in the horticulture project. It is likely that with the exposure a few students will consider further education and a career in sustainable crop production. Stakeholder input has been very valuable for the development of the program; meetings will be held more often (3 to 4 times a year). LBHC will continue to seek the acquisition of suitable land for the establishment of an agricultural research and experimentation station. Competent instructors for the applied courses in horsemanship will be recruited. The cooperation with federal and tribal land management agencies will be increased to benefit the students and the program.
Impacts
Because LBHC is able to offer a program, which takes the needs of the Crow community into account, an increasing number of land owners, esp. the younger ones, have become interested in managing their own lands or enjoying greater benefits from their leases. The increased knowledge enables community members to utilize existing opportunities in the agricultural field. Potential market niches will be opened up.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
Due to a change in project management in September 1, 2008 the scope of work has changed in some areas. Former PD, V. Scott took on a research grant in order to complete her doctoral research on invasive woody species on the Crow reservation. Consequently the focus has shifted toward experiential learning and community advancement. 18 students are currently enrolled in the AG degree program; tuition assistance was provided to 11 students in 2008/2009 and 4 internships in the same period. 1 intern worked as a tutor specifically for AG students; 2 interns assisted in the greenhouse/garden project. 1 student has been accepted into the USDA/1994 Tribal Scholars Program. Recruitment has taken place through advertising in local newspapers, participating in Career Fairs, an information booth during the annual Crow Fair Rodeo, and through the AG programs and the Home Economics department at 3 local high schools; participants of the STEM Summer Honor Camp were introduced to the program. The greenhouse has been available for student coursework and associated labs. Since it is also set up for community outreach, the student interns could actively participate in that area. The interns propagated common garden seeds and seeds grown traditionally by the Hidatsa, a related tribe. The seeds had been saved from last season's test garden. The students assisted in establishing the teaching garden, utilizing both contemporary and traditional Hidatsa companion planting practices. In late May of 2009 the position of greenhouse manager was filled. In addition to maintaining the greenhouse and garden, the new GHM, D. Pretty Paint has been visually documenting the outreach component and the development of the garden. She designed signs in the Crow language depicting the various plants. She also initiated a plant sale in Crow Agency, which drew the interest of many community members. Students from the local elementary school (4 classes) and 2 groups of the LBHC Summer Reading Program visited the greenhouse. The 3rd grade students planted seeds and transplants in the square foot garden boxes, constructed by the summer intern. In July the tomato and bean plants showed severe tissue damage. According to the County Extension Agent, the damage is probably caused by a 2-4-D pesticide spraying, routinely carried out in Crow Agency and extended onto college grounds. Testing is underway. An Open (Green) House has not been held (detrimental weather conditions). Workshops pertaining to gardening and native foods have not yet been offered due to personnel shortage. Textbooks and instruction materials relating to Crow culture and history have been included in some classes (AG 132-buffalo migration and grazing patterns; SC 120-Crow Indian traditional food and medicinal plants). The objective to incorporate a course in land tenure into the curriculum has not been met due to personnel changes; nevertheless land tenure and management issues have been a topic in an ongoing series of workshops pertaining to socio-economic perspectives on the Crow reservation, geared at land owners, students and the general public. These workshops are for college credit and have been well attended. PRODUCTS: The greenhouse and the raised-bed teaching garden have been utilized for community outreach; internships in the horticulture project have been provided as an opportunity for experiential learning. Seeds were propagated; food plants were transplanted into the garden. Part of the garden has been designed following the traditional agriculture methods of the Hidatsa. Traditional seeds have been planted on hills in a circular manner using Hidatsa companion planting methods. Seeds of last year's harvest have been saved for future use. Sweetgrass had been planted in the fall of 2008 and is well established on the site; it will be harvested, braided and used for purification purposes; it also serves as a possible plant base for restoration of disturbed riparian and wetland ecosystems on the reservation. Signs in the Crow language designating the various plants have been created; they have been well received by children, high school students and adults alike. 4 Square Foot Garden boxes for use by the community have been constructed. A market garden stand was set up in Crow Agency as a test for future marketing strategies. A large sign (LBHC Agriculture Program) has been created by an LBHC student artist and will be set up in front of the greenhouse. In the fall of 2008 an AG Advisory Council meeting was held in conjunction with the LBHC Extension Service/MSU Bozeman, who conducted a SWOT analysis. Collaboration with the local high schools and regional four-year institutions has been increased for the purpose of recruiting and easy transfers. Networking with tribal entities has been expanded (i.e. with the Environmental Health Steering Committee). OUTCOMES: The networking activities at high school and university level have led to the conclusion that the incorporation of Crow traditional knowledge systems into the AG curriculum is an important means to increase the motivation and academic success of Crow students. The AG instructors of the various institutions were able to gain a greater understanding of the strengths and needs of their Native students; they wish to further expand the collaboration. After learning about the garden project, the Native American Curriculum Coordinator of an off-reservation high school expressed an interest in jointly developing a Hidatsa agriculture curriculum. Due to the growing visibility of the horticulture project with the centrally located greenhouse, a large number of community members have been acquainted with the program. They have been giving valuable input concerning community needs. A dialogue with the local contractor for vegetation control has started, concerning the application of various pesticides. Because the position of greenhouse manager could not be filled until the later part of May 2009, the student interns involved in the development of the horticulture project and its outreach component could see that their work contribution was truly needed. Realizing their impact on community advancement, they demonstrated a great sense of responsibility, support, creativity and problem solving skills. Students from other degree programs also volunteered to help. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A brochure promoting the degree program has been updated and revised. Recruiting efforts have continued at the various high schools, at rodeos, through ads in the local newspapers. An article has been published in the LBHC Extension Newsletter introducing the horticulture program. Classes from Crow Elementary School have been invited to learn about the garden and to actively participate. The market garden stand has been very successful in promoting gardening and healthy nutrition; a number of interested community members contacted us in order to buy more plants, put in requests for next year or inquire about nutrition issues. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The course: Functional Anatomy will be added in order to be able to offer another degree option: Animal Science. Articulation agreements with MSU Bozeman will be negotiated for all degree options. Land tenure course curriculum development will be continued. Crow traditional knowledge systems will be further incorporated into the curriculum. Formal and experiential learning opportunities will be increasingly connected. The nutritional contents of various traditional wild food plants will be researched. A greater variety of native plants will be grown for demonstration purposes. A favorable site for a community garden will be selected. The collaboration with the Environmental Health Steering Committee and other relevant tribal institutions will be intensified. Elders will be invited for the purpose of instruction. Expanding the AG program by establishing an agriculture research/experimental station is in the planning phases.
Impacts
By developing and implementing an AG curriculum that connects Crow traditional knowledge systems with Western science, LBHC is able to offer a program which takes into account the needs of the Crow community. The ties between the older and the younger generation will be strengthened by including Elders for instruction purposes. The students will be able to value cultural knowledge in its relevance to the 21st century (the agricultural expertise of the Hidatsa, nutritional and medicinal properties of native wild plants, the sustainability of traditional economy systems). The impact of the horticulture project on the community is already noticeable. Along with an increased access to fresh, seasonal foods on the reservation comes a greater awareness of healthy food choices, traditional and conventional. Existing economic opportunities in the agricultural field will be utilized and potential market niches will be opened up.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/08
Outputs
Student Development: Provided tuition assistance to 10 students in 2008. Internships were provided to 7 students in the same year. During internships, students work on local farms and ranches gaining practical experiences. Three of the interns who worked in the summer also recruited high school students at area career fairs. One class was taught in the fall semester and three were provided in the spring semester.Greenhouse/Extension component of Equity: PD petitioned and was later granted 25K from Big Horn County Commissioners for the purposes of constructing a teaching greenhouse on the campus of LBHC. Construction was finalized late fall 2007. The purpose of the greenhouse was to support plant based courses, as well as provide a setting for community outreach and education with regard to native plants and healthy diets/lifestyles. The greenhouse is also used to support native plant preservation through seed collection depository and distribution. A new greenhouse manager was hired in February of 2008. However, due to personnel issues, this employee was dismissed in mid-March and a new search for hiring a replacement was initiated. Birgit Graf was hired in June of 2008 as the new (GHM) greenhouse manager. GHM began assessing necessary equipment for the greenhouse operation and discovered that essential structural components were either missing (an automated temperature control system) or requiring repair (the cooling system). The emphasis therefore has been to establish a fully functioning greenhouse in order to make it available for instruction for the fall 08/spring 09 semesters; to prepare for responding to community needs (i.e. propogating vegetables for the 09 gardening season) and for growing native grasses and shrubs. Currently, an automated temperature control system has been purchased using recently awarded Equity funds. Warranty questions will need to be resolved at which point the repairs of the faulty cooling system can commence. Interns with new funding 08/09 will be required to assist GHM with repairs and garden preparation, as current maintenance employees have been involved with major construction sites/activities on campus.GHM has been preparing the site within the vicinity of the greenhouse for the purposes of planting a community garden. A plot next to the greenhouse has been selected as a raised-bed demonstration garden, which serves as a formal/informal educational tool. PRODUCTS: Internships were offered during the 08/09 academic year, as well as 3 summer internships for the purposes of supplementing course curriculum as well as providing research opportunities on local ecological impacts within the Crow reservation boundaries. An Ag Advisory panel was convened in the spring of 2008, in which local natural resource agencies as well as farmers/ranchers offered suggestions to improve or enhance the current ag curriculum. Faculty Development Faculty conducted research on reservation regarding invasive species. Research on cottonwood, an important native resource plant, was done regarding sustainability and harvesting around the Crow reservation. Collaborative Work: Entered an agreement between Little Big Horn College, Sheridan College and the University of Wyoming Ag Research Center to fund summer research internships (with focus on high school seniors) for the purpose of recruiting students to enroll in LBHC's Ag degree program in the fall. A total of 4 Native American (3 Crow, 1 Canadian First Nations) students participated (2 located in Sheridan, 2 at LBHC) for the summer research experience. Products included a proposal and poster for students to present at AIHEC meetings, etc. Equity funds were used to supplement the internships when funding was exhausted under the agreement with the above entities/institutions. OUTCOMES: Collaborative Work: Entered an agreement between Little Big Horn College, Sheridan College and the University of Wyoming Ag Research Center to fund summer research internships (with focus on high school seniors) for the purpose of recruiting students to enroll in LBHC's Ag degree program in the fall. A total of 4 Native American (3 Crow, 1 Canadian First Nations) students participated (2 located in Sheridan, 2 at LBHC) for the summer research experience. Products included a proposal and poster for students to present at AIHEC meetings, etc. Equity funds were used to supplement the internships when funding was exhausted under the agreement with the above entities/institutions. Completed tasks consist of the construction of a compost bin, a small shed for storage of soil medium, plant containers, tools and small machinery has been relocated to the immediate site of the greenhouse facility. The shed required repair, including stabilization and re-painting. A site has been prepared and for the planting of sweetgrass, obtained in the spring from the USDA Bridger Plant Center. A test garden (outside the grounds) has been established in collaboration with the Tribal History Project at LBHC containing culturally and historically significant traditional vegetables including beans, corn and squash raised from seeds obtained from the Tribal History Project Coordinator. GHM strengthened valuable contacts with county commissioners, county extension agents, various greenhouse operations, local school teachers, and current students. The community in general has expressed a deep interest in participation of garden and native plant activities. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Two newspaper articles were published in spring of 2008. The first article discussed the construction of the new greenhouse on the campus of LBHC, and was titled "Greenhouse is more than just a place to grow plants" emphasizing that although the greenhouse will be used to supplement plant based course instruction, the purpose is to bring the community together for the purposes of education and promotion of healthy eating lifestyles, and culturally important native plants. In addition, the agricultural degree program was established in order to increase the number of Crow farmers/ranchers and influence Crow land owners in general to take back their leases in an effort to improve the overall economic well being of the Crow community in general. FUTURE INITIATIVES: GHM has been preparing the site within the vicinity of the greenhouse for the purposes of planting a community garden. A plot next to the greenhouse has been selected as a raised-bed demonstration garden, which serves as a formal/informal educational tool. Completed tasks consist of the construction of a compost bin, a small shed for storage of soil medium, plant containers, tools and small machinery has been relocated to the immediate site of the greenhouse facility. The shed required repair, including stabilization and re-painting. A site has been prepared and for the planting of sweetgrass, obtained in the spring from the USDA Bridger Plant Center. A test garden (outside the grounds) has been established in collaboration with the Tribal History Project at LBHC containing culturally and historically significant traditional vegetables including beans, corn and squash raised from seeds obtained from the Tribal History Project Coordinator. GHM strengthened valuable contacts with county commissioners, county extension agents, various greenhouse operations, local school teachers, and current students. The community in general has expressed a deep interest in participation of garden and native plant activities. Plans for the immediate future include holding an Open House (weather permitting in late September/early October) and inviting community members, including Tribal and county officials, local schools and students at LBHC. Communication of this event will be advertised in the local papers, and all parties will be encouraged to use the greenhouse. A gardening program will be officially introduced in the spring and workshops on square foot gardening will be presented, with special focus on youth. The demonstration garden will serve as a community garden for those individuals, who lack the space, time or confidence in preparing individual gardens.
Impacts
Greenhouse completed in fall of 2007. The first Associates of Science in Agriculture student completed the degree program at LBHC in the spring of 08. In addition, this same student was accepted into a four-year degree program at Montana State University, Bozeman to complete her four-year degree in agriculture education.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/06 to 08/31/07
Outputs
During the first year of said grant, funding for academic student support and internships were the priority. As of the end of the first semester of the program (fall 2006) the program had 9 students majoring in Rangeland Ecology and Management. Activities throughout the first year of the current grant are listed below by category. Faculty Development: PD Enrolled in a statistics course (online) ST511 (includes SAS software program) through Colorado State University in order to increase teaching capabilities for agriculture courses and encourage students to begin utilizing statistics for research and publication purposes. PD is currently preparing a manuscript for American Indian Quarterly journal with an LBHC student as co-author, regarding land tenure issues in Crow country. Five students were also provided travel funds to attend the IAC/INCA Symposium held in December 2006 in Las Vegas. PD traveled to IAC/INCA symposium in December 06 to obtain information regarding
the new Farm Bill. PD also attended Tribal College Forum V in Bismarck with the group Nativeview, which was formed by UTTC for the purposes of empowering and training Tribal communities to utilize GIS technology in order to effectively manage natural resources. PD traveled to Bozeman Montana for an Indian Land Tenure Foundation meeting regarding new Indian Probate Reform Act and its effects on agricultural lands and ownership rights. PD traveled to Colorado State University to meet with Dr. George Beck, Extension Agent and Weed management specialist regarding the planning and development of a Weed Management Plan (BMP) for the Crow Tribal EPA office. PD met with three farmers/ranchers (Crow Tribal members) to negotiate agreements for student interns on their respective ranches. As a result, 3 students were provided with paid internships during the fall/spring academic year to work on local ranches. PD met with Crow Tribal EPA non-point source coordinator to develop an MOU with the
Tribe for the purposes of conducting field research and writing a comprehensive weed management plan for specific areas designated by the tribe as "at risk" agricultural land. PD hired under contract the former Big Horn County extension agent paid under an existing grant for the purposes of conducting a survey of desired courses/workshops on agriculture within the tribal community. Analysis of said survey and report is forthcoming. PD met with Dr. Scott Moss, and Jim Bennage (University of Wyoming Ag Research Station Sheridan, and Agriculture Program Department Chair, Sheridan College respectively) to cooperate in obtaining a USDA grant for recruiting local high school seniors by providing a paid internship to conduct research on the reservation. An MOU is currently in process, as funding will not be effective until summer 08. PD met with Chuck Holloway, Sheridan College Greenhouse/Horticulture Instructor for consulting purposes on the purchase of a new greenhouse for LBHC. PD
contacted and negotiated course materials for teaching agriculture courses from professor Bok Sowell at Montana State University, Bozeman.
PRODUCTS: Brochures and posters, textbooks and lab manuals for agriculture courses, greenhouse general supplies; statistics software package (SYSTAT) is currently being purchased to enhance teaching and student learning for all agriculture courses. Landscaping supplies for campus native garden were purchased in the spring of 07.
OUTCOMES: A horsemanship workshop was held in Sheridan, Wyoming by world renowned horse trainer Benny Reynolds (this program provided the funds for the workshop). PD taught a 3-credit course in the summer of 07 (Tree Biology) due to shortage in teaching staff able to teach courses for a group of students needing to graduate by end of summer 07 semester. PD will be teaching new agriculture course, AG 230 Natural Resource Ecology PD wrote and presented proposal for funding of new greenhouse to Coal Board in November, 2006 (denied), but then later met with Big Horn County Board of Commissioners (again) to request funding for the greenhouse construction located on campus (awarded in January). LBHC was notified that the county would be providing 25K towards the purchase and construction of the greenhouse, with the LBHC providing some in-kind services for specific expenditures. LBHC agreed that the greenhouse would serve extension/community needs such as preparing vegetables to promote
healthy eating habits within the Crow community, as well as county-wide initiatives to prepare grounds for gardens in the spring, provide hands-on experience for local primary and secondary schools within the county. A position has been developed for a part-time greenhouse manager/extension specialist to begin with new funding September 1, 2007. PD wrote a research proposal to American Indian College Fund (faculty development) and was awarded $3,250.00 in August 2007 for conducting ethnographic research within the Crow Tribal Community regarding traditional use of native woody plants that are currently threatened by invasive species. PD met with recently hired Academic Dean Frederica Lefthand, regarding program curriculum and the publication of new catalog for the academic years 2007-09. Since the agriculture curriculum was written initially (fall 05) to follow the Range and Animal Sciences program at Montana State University, Bozeman, MSU has made minor changes to their required
2-year coursework, and thus the development of 3 new courses was required (AG 240, 230, 101). In addition, LBHC has recently changed the AS degree to reflect the program title of Agriculture: Rangeland Ecology and Management. The shift in paradigm from the study of agriculture practices and management in isolation from natural resources conservation has necessitated a change in focus within the curriculum throughout all rangeland/agriculture programs and universities.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: PD provided funding and support for the annual Crow Land Symposium, held in February 2007.PD placed informational articles, ads and developed brochures and posters for dissemination purposes throughout the Crow reservation. PD met with current students during fall of 2006 who were members of the Rodeo Club to recruit students into the program (this added 5 students to those majoring in agriculture). Prior to the new program funding under a previous CSREES Equity Grant (2005-38421-55917), recruitment activities began with an information booth at the Crow Fair Rodeo grounds, as well as information ads placed in local newspapers, and announcements before the Tribal Administration and Legislation Branch. The academic year beginning in fall 07 included PSA preparation and announcements through the local country western station. Posters and brochures were designed and printed for dissemination throughout the Crow Tribal community, and for display purposes at the
college and at Crow Fair Rodeo.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: PD met with recently hired Academic Dean Frederica Lefthand, regarding program curriculum and the publication of new catalog for the academic years 2007-09. Since the agriculture curriculum was written initially fall 05 to follow the Range and Animal Sciences program at Montana State University, Bozeman, MSU has made minor changes to their required 2-year coursework, and thus the development of 3 new courses was required AG 240, 230, 101. In addition, LBHC has recently changed the AS degree to reflect the program title of Agriculture: Rangeland Ecology and Management. The shift in paradigm from the study of agriculture practices and management in isolation from natural resources conservation has necessitated a change in focus within the curriculum throughout all rangeland/agriculture programs and universities. Student recruitment activities will include visits to local area high schools, an open house invitation during the grand opening of the greenhouse, as well
as public announcements through radio and newspaper advertisements. Research will consist of field and ethnographic field work with student interns regarding the effects of agriculture on culturally significant plant species. To incorporate Crow Culture into the curriculum, all plant/rangeland courses will be required to use our local plant expert's recently published book 'A taste of heritage' Crow Indian Recipes & Herbal Medicines' by Alma Hogan Snell. Ms. Snell is our local cultural plant expert and well respected elder. These rangeland courses will require students to identify 20 of the most important plants used by the Crow people, as well as indicate the plant's uses utilizing this important publication. In addition, students will be required to take (as a core course)AG 135, Horse in Crow Culture. Economic Impact Study, objective not met for the following reasons: President/Deans and BOT requested that the study include all LBHC programs, not just agriculture, thus we are
working internally to identify project directors, assign responsibilities, etc. However, we have identified a publication that will be used in tandem with the overall goal of the entire college to identify economic impacts with the USDA published report (2002 Agriculture Census for Indian Nations) for the state of Montana in general, and within the boundaries of the Crow Reservation. In addition, an informal survey was conducted in the fall of 2006 to identify educational needs (agriculture related and extension) of the community (report forthcoming).
Impacts
Increased number of students by continuing recruitment activities, providing student funding opportunities. Develop short course/certificate programs for those interested in taking over their own land leases for farming/ranching operations. Develop extension component through the use of newly constructed greenhouse by offering spring vegetables (greenhouse serves as a seed bank) and assistance in planting gardens, especially for our youth and elders in the community. Continue to develop research/internship opportunities for those students interested in working with the Tribe in developing and implementing BMP and a comprehensive weed management plan. Invite local Crow farmers/ranchers to serve as guest lecturers for all ag-related coursework. Apply for additional grant monies to continue to build the agriculture infrastructure (i.e. college ranch, ag research station, etc.).
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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