Progress 05/01/09 to 04/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The focus this period has been on youth within the reservation. There are two schools on the reservation, an elementary school and a head start school. Healthy eating habits established early and growing healthy food has been the focus on this group. Both locations now have established gardens and groves for teaching healthy eating and the value and reward of growing food to eat. We have had opportunity to teach good hygiene with washing hands after time in the gardens. The future is in the hands of youth. There are now four gardens on the CRIT reservation and the scope of gardening has expanded to include a fruit grove that will be available for educational efforts. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has given us the opportunity to have a continuing relationship with tribal clients and has much more value when we have a longer period to establish a trusted working relationship. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Attend monthly meetings of irrigators on the CRIT reservation. There are 54 growers representing both tribal and non-tribal growers and includes tribal council members and representatives from BIA. These meetings provide the opportunity to see the needs and interests of all. Cooperating with NRCS, valley irrigators, AZ. Western College, Bureau of Reclamation a new training course was developed for training applicants for the position of irrigator [ditch rider] with BIA. Eleven applicants finished the three day course which took place in April 2014. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the next reporting period the gardening effort at Le Pera elementary school will be expanded to include education on seed harvesting, cleaning, testing for seed viability and marketing. The ditch rider course will be refined and improved to train applicants to become hire eligible and help fill the shortage of positions with emphases on hiring CRIT members. This irrigation system is entirely within the CRIT reservation boundary. Will continue to seek tour opportunities for students to learn more about the reservation they live on and the opportunities for future employment within reservation boundary. Continue to teach food safety and proper hygiene to all interested clients. Encouraging healthier food choices to help prevent diseases, particularly diabetes.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the term of this grant we have established 4 school and community gardens and teach from all locations. The garden at Le Pera Elementary school is in the fourth year and has grown to include 60 fruit trees providing an expanded teaching opportunity. Because of interest in this garden we were able to help secure a grant of $2,000 dollars from Pacific Gas and Electric in 2013. In addition, irrigators on reservation land donated $2,500 to install an irrigation turnout for the garden in 2013. Because of this effort there have now been eight companies and farmers donating supplies and tillage at the garden. This has become a real community wide effort. The garden boxes at CRIT head start has provided the opportunity to teach nutrition and hygiene to children at the school.
Publications
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Progress 05/01/12 to 04/30/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Program adjustments as described below were made to meet needs identified in the 2012 needs assessment. AGRICULTURE: Weekly Early-season Small Grains and Cotton Planting Advisories were sent to growers to provide information on pre-planting field care and crop planting. Mid-Season Advisories shifted to Cotton Development and Cotton Heat Stress advisories which assisted growers in making critical and timely management decisions throughout the growing season. AG PRODUCTION WORKSHOPS: 165 growers and farm service providers attended 5 Crop and Pest Management Workshops and 1 Pesticide Safety and Training Workshop: to learn from 8 different visiting campus specialists. Topics included: Growing Season forecasts & planting date management for cotton; Cotton seedling diseases; Insect control in alfalfa & cotton crops; Using GPS for pesticide application; Irrigation Management; Adjuvants & Pesticide Safety; Biological Control of Weeds; IPM methods for enhancing native predators; Climate & weather impacts on agriculture; Control of salt cedar; and other pest control methods.. HORTICULTURE: Work continues with the Tribal Community Garden, the FFA garden and the Le Pera Elementary Garden, including the improved irrigation system feeding the Le Pera Garden. 6,564 youth and adult educational contacts were made through: the 12 week MG Class, 7 Garden Days, 7 Garden Topic Workshops, 9 Le Pera Elementary School Educational Garden days, 4 La Paz County Fair Days, 11 Radio/TV interviews, 3 local rotary presentations, and 2 continuing education tours. Garden workshop topics included Rose care, pruning, Coping with desert heat, and Fall & winter gardening. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES (FCS) The FSC program was reinstated in mid to late 2012 and work will start to take place in 2013. 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT There was not a 4H agent in 2012. FRTEP agent supervised all 4-H at the fair. The agent spent 4 days at the indoor 4-H booth answering questions and recruiting new youth and volunteers. 91 Youth entered 136 educational projects in the 2012 La Paz County Fair. This represents a 15% increase in the number of 4-H youth and a 15% increase in the number of educational projects entered in the Fair. PARTICIPANTS: AGRICULTURE: A total of 8 different University Specialists traveled from campus or other locations to the CRIT reservation to provide the latest updates for crop management, pest management, climate information and water conservation. The agent continues to partner with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Reclamation and CRIT Water Resources on issues related to irrigation water measurement (This is an on-going project from previous years). HORTICULTURE. In 2012, The Master Gardener program partnered with the Le Pera Elementary school and the USDA Natural Resource Development Council continue to improve the 2 community gardens. The USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs, the CRIT Library and Recreation facilities and the Parker Library provided classroom space and facilities for workshops. The CRIT Tribal farm, local Ag enterprises and individual farmers contributed farm equipment and time to prepare the Le Pera Elementary School Garden. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Partners in this program include CRIT Recreation, CRIT Diabetes, CRIT Senior Center and Parker Schools who provided volunteers, materials, collaboration on program presentation and classroom facilities. TARGET AUDIENCES: AGRICULTURE: The target audience for the CRIT Agriculture program includes the CRIT Tribal council, CRIT Farms, native and non-native farm lessees (growers) crop advisors and Ag industry personnel. Goals are to provide technical assistance and University research-based information to this group so that they, collectively and individually, will be able to increase crop production, decrease operational costs, and operate in an environmentally sound manner. Ideally, the entire farming community will work together to manage and improve upon irrigation water use, pesticide and herbicide applications, and other farming practices. HORTICULTURE: The target audience for Horticulture includes anyone interested in gardening in our low desert environment. The program continues to be successful in recruiting students for the 12 week Master Gardener course from the CRIT Ahakhav Preserve, CRIT Environmental Protection Agency, and other Tribal, County and Town Government departments who work directly on tree health, gardens, landscaping and native plants. A new emphasis on home & community gardens is targeting youth of all ages and Tribal adults/elders in new home and community garden ventures. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Currently being revised by the new personnel 4H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Numerous studies have shown that youth who participate in the 4H Youth Development program are better prepared for a productive future by teaching leadership, conflict resolution, communication, self-confidence, the ability to make healthy choices, responsibility, and ethics. Our program targets all youth in the community with the goal to improve life on the Reservation by raising awareness of its youth. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: AGRICULTURE: 2012, was a transition year as the former FRTEP agent and County Director Linda Masters retired. Although many activities were scaled back, Lyle Browning has continued many of the activities and is now the acting FRTEP agent for the CRIT Project. HORTICULTURE: The successful partnership with the Le Pera Elementary school continues to provide gardening, food safety and safe food handling education. The partnership with the USDA Resource Conservation Development Council also continues with efforts to develop and expand the community garden in response to Tribal member input. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: This program was only partially funded by the FRTEP grant. The balance of financial support for this position was lost when the current instructional specialist quit in March 2011 and contributing county funds were cut. The project is now on hold. 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: No major modifications were made to the 4-H program in 2012 and the success of the new format requiring indoor projects from all youth bringing an animal to fair continues to grow. Emphasis on additional 4-H Leader training opportunities is planned for 2013. The agent will be working more closely with volunteer leaders, parents and youth to insure that projects maximize learning experiences and that youth meet national 4-H goals during community events and workshops.
Impacts
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. Gardening workshops continued at the CRIT library with increased focusing on Tribal gardening issues. AGRICULTURE: Following the 2012 Ag workshops and Pesticide Safety Training, participants indicated that they increased their knowledge by an average of 40% in the areas of: Crop & Pest Management. 100% of attendees stated that information provided at the workshops will help them on their farm or at their job. 100% of those surveyed stated that they learned new information that will improve or change the way they do their job/run their farm HORTICULTURE: Participation in the Native American Community Garden and personal interviews with Tribal members showed that Tribal members continue to be interested in home and community gardening education. 95% of those interviewed want to see an increase in the growing and use of traditional foods. At the request of the school, additional classes at the higher grades (up through grade 7) were conducted. The High School and Community gardens that were developed in partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Development council continue to expand including the introduction of new traditional crops. La Paz County Master Gardeners reported 3700 volunteer hours - an estimated value of $74000.00 (using $20./hr) FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: This program is now back and just getting things running. 4H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: 91 Youth entered 136 projects in the 2012 La Paz County Fair; a 15% increase from the year before. The quality of projects also improved in this forth year of the new project requirements. Every youth who enters an animal in the County Fair must also enter an educational project showing what they have learned. Extension Board members, and County and Tribal leaders expressed their appreciation for the turn-around in indoor project participation and for being able to clearly see the many benefits that 4-H has to offer its youth.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 05/01/11 to 04/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Program adjustments as described below were made to meet needs identified in the 2010 needs assessment. AGRICULTURE: Weekly Early-season Small Grains and Cotton Planting Advisories were sent to growers to provide information on pre-planting field care and crop planting. Mid-Season Advisories shifted to Cotton Development and Cotton Heat Stress advisories which assisted growers in making critical and timely management decisions throughout the growing season. 17 Additional Ag publications and fact sheets were distributed as they were received from campus authors. Cotton Variety trials continued with 9 new cotton varieties being tested on the CRIT Tribal Farm. AG PRODUCTION WORKSHOPS: 201 growers and farm service providers attended 4 Crop and Pest Management Workshops and 1 Pesticide Safety and Training Workshop: to learn from 18 different visiting campus specialists. Topics included: Growing Season forecasts & planting date management for cotton; Cotton seedling diseases; Insect control in alfalfa & cotton crops; Using GPS for pesticide application; Irrigation Management; Adjuvants & Pesticide Safety; Biological Control of Weeds; IPM methods for enhancing native predators; Farm economics; Climate & weather impacts on agriculture; Control of salt cedar; and other pest control methods.. HORTICULTURE: The 2010 Needs assessment identified the four most requested program sub-areas. They are: Community & School Gardens, Desert Hardy Plants, Native Plants, and Landscaping. In response, the Tribal Community Garden was finished, the FFA garden was prepared and the scope of the Le Pera Elementary Garden was broadened to include older youth. 3 workshops were held that addressed the use of desert hardy plants and their care at different times of year. 6,564 youth and adult educational contacts were made through: the 12 week MG Class, 7 Garden Days, 7 Garden Topic Workshops, 9 Le Pera Elementary School Educational Garden days, 4 La Paz County Fair Days, 11 Radio/TV interviews, 3 local rotary presentations, and 2 continuing education tours. Garden workshop topics included Rose care, pruning, Coping with desert heat, and Fall & winter gardening. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES (FCS) The FSC program was suspended in 2011 due to budget cuts and loss of personnel. A recently received grant should allow reinstatement in October of 2012. 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Agent partnered with County 4-H Agent by overseeing 4-H indoor projects. The agent spent 4 days at the indoor 4-H booth answering questions and recruiting new youth and volunteers. 77 Youth entered 119 educational projects in the 2011 La Paz County Fair. This represents a 12% increase in the number of 4-H youth and a 70% increase in the number of educational projects entered in the Fair. PARTICIPANTS: AGRICULTURE: A total of 18 different University Specialists traveled from campus or other locations to the CRIT reservation to provide the latest updates for crop management, pest management, climate information and water conservation. The agent continues to partner with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Reclamation and CRIT Water Resources on issues related to irrigation water measurement (This is an on-going project from previous years). HORTICULTURE. In 2011, The Master Gardener program partnered with the Le Pera Elementary school and the USDA Natural Resource Development Council to implement 2 new community gardens. The USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs, the CRIT Library and Recreation facilities and the Parker Library provided classroom space and facilities for workshops. The CRIT Tribal farm, local Ag enterprises and individual farmers contributed farm equipment and time to prepare the Le Pera Elementary School Garden. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Partners in this program include CRIT Recreation, CRIT Diabetes, CRIT Senior Center and Parker Schools who provided volunteers, materials, collaboration on program presentation and classroom facilities. TARGET AUDIENCES: AGRICULTURE: The target audience for the CRIT Agriculture program includes the CRIT Tribal council, CRIT Farms, native and non-native farm lessees (growers) crop advisors and Ag industry personnel. Goals are to provide technical assistance and University research-based information to this group so that they, collectively and individually, will be able to increase crop production, decrease operational costs, and operate in an environmentally sound manner. Ideally, the entire farming community will work together to manage and improve upon irrigation water use, pesticide and herbicide applications, and other farming practices. HORTICULTURE: The target audience for Horticulture includes anyone interested in gardening in our low desert environment. The program continues to be successful in recruiting students for the 12 week Master Gardener course from the CRIT Ahakhav Preserve, CRIT Environmental Protection Agency, and other Tribal, County and Town Government departments who work directly on tree health, gardens, landscaping and native plants. A new emphasis on home & community gardens is targeting youth of all ages and Tribal adults/elders in new home and community garden ventures. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: While this program was suspended in 2011, a new grant should allow the program to be reinstated in October 2012. Anyone interested in healthy lifestyles is welcome at our FCS workshops. The program provides a holistic approach to healthy lifestyles including safe food handling, healthy diets, and physical activity workshops. 4H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Numerous studies have shown that youth who participate in the 4H Youth Development program are better prepared for a productive future by teaching leadership, conflict resolution, communication, self-confidence, the ability to make healthy choices, responsibility, and ethics. Our program targets all youth in the community with the goal to improve life on the Reservation by raising awareness of its youth. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: AGRICULTURE: In 2011, the focus of the Ag program continued to provide educational opportunities in the areas of crop, pest and water management. Information was collected at all workshops to fine tune future educational needs. In addition to these surveys, 6 pest control advisors participated in the annual Cotton Crop Losses Workshop to provide input to the agent and campus specialists that will form the basis for planning future workshops and research projects. HORTICULTURE: The successful partnership with the Le Pera Elementary school continues to provide gardening, food safety and safe food handling education. The partnership with the USDA Resource Conservation Development Council also continues with efforts to develop and expand the community garden in response to Tribal member input. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: This program was only partially funded by the FRTEP grant. The balance of financial support for this position was lost when the current instructional specialist quit in March 2011 and contributing county funds were cut. The project is now on hold. 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: No major modifications were made to the 4-H program in 2011 and the success of the new format requiring indoor projects from all youth bringing an animal to fair continues to grow. Emphasis on additional 4-H Leader training opportunities is planned for 2012. The agent will be working more closely with volunteer leaders, parents and youth to insure that projects maximize learning experiences and that youth meet national 4-H goals during community events and workshops.
Impacts
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. Seven Gardening workshops were held at the CRIT library with some focusing specifically on Tribal gardening issues. Evaluations showed that 90% of attendees learned techniques that increased garden success by as much as 30% even during the hot desert season. AGRICULTURE: Following the 2011 Ag workshops and Pesticide Safety Training, a combination of Lickert & Borich survey questions showed that farmers increased their knowledge by an average of 33% in the areas of: Crop & Pest Management. 100% of attendees stated that information provided at the workshops will help them on their farm or at their job. 100% of those surveyed stated that they learned new information that will improve or change the way they do their job/run their farm HORTICULTURE: Participation in the Native American Community Garden and personal interviews with Tribal members showed that Tribal members are interested in home and community gardening education. 95% of those interviewed want to see an increase in the growing and use of traditional foods. Responses to oral questions to K - 4th graders demonstrated that the Le Pera elementary school garden has introduced a whole new generation to gardening and food production and has introduced them to new fruits/vegetables that were previously not in their diet. More classes from higher grades (up through grade 7) were made in response to requests from the school. The High School and Community gardens that were developed in partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Development council were completed and 7 Tribal families planted their garden areas in the spring. According to Borich scale surveys, Tribal clientele increased knowledge in the areas of: water conservation, integrated pest management fruit & vegetable production and vertebrate pests by at least 30% and up to 98% on specific topics. Post workshop surveys showed that existing Master Gardeners attending continuing education all agreed that the courses increased their knowledge by at least another 15 - 35% and that the material presented will help them support our program as volunteers. La Paz County Master Gardeners reported 3046 volunteer hours - an estimated value of $59,346 (using $19.48/hr) FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Plans to restart the program in October 2012 are made. 4H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: 77 Youth entered 119 projects in the 2010 La Paz County Fair - a 70% increase from the year before. The quality of projects also improved in this third year of the new project requirements - Every youth who enters an animal in the County Fair must also enter an educational project showing what they have learned. Extension Board members, and County and Tribal leaders expressed their appreciation for the turn-around in indoor project participation and for being able to clearly see the many benefits that 4-H has to offer its youth.
Publications
- Tuttle, S., Martinez, C., Masters, L., Uhlman, K., Waits, J., Farrell, G., Adolf, M. 2011. Are Participatory Methods of Extension Education Sustainable Journal of International Agricultural Extension Education, 18 (2). Peer-reviewed. http://www.aiaee.org/attachments/article/1405/Vol-18-2.pdf Published. (15%).
- Masters, L. 2011. Reference sheet for WCRME Native American Grant Reviewers/Grant Applicants. Peer-reviewed. Two grant funded fact sheets for the Western Center for Risk Management Education. One for Grant Reviewers and a second for Native American Grant Applicants with a goal towards improving Native American success with WCRME grants by providing grant requirement guidelines to applicants and information to Grant reviewers to help them understand the unique situations found on Indian Reservations. Presented at Anchorage, Alaska on 8/21/2011. (80%).
- Tuttle, S., Martinez, C., Masters, L., Benally, J., Livingston, M., and Alden, E. 2011 Methodology and Techniques of Participatory and Extension Development Projects. (In Press). Peer-reviewed. Paper accepted for presentation at the 2012 Association of International Agricultural Extension Education Conference. Bangkok, Thailand. Approved. (15%).
- Tuttle, S., Martinez, C., Masters, L., Benally, J., Livingston, M., and Alden, E. 2011 History, Origins, Methodology and Techniques of Participatory and Extension Development Projects. . Peer-reviewed. (In Press) Accepted for presentation at the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) Conference. Park City, Utah. In Press. (15%).
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Progress 05/01/10 to 04/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: A comprehensive needs assessment survey was conducted in 2010. AGRICULTURE: Weekly Early-season Small Grains and Cotton Planting Advisories were sent to growers to provide information on pre-planting field care and crop planting. Mid-Season Advisories shifted to Cotton Development and Cotton Heat Stress advisories which assisted growers in making critical and timely management decisions throughout the growing season. As part of a statewide study, 8 new cotton varieties were tested on CRIT in cooperation with a local farmer. AG PRODUCTION WORKSHOPS: 144 growers and farm service providers attended 3 Crop and Pest Management Workshops and 2 Field days to learn from 17 different visiting campus specialists. Topics included: Crop & Pest Management, Nitrogen Needs of Wheat, Fertilizer Management, Precision Farming Techniques, Irrigation Management, Variable Rate Weed Control, Brush Removal, Farm Economics, Climate & Weather impacts on Agriculture, Use of Soil & Plant Sensors to Manage Irrigation Timing, and Insect Pest Control. Field Day1: The Agent hosted a Cotton Defoliation workshop and field day which also addressed year-end cotton crop and weed management for 15 cotton farmers. The Field Day was held at the Agent's Cotton Variety Trials location. Field Day 2: The Agent partnered with CRIT EPA to conduct a 2-day Integrated Pest Management Class & Field Day for 20 attendees including classroom instruction and a tour of the CRIT tribal farm. HORTICULTURE: Of the 22 attendees at the 2010 12-week Master Gardener (MG) course, 5 were Tribal members. 2 new Community Gardens were started on CRIT in 2010. The first garden was planted and maintained by MG volunteers and is situated adjacent to an elementary school located on the reservation. 10 in-class & in-garden workshops - supported by 28 MG volunteer hours - reached 399 youth (194 Tribal) at the school. The second garden has 2 parts: the 1st provides gardening projects for the High School FFA youth and the 2nd is an area designed for Tribal families. MG volunteers provided: 88 volunteer hours assisting BIA with landscape issues & 122 volunteer hours designing landscape for the entrance to the CRIT cemetery. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES (FCS) 8 Food Guide Pyramid and Bone Builder classes at Blake Elementary school reached 906 youth (377 Tribal). 12 Grow it, Try it, Like it nutrition classes at Le Pera Elementary reached 516 youth (217 Tribal). 7 Food Safety and Nutrition classes were held at the PAL afterschool center - 116 Youth (57 Tribal). 8 Food-Guide Pyramid classes were held at the Tree of Life Charter school - 70 youth (19 Tribal). Healthy Choices and Dehydration Prevention workshops at the CRIT Library reach 34 people (29 Tribal). 3 all-day school-vacation healthy lifestyles classes at CRIT Recreation reached 143 youth (128 Tribal). 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Agent partnered with County 4-H Agent by overseeing 4-H indoor projects. The agent spent 4 days at the indoor 4-H booth answering questions and recruiting new youth and volunteers. 77 Youth entered 119 projects in the 2010 La Paz County Fair. PARTICIPANTS: AGRICULTURE: A total of 15 different University Specialists traveled from campus or other locations to the CRIT reservation to provide the latest updates for crop management, pest management, climate information and water conservation. The agent continues to partner with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Reclamation and CRIT Water Resources on issues related to irrigation water measurement (This is an on-going project from previous years). HORTICULTURE. In 2010, The Master Gardener program partnered with the Le Pera Elementary school and the USDA Natural Resource Development Council to implement 2 new community gardens. The USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs, the CRIT Library and Recreation facilities and the Parker Library provided classroom space and facilities for workshops. The CRIT Tribal farm, local Ag enterprises and individual farmers contributed farm equipment and time to prepare the Le Pera Elementary School Garden. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Partners in this program include CRIT Recreation, CRIT Diabetes, CRIT Senior Center and Parker Schools who provided volunteers, materials, collaboration on program presentation and classroom facilities. TARGET AUDIENCES: AGRICULTURE: The target audience for the CRIT Agriculture program includes the CRIT Tribal council, CRIT Farms, native and non-native farm lessees (growers) crop advisors and Ag industry personnel. Goals are to provide technical assistance and University research-based information to this group so that they, collectively and individually, will be able to increase crop production, decrease operational costs, and operate in an environmentally sound manner. Ideally, the entire farming community will work together to manage and improve upon irrigation water use, pesticide and herbicide applications, and other farming practices. HORTICULTURE: The target audience for Horticulture includes anyone interested in gardening in our low desert environment. The program continues to be successful in recruiting students for the 12 week Master Gardener course who work for the CRIT Ahakhav Preserve, CRIT Environmental Protection Agency, and other departments who work directly on tree health, gardens and native plants on the reservation. A new emphasis on home & community gardens is targeting youth of all ages and Tribal adults/elders in new home and community garden ventures. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Anyone interested in healthy lifestyles is welcome at our FCS workshops. The program provides a holistic approach to healthy lifestyles including safe food handling, healthy diets, and physical activity workshops. Through a partnership with CRIT recreation, Tribal youth are introduced to healthy foods and encouraged to participate in increased physical activity. Healthy Lifestyle workshops at the CRIT Library targets adults, but some youth also attend. 4H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Numerous studies have shown that youth participation in the 4H Youth Development program helps youth prepare for a productive future by teaching leadership, conflict resolution, communication, self-confidence, the ability to make healthy choices, responsibility, and ethics. Our program targets all youth in the community with the goal to improve life on the Reservation by raising awareness of its youth. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: AGRICULTURE: As a result of the Needs Survey, the only new Ag program change planned for 2011 will be the inclusion of a Drip Irrigation workshop and field trip. In 2010, the focus of the Ag program continued to provide educational opportunities in the areas of crop, pest and water management. Information was collected at all workshops to fine tune future educational needs. In addition to these surveys, 8 pest control advisors participated in the annual Cotton Crop Losses Workshop to provide input to the agent and campus specialists that will form the basis for planning future workshops and research projects. HORTICULTURE: A new partnership was made with the Le Pera Elementary school to develop a community/school educational garden. Another new partnership was made with USDA Resource Conservation Development Council to develop a new 2-part community garden in response to Tribal member input. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: This program was only partially funded by the FRTEP grant. The balance of financial support for this position was lost when the current instructional specialist quit in March 2011 and contributing county funds were cut. The project is now on hold. 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: No major modifications were made to the 4-H program in 2010 and the success of the new format requiring indoor projects from all youth bringing an animal to fair continues to grow; however, due to input from the Needs Assessment Survey and resulting face-to-face interviews, additional 4-H Leader training opportunities are planned for 2011. The agent will be working more closely with volunteer leaders, parents and youth to insure that projects maximize learning experiences and that they meet national 4-H goals during community events and workshops.
Impacts
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. Some program changes were identified by the Needs Assessment survey as follows: An Ag Drip Irrigation workshop is planned for 2011. Continuing education events for certified Master Gardeners are being investigated. Input was received for the Family Consumers Sciences program; however, This program is put on hold for the balance of 2011 pending finding a new source of funding. New 4-H leader training opportunities are planned for 2011. AGRICULTURE: Following the 2010 Ag workshops and Field Days, a combination of Lickert & Borich survey questions showed that farmers increased their knowledge by an average of 27% in the areas of: Crop & Pest Management, Nitrogen Needs of Wheat, Fertilizer Management, Precision Farming Techniques, Irrigation Management, Variable Rate Weed Control, Brush Removal, Farm Economics, Climate & Weather impacts on Agriculture, Use of Soil & Plant Sensors to Manage Irrigation Timing, and Insect Pest Control. 99% of attendees stated that information provided at the workshops will help them on their farm or at their job. 100% of those surveyed stated that they learned new information that will improve or change the way they do their job/run their farm HORTICULTURE: Personal interviews with Tribal members and results from the needs assessment survey showed that Tribal members are interested in home and community gardening education combined with information that will lead to a re-emergence of traditional food use. Responses to oral questions to K - 4th graders demonstrated that the Le Pera elementary school garden has introduced a whole new generation to gardening and food production and has introduced them to new fruits/vegetables that were previously not in their diet. The High School and Community garden built in partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Development council is nearing completion and invitations have been sent out to Tribal members to participate. According to Borich scale surveys, county clientele increased knowledge in the areas of: water conservation, integrated pest management fruit & vegetable production and vertebrate pests by at least 10% and up to 90% on specific topics. Post workshop surveys showed that existing Master Gardeners attending continuing education all agreed that the courses increased their knowledge by at least another 10 - 20% and that the material presented will help them support our program. La Paz County Master Gardeners contributed an estimated value of $36,120 to their communities in 2010 (using $20.25/hr). FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Survey results in 2010 showed that this program was still as popular as always; however, the program is now on hold after the loss of personnel and county support money. 4H YOUTH DEVELOPMNENT: 77 Youth entered 119 projects in the 2010 La Paz County Fair - a 20% increase from the year before. The quality of projects also improved in this second year of the new project requirements. Extension Board members, and County and Tribal leaders expressed their appreciation for the turn-around in indoor project participation and for being able to clearly see the many benefits that 4-H has to offer its youth.
Publications
- Tuttle, S. L., Dambeck, A., Adolf, M., Masters, L. Livingston, M. Hunt Crowley, T., Benally, J., Alden, E. 2009. Indian Country and County Extension: A Comparison of Personnel Administration and Proponents of Community Support. The Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Conference, May 20-22, 2010. Tucson, AZ. (Published)
- Masters, Linda. 2010. Hummingbirds in Arizona. Backyards & Beyond: Rural Living in Arizona. Summer Issue. 2 pp. (Published).
- Masters, L., Tuttle, S., Martinez, C., Uhlman, K., Waits, J., Farrell, G., Adolf, M. 2010. Are Participatory Methods of Extension Education Sustainable Approved for presentation at the 27th annual Association for International Agriculture and Extension Education World Conference - Sustainable Value Chain Agriculture for Food Security and Economic Development July 3-7, 2011. Windhoek, Namibia. (Accepted).
- Masters, Linda, Tuttle, Sabrina. 2010. The Evolution of Extension Research and Education Methods From Colonialism to Participatory. Approved for presentation at the 27th annual Association for International Agriculture and Extension Education World Conference - Sustainable Value Chain Agriculture for Food Security and Economic Development July 3-7, 2011. Windhoek, Namibia. (Accepted).
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Progress 05/01/09 to 04/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: AGRICULTURE: Cotton Planting Advisories were sent out on a weekly basis to growers, pest control advisors and industry representatives, from March through May, to provide pertinent information on pre-planting field care and crop planting. Cotton Development Advisories and Cotton Heat Stress Advisories are distributed in order to provide University Research-based crop production information necessary to growers for making critical and timely management decisions throughout the growing season. Advisories are available through traditional mail (90 member mailing list), electronically (55 member email list) and on the web. AG PRODUCTION WORKSHOP: 33 growers and industry representatives attended the late season Ag Production Workshop presented by the agent in cooperation with 7 University of Arizona campus specialists. Topics included Pest Management, Nitrogen Needs of Wheat, Precision Farming, Irrigation Management, Weather updates, and Insect Pest Control. The agent provided an overview of electronic retrieval methods for crop, weather and pest control data available through the new County and Tribal websites. ROUNDUP READY ALFAFLA RESEARCH STUDY: 21 field days conducting applied research collecting data on alfalfa tolerance to various levels of Roundup herbicide and yellow nutsedge control. The agent provided a preliminary report on the progress of these projects to 33 growers and industry representatives at the late season Ag Production Workshop. HORTICULTURE: Master Gardener quarterly newsletters were sent to 83 addresses. 19 people attended the twelve week Master Gardener course. 8 volunteers provided 64 volunteer hours providing gardening education and recruiting new members at the La Paz County Fair. Monthly Garden Day meetings at the CRIT Library provided continuing education on: Pruning (25 attendees), Vegetables, (12) Edible Desert Plants (6), Plant Preparation (6) and Summer Heat Effects on Plants (7). 42 people attended the 2 day Pruning workshop held at the Extension office. A Citrus workshop was held at the Parker Library for 42 attendees. 720 face-to-face contacts and 830 telephone responses were made. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES (FCS) 3 Food Guide Workshops (151), 11 Food Safety Workshops in 4 communities (164), 5 Life Balance and Healthy Lifestyles Workshops (137), Nutrition Essentials (12), Small Steps to Health & Wealth (25), Bone Builders (19), 'Healthy Meetings' presented at health conference (248), Sunwise Booth and presentations at the La Paz County Fair (296). 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Agent attended monthly meetings and worked with 4-H club and project leaders on Clover Kid fair projects and provided guidance for the older youth's 4-H Fair Projects. Monthly newsletters and additional letters to club leaders were mailed out with basic directions for projects required under new fair regulations. PARTICIPANTS: AGRICULTURE: The agent partnered with one University Campus Specialist and 3 graduate students to conduct applied research on Roundup Ready alfalfa. 6 Future Farmers of American (FFA) and 4H Youth participated as volunteers during field research days. An additional 7 University Specialists traveled to the CRIT reservation to provide the latest updates for crop management, pest management, climate information and water conservation. The agent continues to partner with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Reclamation and CRIT Water Resources on issues related to irrigation water measurement (This is an on-going project from previous years). HORTICULTURE: La Paz County Master Gardener Volunteers contributed an estimated value of $32,120 to their communities in 2009 (using $20.25/hr.). The program also partners with the Arizona Western Community (AWC) College during the annual Master Gardener course. AWC provides classroom space, use of computers and other facilities in their buildings. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Library and the Parker Library also provided classroom space and facilities for workshops. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Partners in this program include CRIT Recreation, CRIT Diabetes, CRIT Senior Center and Parker Schools who provided volunteers, materials, collaboration on program presentation and classroom facilities. TARGET AUDIENCES: AGRICULTURE: The target audience for the CRIT Agriculture program includes the CRIT Tribal council, CRIT Farms, native and non-native farm lessees (growers) and crop advisors. Goals are to provide technical assistance and University research-based information to this group so that they, collectively and individually, will be able to increase crop production, decrease operational costs, and operate in an environmentally sound manner. Ideally, the entire farming community will work together to manage irrigation water use, pesticide and herbicide applications, and other farming practices. HORTICULTUE: The target audience for Horticulture includes anyone interested in gardening in our low desert environment. We have been successful in recruiting students for the 12 week Master Gardener course who work for the CRIT Ahakhav Preserve, CRIT Environmental Protection Agency, and other departments who work directly on tree health, gardens and native plants on the reservation. Each year CRIT sends members from the various departments. FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Anyone interested in healthy lifestyles is welcome at our FCS workshops; however, we do focus on those who are dealing with diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. This program provides a holistic approach to healthy lifestyles including safe food handling, healthy diets, and physical activity workshops. Through our partnership with CRIT recreation we work with Tribal youth to introduce healthy foods and encourage more physical activity. Healthy Lifestyle workshops at the CRIT Library targets adults, but some youth also attend. 4H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Numerous studies have shown that youth participation in the 4H Youth Development program helps youth prepare for a productive future by teaching leadership, conflict resolution, communication, self-confidence, the ability to make healthy choices, responsibility, and ethics. Our program targets all youth in the community with the goal to improve life on the Reservation by raising awareness of its youth. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: AGRICULTURE: This year, the focus of the program shifted from water management to crop production and weed control in order to complete an applied research project in partnership with university crop and weed specialists. Both programs will proceed in 2010. Information is collected at all workshops to determine future crop management needs. In addition to these surveys, 8 pest control advisors participated in the annual Cotton Crop Losses Workshop to provide input to the agent and campus specialists through the use of discussion and written surveys that will form the basis for planning future workshops and research projects. Direct input from growers and advisors drives the direction of this program as well as campus research projects. 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: The agent received several comments from members of the Board of Supervisors and the Extension Advisory Board that 4-H Youth participated in the fair solely to raise and sell an animal. They did not see evidence that the youth were learning anything of value. In order to remedy this situation, the agent changed the requirements for all you raising animals so that they were required to complete an educational project describing what they had learned during the year. These projects were displayed along with other -indoor- projects such as photography, arts and crafts, and other 4-H indoor project. Very positive input was received from the Board of Supervisors and the Extension Advisory Board. They were impressed that we responded to a direct criticism and how quickly we remedied the situation. As a result of the new projects an entirely new section was added to the fair book.
Impacts
AGRICULTURE: Likert scale surveys were used to determine impact. 99% of workshop attendees stated that information provided at the workshop will help them on their farm or at their job (33% strongly agreed and 60% agreed). 100% of those surveyed stated that they learned new information that will improve or change the way they do their job/run their farm (13% strongly agreed & 87% agreed). 100% of attendees requested more meetings like those provided and several comments were received similar to this quote: "Very good presentations and very informative." HORTICULTURE: The number of Certified Master Gardeners increased by 63% and the associated number of volunteer hours more than doubled. According to Borich scale surveys, county clientele increased knowledge in the areas of: water conservation, integrated pest management, fruit and vegetable production, and vertebrate pests by at least 10% and up to 90% on specific topics. Post workshop surveys showed that existing Master Gardeners attending continuing education all agreed that the courses increased their knowledge and that the material presented will help them support our program as volunteers FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES: Borich pre- and post-surveys showed that 63% of food handler students rated their increase in knowledge at 5 on a 1-5 scale (5 being the highest) and an additional 27% rated their change in knowledge at 4. More than half, (56%) of teachers said that they would definitely use the BrainErgizers materials (a program developed in this office) in their classrooms and that it met their classroom needs. 4H YOUTH DEVELOPMNENT: 75 Youth entered 99 projects in the 2009 La Paz County Fair. This is an increase of more that 100% in youth participants from the previous year. 100% of all people who viewed the 4-H Fair booth were very impressed with the number and quality of the entries. 100% of the club leaders approved of the new regulations and the majority of youth participants were excited about their projects. Only one youth gave us negative comments.
Publications
- Extension Research Guidelines for North American Indian Tribal Lands. . Peer-reviewed. Extension Research Guidelines for North American Indian Tribal Lands. In press. Masters, L., Tuttle, S., Livingston, M., Adolf, M., Moore, G., Benally, J., Crowley, T., Hiller, J.G. 2009. In-press. Proceedings of the 25th Annual Conference, Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Puerto Rico. Presented at San Juan, Puerto Rico on 5/27/2009. (55%).
- Indian Country Extension: a Comparison of Programs in the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension System. Peer-reviewed. Tuttle, S, Dambeck, A., Adolf, M., Masters, L., Livingston, M., and Hunt Crowley, T. (2009). Proceedings of the 25th Annual Conference, Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, May 25-29 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In Press. (10%).
- Indian Country and County Extension: A Comparison of Personnel Administration and Proponents of Community Support. Peer-reviewed. Tuttle, S.L., Dambeck, A., Adolf, M., Masters, L. Livingston, M. Hunt Crowley, T., Benally, J., Alden, E.,(2009). Accepted for presentation at the the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Conference, May 20-22, 2010 in Tucson, AZ. In Press. (10%).
- Programming, Needs Assessment, and Evaluation Methods in Arizona and New Mexico Indian Country. Peer-reviewed. Tuttle, S.L., Dambeck, A., Adolf, M., Masters, L. Livingston, M. Hunt Crowley, T. Peer reviewed (submitted). (2009) Programming, Needs Assessment, and Evaluation Methods in Arizona and New Mexico Indian Country. Journal of the Association of International Agricultural Education. Submitted. (15%).
- 4-H Science, Engineering & Technology in Indian Country. 4-H Science, Engineering & Technology in Indian Country. (2009) Masters, L., Intertribal Agriculture Conference. Presented at Parker, NV on 10/13/2009. (100%).
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