Progress 07/01/05 to 06/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: There were six goals for this project: 1. Improving livestock through improved genetics. Initial two project directors synchronized and inseminated 5 local herds of cattle each with about 20 head. The last 2 years we synchronized and naturally bred 4 cattle rancher association's herds each with about 300 head each. 2. Improving marketing strategies. Tribal producers were encouraged to form associations. As a result of this cooperation, 120 producers from 4 associations marketed their value-added calves nationwide via video-auction and through local quality-assured calf sales. 3. Development of an animal resource center for community access. Initiated a local Navajo radio show focusing on a variety of veterinary and agriculture-related topics. Estimated listening audience of 100,000 people. Also offered a 2 week long low-cost spay and neuter clinic for the past 3 years. 4. Will train Navajo Technical College (NTC) students and interested producers. NTC students participated in all levels of the project. These students are studying veterinary technology, pre-veterinary medicine, information technology and natural resources. There are plans of offering more agriculture-related courses in the future. 5. Provide area producers with linkages to other state and federal programs and assistance from major land-grant institutions. Facilitated workshops that involved tribal, state and federal agricultural programs offering producers assistance. Worked closely with major land-grant institution in New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. Worked with each other's extension programs, shared each other's faculty and supported each other in applying for grants. 6. Facilitated regional Native American producer workshops and conferences. Twice a year NTC, Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, and the University of Arizona sponsored the "Rez to Rail" livestock workshop for native ranchers statewide. Sponsored a holistic horse-care workshop for students and area producers. Participated in an area Emergency Management workshop, presenting zoonotic disease topics. PARTICIPANTS: Employees of the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture; John Blueyes, Alton Henderson, Grey Farrell, Jr., Fritz Roanhorse, Ray Costello. Faculty of the University of Arizona; Dr. Peder Cuneo, Dr. Russell Tronstad, Dr. Bob Kattnig, Dr. John Marchello, Dr. Dave Schaefer, Dr. Joe Hiller. Eastern Navajo Agency Emergency Management office, personnel from the BIA Nature Resources office; Herb Holgate, Effie Delmar, Kent Greymountain, Casey Francisco, area NRCS office employee Aaron Hurd, Navajo Agriculture Products Industry personnel Tsosie Lewis, Harold Dodge. All participants especially the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture employees and the University of Arizona faculty help in training procedure, facilitated resources and supported project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences were initially ranchers in the immediate area. Eventually we spread throughout the Navajo Nation and finally to neighboring native tribes; Hopi, San Carlos Apaches, White Mountain Apaches, Laguna -Acoma, Jicarilla Apaches, Tohono O'odham and Paiutes. The young were also targeted, be it here at NTC or anywhere we did our seminars. Presentations were usually in the native language and in English. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Major changes initiated was expanding the project to the whole Navajo Nation not just to the Eastern Agency. Got involvement of the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture and the land grant college of Arizona (UofA). Reasons for modification; Trying to get a more critical mass to illicit agricultural change on the Navajo Nation. Reach out to Navajo Nation high schools to try to spark an interest in the young to think about continuing a career in Agriculture.
Impacts
With knowledge gained from teaching both the young and old best practices in animal husbandry, rangeland management and improved livestock marketing, we foresee the Navajo Nation and area native tribes working together for a profitable agricultural future. Evaluations were done by rancher's livestock records, an essential part of best practices in animal husbandry. Navajo Technical College (NTC), as a land-grant college, has a broad reputation for training veterinary technicians and leading the trends for land, animal, and resource management on the Navajo Nation. One of their strategic initiatives is the continuation of the highly successful "Navajo Beef" program, run by NTC, Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, and the University of Arizona. This has also enabled conversations and long range plans. One such plan is development of a "Cattleman's College" program at NTC where community education is offered both face-to-face and on the internet. Ranching related topics will be the focus, where participants can get certificates in college credit. This program could be taught in English or Navajo
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/01/05 to 06/30/06
Outputs
Looking to serve the needs of the Navajo people, we employ the skills and knowledge of indigenous and Western experts to assess, plan, implement, and improve the quality of our research and education for agriculture, the environment, human and community health and well-being. This project continues to deal with disadvantaged livestock producers on the Eastern Navajo Agency, and addresses economic and community development issues facing this specific population. The hope of increased capacity at Navajo Technical College through the addition of a regional conference and resource center will provide a gathering place for area farmers and ranchers to receive the training and support necessary to maintain the pastoral lifestyle of the Navajo culture. The project continues to provide educational and training opportunities for students, providing vital linkages to many community leaders and collaborative learning opportunities.
PRODUCTS: 1) The project trained NTC and other students in applied Animal Science. Inputs. Dean of Students, Tom Davis Outputs. Navajo Technical College students participated in all levels of the project. These students are studying veterinary technology, veterinary medicine (professional school externs), information technology and natural resources. 2) The project provided area producers with linkages to other state and federal programs and assistance from major land grant institutions. Inputs. Participated in numerous workshops and meetings with Extension specialists from University of Arizona and NMSU, agency personal from BIA and NRCS, Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, Dine Ranchers, and NAPI leadership. Outputs. Conversations and early planning with these stakeholders included discussions about the vertical integration of native cattle from calf to cooler. Aggressive nutrition and genetic improvement, as well as appropriate and innovative marketing are necessary for a
successful animal agriculture industry on the Navajo Nation.
OUTCOMES: Navajo Technical College's Veterinary Sciences Program has a broad reputation for training veterinary technicians and leading the trends for Land, Animal, and Resource Management in the Navajo Nation. One of their strategic initiatives is the continuation of the highly successful Navajo Beef program, run by the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, University of Arizona, the Dine Ranchers Association, and the Navajo Technical College. This intensive management program involves ranchers and cattle on the Western side of the Navajo Nation and is expanding to the Eastern Navajo Nation. This project has enabled conversations and long range planning. One particular plan being developed is a Cattleman's College program at Navajo Technical College (or Rancher's College) where community education is offered both face-to-face and via the Internet. Ranching related topics will be the focus, where participants can get certificates or college credit. This program could be taught in
English or Navajo.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The project produced regional Indian producer workshops and conferences. Inputs. Meetings with Chapter Houses, schools, and livestock producer meetings Outputs. Each year for three years, the Navajo Technical College, Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, and the University of Arizona sponsor a "Rez to Rail" workshop for 2 weeks. Ranchers attend and learn about intensive management methods as well as the goals and practices of Beef Quality Assurance. Outcomes-Impacts. With a focus on best practices in rangeland management, cattle, breeding, vaccinations, deferred grazing, and other issues leading to Beef Quality Assurance, the long range benefit of this project is better utilization of Navajo land and resources in the Nation.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Small herds of cattle and family flocks of sheep and goats are the primary agricultural crops for the Navajo reservation and its 280,000 people. Eighty percent of them are below the national poverty level. These livestock producers need to become informed businesspeople to improve their agricultural system.
Impacts
1) The project improved livestock through improved genetics. Inputs. Worked with local ranchers association. Outputs. Synchronized two herds of cattle in hopes of uniforming their calf crop. 2) The project created marketing strategies for both NTC and a Regional Animal Resource Center. Inputs. Navajo Nation Dept. of Agriculture Outputs. The cattle that were bred were marketed the "old" way (local auctions and bordertown facilities). The producers were convened and invited to form an association with the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture. As a result of this cooperation, 40 producers will be marketing their calves together via video-auction, nationwide. 3) The project developed an Animal Resource Center for community access and information dispersal. Inputs. Worked with Eastern Navajo Agency (public communication office and Emergency Awareness program). Outputs. The project provided the following community resources. 1. Offered a Holistic Horse Seminar (series of
workshops) 2. Continuation of the popular Navajo Radio show focusing on a variety of Navajo Agricultural related topics. (Show offered in Navajo) 3. Participated in Eastern Agency Emergency Awareness Conference 4. Offered a week long free spay and neuter clinic summer of 2007.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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