Progress 05/01/09 to 04/30/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: GOAL 1: Provide annual pesticide applicator trainings to farm applicators and tribal government & commercial applicators. Specialized trainings in aquatic and school integrated pest management. Work with ranchers & conservation district to develop conservation goals. Collect and send hay- forage analysis & nitrate quick tests on hay for ranchers. Work with CSKT, MSU Specialists and NRCS to develop several weed management programs and strategies using livestock through diet training. Cutworms traps utilized to catch and identify new cutworm variety causing damage to crops. Work with CSKT to educate on National Animal Identification System and premise ID Tribal rangeland. Provide annual riparian education for 4th and 5th grade at CSKT River Honoring, utilizing a riparian trailer where youth compare and contrast two streams to identify damage to stream banks and learn to protect fisheries. Provide annual weed education to 4th graders at 4th grade ag days. Travel on field trips with classes to help provide weed education, prevention, and identification. Develop 4-H natural resource club and, utilizing many speakers from the Tribal Natural Resources Department, teach youth about hiking and trail safety, nutrition, and leave no trace. Youth took field trips to Schwarz Lake and snowshoe in Glacier National Park. Develop weed investigation traveling trunk for teachers on the Flathead Reservation and present to teachers at the Tribal Pupil Instruction Related Day for teachers. Work with tribal member to compost 20 tons of fish carcasses annually from a local fishing derby to keep out of the landfill. GOAL 2: Redevelop School Gardening 101 curriculum for local schools to develop sustainability. Deliver program to 6+ schools in 2013. Provide annual gardening classes, including Gardening 101, Master Gardener Level 1 & 2, Jr. Master Gardener, school gardening, and a gardening series on specialized topics through the summer months, including herbs, pruning, planting, etc. Indoor grow stations installed in four schools to provide year around gardening. Worm composting bins rotated between schools as a recycling project. Held three day training for community garden groups. GOAL 3: Adult and youth food preservation classes held each year in addition to an annual five week Master Food Preserver program covering all food preservation topics and holding hands-on labs. Hold 4-Hour ServSafe Food Safety classes throughout the year for CSKT Tribal entities, including the Kicking Horse Job Corps, Grey Wolf Casino, Salish Kootenai College, Head Start, Elders Program, and KwaTaqNuk Resort. Work with Food Safety Advisory Committee to provide 8-Hour ServSafe classes. Provide SNAP Ed to all Reservation schools and low income adults. Approx 800-900 youth in six lessons each year and approx 50 adults per year. Attend annual health fairs, including: CSKT Women's Health Fair (1,300), Diabetes Health Fair (150), and Youth Health Fair (150). Dissemination: FREO Annual Report, Website, Newsletter, Facebook, CharKoosta newspaper, CSKT Tribal Council, Advisory Committee, CSKT employee email listserve, Intertribal Ag Council annual conference PARTICIPANTS: MSU Flathead Reservation Extension office (FREO) staff: Rene Kittle, Extension Agent, B.S. Environmental Science, M.S. Resource Conservation. Annual Professional Development: MSU Western Region (WR) Horticulture Training, MSU WR Update, What's in Your World weed train-the-trainer, Bio-control field day, WR Leadership Forum, MSU WR Financial Policies, Annual Conference-ag track, FRTEP/IAC annual conference, 4-H robotics training, MSU Strengthening Community Agrosecurity Training, MSU Beef Nutrition Update, MSU Pesticide safety education, Community Gardening webinar, First Detector training, ServSafe Awards: Montana Association of Extension 4-H Agents 2011 Achievement in Service, 2013 Distinguished Service Award; Montana Association of County Agriculture Agents 2012 Achievement in Service; Montana Food Bank, 2013 Food Security Award Brenda Richey, Program Assistant, Professional Development: 4-H Leadership Training, 4-H Mentoring Training in Washington D.C. 2011 and 2012 Ginger Pitts, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Educator, Professional Development through SNAP Ed, 2x per year, Bozeman, MT FREO Volunteers: 4-H volunteers, Master Gardener volunteers, Master Food Preserver volunteers Partner Organizations: CSKT Tribal Lands Department, Elders Program, Tribal Education, Natural Resources, DHRD Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Salish Kootenai College Big Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation Lake County Environmental Health and Sanitation TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is residents of the Flathead Reservation. There are approximately 7000 American Indians living on the 1.3 million acre FIR, overlapping four Montana counties. These 7000 individuals are Tribal members, descendents, and members of other tribes. While the Tribes are the target audience, Extension programs are available to all who wish to attend. Approximately 1,000 tribal members attend public school, in addition to youth descendents and members of other tribes. To reach the reservation's youth audience with Extension programs we work within the school system. We have held Afterschool 4H programs in four schools, as well as several school immersion educational programs focused on food and fiber systems. Our office also offers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP) to 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade classes throughout the reservation. Approximately 700 children received this education in 2009. We gauge knowledge and behavior change on comments and surveys. One child told her mother she would no longer leave the milk on the counter because it isn't safe for their family. A teacher in Ronan said "We have many programs come through our school, but this is one that makes a difference and I hope it continues." We also have approximately 150 families in cattle production. We send these families monthly newsletters with the most up-to-date research based information coming out of extension research from Montana and other state extension. We bring extension specialists and state programs to the Flathead Reservation to keep producers up-to-date on issues related to production, niche markets, risk management, range management, the National Animal Identification System, pesticide safety and education, and Agrosecurity. Through Extension many residents throughout the reservation are also learning and practicing gardening, food safety, and food preservation to provide healthy, nutritious foods to their families and friends at all times during the year. Participants in food preservation classes include elders, Passages young fatherhood program, diabetes educators and participants, and cooks for senior citizens. Participants from the Passages program were so excited about the salsa and meat canning classes they decided to put in raised beds this year. Efforts: Given the size of the reservation, cost of travel, and/or lack of transportation for participants, Extension programs are offered throughout the reservation. Gardening classes have been offered in Arlee on the south end of the reservation, in Pablo, in the center of the reservation, and in Elmo on the north end of the reservation as well as Dixon and Hot Springs to the west. Cattle producer meetings have been held in five different communities on the reservation in an effort to reduce their travel and increase participation. FREO Works with all schools on the reservation, both public and Tribal Schools. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Extension education in agriculture, natural resources, food safety, food preservation, pesticide applicator education, gardening education and 4-H youth education result in many outcomes and impacts, not all mentioned below. Pest Control: Pest management education better enables individuals to control a variety of pests (weeds, insects and vertebrate) through integrated strategies and rely less on pesticides. Local educators who attended the What's in your World training have used the training and curriculum to educate K-12 students about the impact and management of weeds through field trips and classroom exercises. Master Gardeners learn to identify pests and timing of control, in addition to mechanical or cultural controls to use fewer pesticides. NAIS Grant and Producer Education: This USDA APHIS grant helped educate tribal employees and producers on three stages of NAIS. Regional/ national meetings were also held to educate other tribes on NAIS. 5 regional meetings resulted in discussions among cattle producers in each town and with Tribal Council. 250 Tribal range units were registered with Premise Identification to increase the speed o trace an animal disease. Gardening: Master Gardener participants volunteered 1,000 hours in community and school gardens passing on their knowledge to teach others to garden and helping maintain elderly gardens and community ornamental and food gardens. The monetary value of these volunteer hours is an estimated $19,510. Composting: A local Tribal member and gardening class participant (three years ago) learned about composting and now composts 20 tons of fish per year - 60 tons of fish in three years, reducing waste in the landfill. He composts approximately three times that amount in leaf waste, old straw, wood chips and lawn clippings. Food Preservation/Food Safety: Food preservation and safety improve family food security and provide safe methods for preserving fruit, vegetable and meat. Master Food preservers pass on their knowledge and change behavior of many community members. CSKT Headstart cooks annually attend ServSafe classes and serve safe food to 278 young children annually because of a better understanding of food pathogens and how to prevent foodborne illnesses. 4-H Youth Development: FREO added 4-H Youth Development in all goals. Initially one or two schools worked with FREO to add gardening education to their afterschool curriculum and classroom activities. Since four years ago FREO started working with eight schools who incorporated indoor and/or outdoor school gardens. Eight schools are currently working on school garden sustainability with FREO. Nutrition: Many youth learning nutrition education have shown improvement in knowledge of nutrition. One third grader said "I am so glad you came to teach us about healthy foods because my mom needs to eat healthier and I am talking to her about our lessons." One teacher mentioned that she noticed youth can identify healthy v. unhealthy foods in the lunchroom. SNAP Education reaches approximately 800 youth per year on the reservation in 1st, 3rd and 5th grade.
Publications
- MSU Flathead Reservation Extension Annual Report; 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
- Black Henbane: Identification, Biology and Integrated Management (Monica Pokorny, Jane Mangold & Rene Kittle) MontGuide MT201005AG New 2010
- Orange Hawkweed and Meadow Hawkweed Complex, (originally written by Matthew J. Rinella and Roger L. Sheley, revised by Jane Mangold and Rene Kittle) MontGuide MT199816AG Revised 2009
- Collecting and Growing Native Plants at Home, Big Sky Small Acres, spring, 2011
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Progress 05/01/11 to 04/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: GOAL 1: One Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training was held by FREO and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) to help school personnel and land managers identify pests and develop an integrated plan for management using fewer pesticides. Work with ranchers and CSKT Tribal conservation district on developing conservation goals. Work with CSKT and NRCS to develop weed management strategies using livestock. Riparian education/ river health education provided to over 400 students during annual River Honoring. Weed education provided to over 400-4th graders during Fourth Grade Ag days where students learn about weeds and conservation and how they can contribute to the No Spread campaign. Attend Eighth grade field day at National Bison Range and teach youth about the negative impacts of weeds on native plants and cultural resources. Natural Resource 4-H Club learned about wilderness survival, backpacking and camping. The club went snowshoeing at Glacier National Park. A "What's in Your World" education trunk was created and instruction of use of trunk provided to local school teachers. Teachers trained now teach students about weeds and control strategies. GOAL 2: Cutworm traps were used to capture and identify a new cutworm causing spring damage to local crops in order to help develop a statewide control protocol. Provide up-to-date information on production techniques and pest management via phone/email. Work with CSKT DES to begin editing the FS-11 agrosecurity and ag emergency portion of the CSKT EOP Work with local tribal member to compost 20 tons of fish carcasses and yard/farm waste to create high nutrient compost for community gardens. A series of sixteen Master Gardener classes (level 1 and 2) and a six week Gardening 101 classes provided Jr. Master Gardener lessons provided to the Tribe's Two Eagle River School 7th and 8th graders. Provide spring and summer gardening lessons to the Boys and Girls Club and help them plant raised beds and enter projects in the local fair. Afterschool 4-H lessons in six schools and Boys and Girls Club, focusing on agriculture and natural resources. GOAL 3: A community garden was developed at a Tribal housing site and local residents learned to grow their own produce. Six food preservation classes were held for community members and local food growers. ServSafe 4-hour food safety trainings held for Tribal Head Start cooks and an 8-hour managers training for community members and Kicking Horse Job Corps. A series of 6 nutrition classes were delivered to 936 youth in 1st, 3rd and 5th grade classrooms to teach youth the importance of making healthy food choices and physical activities. A series of 6 nutrition classes were delivered to 65 low income adults. A series of six dairy and food safety lessons were held for a MSU/CSKT Talent Search youth and Dixon schools 7th and 8th graders. 500 youth and adults learned about the sun's rays using UV beads at a local Kids Health Fair. Dissemination: Annual report, Website, Newsletter, Facebook, CharKoosta newspaper , CSKT Tribal Council, Advisory Committee, CSKT employee email listserve, Intertribal Ag Council annual conference PARTICIPANTS: MSU Flathead Reservation Extension office (FREO) staff: Rene Kittle, Extension Agent, B.S. Environmental Science, M.S. Resource Conservation. Professional Development (PD): MSU Western Region (WR) Horticulture Training, MSU WR Update, What's in Your World weed train-the-trainer, Bio-control field day, WR Leadership Forum, MSU WR Financial Policies, Annual Conference-ag track, FRTEP/IAC annual conference, 4-H robotics training, MSU Strengthening Community Agrosecurity Training, MSU Beef Nutrition Update, MSU Pesticide safety education, Community Gardening webinar, First Detector training Brenda Richey, Program Assistant, PD: 4-H Leadership Training, 4-H Mentoring Training Ginger Pitts, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Educator (PD through SNAP) FREO Volunteers: 2 4-H volunteers 19 Master Gardener volunteers 2 Master Food Preserver volunteers Partner Organizations: CSKT Tribal Lands Department, Elders Program, Tribal Education, Natural Resources, DHRD Salish Kootenai College Big Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation Lake County Environmental Health and Sanitation TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience are the residents of the Flathead Reservation. There are approximately 7000 American Indians living on the 1.3 million acre FIR, overlapping four Montana counties. These 7000 individuals are Tribal members, descendents, and members of other tribes. While the Tribes are the target audience, Extension programs are available to all who wish to attend. Approximately 1,000 tribal members attend public school, in addition to youth descendents and members of other tribes. To reach the reservation's youth audience with Extension programs we work within the school system. We have held Afterschool 4H programs in four schools, as well as several school immersion educational programs focused on food and fiber systems. Our office also offers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP) to 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade classes throughout the reservation. Approximately 700 children received this education in 2009. We gauge knowledge and behavior change on comments and surveys. One child told her mother she would no longer leave the milk on the counter because it isn't safe for their family. A teacher in Ronan said "We have many programs come through our school, but this is one that makes a difference and I hope it continues." We also have approximately 150 families in cattle production. We send these families monthly newsletters with the most up-to-date research based information coming out of extension research from Montana and other state extension. We bring extension specialists and state programs to the Flathead Reservation to keep producers up-to-date on issues related to production, niche markets, risk management, range management, the National Animal Identification System, pesticide safety and education, and Agrosecurity. Through Extension many residents throughout the reservation are also learning and practicing gardening, food safety, and food preservation to provide healthy, nutritious foods to their families and friends at all times during the year. Participants in food preservation classes include elders, Passages young fatherhood program, diabetes educators and participants, and cooks for senior citizens. Participants from the Passages program were so excited about the salsa and meat canning classes they decided to put in raised beds this year. Efforts: Given the size of the reservation, cost of travel, and/or lack of transportation for participants, Extension programs are offered throughout the reservation. Gardening classes have been offered in Arlee on the south end of the reservation, in Pablo, in the center of the reservation, and in Elmo on the north end of the reservation as well as Dixon and Hot Springs to the west. Cattle producer meetings have been held in five different communities on the reservation in an effort to reduce their travel and increase participation. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Extension education in agriculture, natural resources, food safety, food preservation, pesticide applicator education, gardening education and 4-H youth education results in many outcomes and impacts, not all mentioned below. Pest Control: Trapping cutworms in a local melon crop resulted in identification of a new variety of cutworm followed by crop rotation to reduce spring damage for a local crop. Understanding the lifecycle of cutworms improves timing of planting and controls. Pest management education better enables individuals to control a variety of pests (weeds, insects and vertebrate) through integrated strategies and rely less on pesticides. Four local educators who attended the What's in your World training have used the training and curriculum to educate K-12 students about the impact and management of weeds through field trips and classroom exercises. Agrosecurity: Extension education and knowledge gained has empowered the CSKT Disaster and Emergency Services coordinator to begin developing an agricultural subcommittee of local Tribal Emergency Planning Committee to take a closer look at emergency planning for agricultural disasters. Gardening: Gardening empowers individuals to make cost-effective, healthier food choices and grow fruit and vegetable varieties not otherwise available. Learning to garden and installing a garden are the first steps to food security. Dixon Agency families, through a gardening grant and National Relief Charities, received the equipment and tools necessary to grow a garden for the first time in their neighborhood. Residents are making plans for their summer 2012 garden. FREO Master Gardener participants (19 Level 1 & 33 Level 2) volunteered 429 hours in various communities throughout the Reservation passing on their knowledge to teach others to garden and helping maintain elderly gardens and community ornamental and food gardens. A local Tribal member and gardening class participant (three years ago) learned about composting and now composts 20 tons of fish per year, reducing fish waste, leaf waste, old straw, wood chips and lawn clippings in the local landfill. Food Preservation/Food Safety: Food preservation and safety improves family food security and provides many safe methods for preserving fruit, vegetable and meat harvest. Master Food preservers pass on their knowledge and changed behavior to community members. Seven CSKT Headstart cooks, now ServSafe certified , are serving safe food to young children because of a better understanding of food pathogens and how to prevent foodborne illnesses. Youth Education: Youth enjoy learning about gardening, agricultural products and natural resources. Boys and Girls Club gardened during the summer and cooked their parents a healthy meal from the foods they learned to grow. Nutrition Education Many youth learning nutrition education have shown vast improvement in their knowledge of nutrition. One third grader said "I am so glad you came to teach us about healthy foods because my mom needs to eat healthier and I am talking to her about our lessons." One teacher mentioned that she noticed youth can identify healthy v. unhealthy foods in the lunchroom
Publications
- MSU Flathead Reservation Extension 2011 Annual Report MSU Flathead Reservation Extension newsletter Aquatic Weed Guide, editor
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Progress 05/01/10 to 04/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: GOAL 1: One aquatic pesticide applicator meeting was held by FREO and Montana Department of Agriculture for farm operators and tribal government employees requiring credits for aquatic licenses. This training also provided participants with information on integrated pest management strategies for aquatic weeds. Weed education was provided to over 400 4th graders during Fourth Grade Ag days where students learn about weeds and conservation and how they can contribute to the No Spread campaign. The first Flathead Reservation 4-H Club was started with 4-Hers interested in animal projects, cooking projects, hunting, and science. GOAL 2: Twenty hay samples were taken in the fall of 2010 and forage analysis provided to ten local ranchers to help validate or change feed programs. A series of articles was provided to ranchers on feed analysis and feed nutrient and mineral requirements for cows/heifers during the year. Cutworm traps were placed near a local crop field to capture and identify a new cutworm causing spring damage to local crops in order to develop a control protocol. Soil traps will be placed in the spring of 2011. Articles on up-to-date topics are provided in the local newspaper. A series of eight Master Gardener classes were provided in two communities on the Flathead Reservation; one community in Lake County and one in Sanders County. A three day community gardening workshop was held with American Community Gardening Association to build capacity for local residents in community garden development. Afterschool 4H lessons were provided in three schools and the Boys and Girls Club focusing on agriculture and natural resources. Natural resource education was provided over the course of a week at a local youth camp. GOAL 3: Hands-on gardening classes to the Boys and Girls Club resulted in raised beds and a meal they cooked for their parents. One community garden was started to provide a site for court ordered community service through the Tribal Chief of Police with a purpose to teach healthy lifestyles to repeat offenders. This garden provided opportunities throughout the summer of 2010 for community service rather than jail time. A grant written through extension to the Montana Community Foundation paid for work gloves, shirts, hats, and tools for community service participants. Composting classes and education on soil building were held for local residents to provide a hands-on opportunity to learn about green compost. A series of food preservation classes was held for a local church, Kootenai Culture Committee, and a local emergency preparedness group in an effort to preserve excess garden produce. ServSafe 4-hour food safety trainings were held for Area on Aging cooks, Tribal Head Start cooks and an 8-hour training for community members. A series of 6 nutrition classes were delivered to 40 classrooms on the Flathead Reservation to teach youth the importance of making healthy food choices and physical activities. Dissemination: Annual report, Website, Newsletter, Facebook, Charkoosta newspaper , CSKT Tribal Council, Advisory Committee PARTICIPANTS: Montana Department of Agriculture, American Community Gardening Association, Boys and Girls Club, Montana Community Foundation, Kootenai Culture Committee, Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribal Council, Western Sustainable Research Education (WSARE), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Monica Pokorny, and Jane Mangold TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audience: The target audience are the residents of the Flathead Reservation. There are approximately 7000 American Indians living on the 1.3 million acre FIR, overlapping four Montana counties. These 7000 individuals are Tribal members, descendents, and members of other tribes. While the Tribes are the target audience, Extension programs are available to all who wish to attend. Approximately 1,000 tribal members attend public school, in addition to youth descendents and members of other tribes. To reach the reservation's youth audience with Extension programs we work within the school system. We have held Afterschool 4H programs in four schools, as well as several school immersion educational programs focused on food and fiber systems. Our office also offers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP) to 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade classes throughout the reservation. Approximately 700 children received this education in 2009. We gauge knowledge and behavior change on comments and surveys. One child told her mother she would no longer leave the milk on the counter because it isn't safe for their family. A teacher in Ronan said "We have many programs come through our school, but this is one that makes a difference and I hope it continues." We also have approximately 150 families in cattle production. We send these families monthly newsletters with the most up-to-date research based information coming out of extension research from Montana and other state extension. We bring extension specialists and state programs to the Flathead Reservation to keep producers up-to-date on issues related to production, niche markets, risk management, range management, the National Animal Identification System, pesticide safety and education, and Agrosecurity. Through Extension many residents throughout the reservation are also learning and practicing gardening, food safety, and food preservation to provide healthy, nutritious foods to their families and friends at all times during the year. Participants in food preservation classes include elders, Passages young fatherhood program, diabetes educators and participants, and cooks for senior citizens. Participants from the Passages program were so excited about the salsa and meat canning classes they decided to put in raised beds this year. Efforts: Given the size of the reservation, cost of travel, and/or lack of transportation for participants, Extension programs are offered throughout the reservation. Gardening classes have been offered in Arlee on the south end of the reservation, in Pablo, in the center of the reservation, and in Elmo on the north end of the reservation as well as Hot Springs to the west. Cattle producer meetings have been held in five different communities on the reservation in an effort to reduce their travel and increase participation. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Extension education was provided in agriculture, natural resources, food safety, food preservation, pesticide applicator education, gardening education and youth education. Supplemental funding helped pay for extra educational supplies as indicated in impacts below. Cutworm Research - Resources provided by MSU through a graduate student research project provided cutworm traps. Trapping in a local melon crop resulted in identification of a new variety of cutworm followed by crop rotation to reduce spring damage for a local crop. Community Gardening - Resources provided by a grant with the Montana Community Foundation helped supply both a fish composting project with the tools necessary to develop windrow composting and compost 20 tons of fish during a local fishing derby. This grant also helped develop a community garden where repeat offenders could learn to garden rather than spend their hours in a cell at the Tribal jail. There were 114 hours of community service served in the garden. Several of these individuals look forward to participating in the garden in 2011 even though their community service was completed in 2010. Other volunteers and mentors served over 200 hours in the garden as well. Resources provided through the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR) grant helped fund books and supplies for a Master Gardener program for low income participants and helped pay for supplies for the Boys and Girls Club garden group. Master Gardeners served over 200 hours of community service in the community in the summer of 2010. Youth gardened in raised beds in 2010 and have planted seeds for the 2011 season. Over 75 youth participated in the garden group in 2010. Through a professional development grant from Western Sustainable Research Education and Education (WSARE) the American Community Gardening Association came to Montana to teach 12 community members and agency capacity building and organization around community gardens. Participants left with community plans in hand eager to use in their community gardens. Food Preservation: With the help of the FDPIR grant The Kootenai Culture Committee preserved 79 pints of pickled beets from their community garden. All jars were donated to elders. Twelve members of a local church attended two classes to learn updated, research-based food preservation methods and food safety principles for home canned meat and produce. Twelve members of a local emergency preparedness group attended a series of six classes to learn to pressure can, hot water bath, freeze, dry, pickle and prepare jams and jellies to increase their food storage for year around access to foods harvested from their gardens. Youth Education - Afterschool 4H has grown from two schools to five schools and the Boys and Girls Club. Five families started a 4-H club. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) grant enabled FREO nutrition educator to provide a series of 6 Supplemental Nutrition Education lessons to 760 youth in 40 classrooms on the Flathead Reservation. Youth learn about healthy food choices and the importance of physical activities.
Publications
- MSU Flathead Reservation Extension 2010 Annual Report
- MSU Flathead Reservation Extension newsletter, 2010
- Black Henbane: Identification, Biology and Integrated Management (Monica Pokorny, Jane Mangold & Rene Kittle) 2010
- Orange Hawkweed and Meadow Hawkweed Complex, (Revised)(Jane Mangold & Rene Kittle) Aquatic Weed Guide, editor, (in development) 2010
- Growing Native Plants at Home, Big Sky Small Acres spring issue 2011
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Progress 05/01/09 to 04/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two pesticide applicator meetings were held by FREO for farm operators and tribal government employees. Riparian education was held for over 250 4th and 5th graders and 4th Grade Ag days where these students learn about weeds and conservation. Monthly updates were given on current research to over 150 cattle producers. Hay testing, nitrate testing, weed seed free forage certification services. Education was given on National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The agent attended five regional meetings and educational seminars on age and source verification and premise registration, animal tagging, and disease traceability. Gardening 101 class was held in three communities. The agent developed the series of 8 gardening presentations presented over the eight weeks. Hands-on canning classes were given to the Boys and Girls Club, Kids Grow garden club, and Upward Bound students, young parents from the Passages program, and elders also learned to can. The Master Food Preserver class trained adult volunteers. This year youth learned simple canning and drying procedures. Afterschool 4H - getting youth in touch with the food and fiber used in daily life. Gardening education and food preservation was. ServSafe food safety training was given to the Tribe's cooks, including Gray Wolf Casino, KwaTaqnuk Resort, elders cooks, school cooks, (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe) CSKT Head Start, (Salish Kootenai College) SKC Daycare, and community members who attend FREO's monthly food safety classes at Mission Mountain Food Enterprises. Food Safety Advisory Committee was formed as well as the Tribal Emergency Response Committee (TERC). The most significant output of the FREO project has been the gardening education and food preservation. With the resurgence in backyard and community gardens nationally, the Flathead Indian Reservation residents gardening has increased substantially. With gardening comes the need for more food preservation education. Information Dissemination and Marketing utilized Website, Monthly newsletter, Weekly articles in the Tribe's Charkoosta newspaper, Press releases in all local papers, Charkoosta, Lake County Leader, and Valley Journal, Presentations to CSKT Tribal Council, Word of mouth-FREO. PARTICIPANTS: MSU FLATHEAD RESERVATION EXTENSION COMMUNITY GARDENING PARTNERS: CSKT Kootenai Culture Committee, Virgil Dupuis-SKC Extension, Emily-SKC Farm to College, Mike Pierre-CSKT Department of Human Resource Development (DHRD) Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation program, and Lois Friedlander-Passages fatherhood program, Jo Ellen Morigeau- Passages Diabetes Education Project AGRICULTURE PROGRAM PARTNERS: Terry Clark-USDA APHIS (NAIS Grant for Premise ID), Veterinary-Montana Department of Livestock, Doug Dupuis, Carol Ferrell, and Anita Matt-CSKT Tribal Lands Department, Virgil Dupuis-Salish Kootenai College Extension. Janet Kirkland-Montana Department of Agriculture Pesticide Education. YOUTH EDUCATION PARTNERS: Pablo School District, St. Ignatius School District, Dayton School District, Polson School District, and Linderman Elementary School, Arlee Elementary School, Ronan School District, CSKT Tribal Education, MSU Lake County Extension FOOD SAFETY AND FOOD PRESERVATION PARTNERS: Fred Steele-CSKT Sanitarians Office, Christine Hughes Lake County Sanitarians Office, Nori Pearce-MSU Lake County Extension TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience are residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation (FIR). There are approximately 7000 American Indians living on the 1.3 million acre FIR, overlapping four Montana counties. These 7000 individuals are Tribal members, descendents, and members of other tribes. While the Tribes are the target audience, Extension programs are available to all who wish to attend. Approximately 1,000 tribal members attend public school, in addition to youth descendents and members of other tribes. To reach the reservation's youth audience with Extension programs we work within the school system. We have held Afterschool 4H programs in four schools, as well as several school immersion educational programs focused on food and fiber systems. Our office also offers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP) to 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade classes throughout the reservation. Approximately 700 children received this education in 2009. We gauge knowledge and behavior change on comments and surveys. One child told her mother she would no longer leave the milk on the counter because it isn't safe for their family. A teacher in Ronan said "We have many programs come through our school, but this is one that makes a difference and I hope it continues." We also have approximately 150 families in cattle production. We send these families monthly newsletters with the most up-to-date research based information coming out of extension research from Montana and other state extension. We bring extension specialists and state programs to the Flathead Reservation to keep producers up-to-date on issues related to production, niche markets, risk management, range management, the National Animal Identification System, pesticide safety and education, and Agrosecurity. Through Extension many residents throughout the reservation are also learning and practicing gardening, food safety, and food preservation to provide healthy, nutritious foods to their families and friends at all times during the year. Participants in food preservation classes include elders, Passages young fatherhood program, diabetes educators and participants, and cooks for senior citizens. Participants from the Passages program were so excited about the salsa and meat canning classes they decided to put in raised beds this year. EFFORTS: Given the size of the reservation, cost of travel, and/or lack of transportation for participants, Extension programs are offered throughout the reservation. Gardening classes have been offered in Arlee on the south end of the reservation, in Pablo, in the center of the reservation, and in Elmo on the north end of the reservation. Cattle producer meetings have been held in five different communities on the reservation in an effort to reduce their travel and increase participation. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Two pesticide applicator meetings were held by FREO for farm operators and tribal government employees. Riparian education was held for over 250 4th and 5th graders and 4th Grade Ag days where these students learn about weeds and conservation. Monthly updates were given on current research to over 150 cattle producers. Hay testing, nitrate testing, weed seed free forage certification services. Education was given on National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The agent attended five regional meetings and educational seminars on age and source verification and premise registration, animal tagging, and disease traceability. Gardening 101 class was held in three communities. The agent developed the series of 8 gardening presentations presented over the eight weeks. Hands-on canning classes were given to the Boys and Girls Club, Kids Grow garden club, and Upward Bound students, young parents from the Passages program, and elders also learned to can. The Master Food Preserver class trained adult volunteers. This year youth learned simple canning and drying procedures. Afterschool 4H - getting youth in touch with the food and fiber used in daily life. Gardening education and food preservation was. ServSafe food safety training was given to the Tribe's cooks, including Gray Wolf Casino, KwaTaqnuk Resort, elders cooks, school cooks, (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe) CSKT Head Start, (Salish Kootenai College) SKC Daycare, and community members who attend FREO's monthly food safety classes at Mission Mountain Food Enterprises. Food Safety Advisory Committee was formed as well as the Tribal Emergency Response Committee (TERC). The most significant output of the FREO project has been the gardening education and food preservation. With the resurgence in backyard and community gardens nationally, the Flathead Indian Reservation residents gardening has increased substantially. With gardening comes the need for more food preservation education. Information Dissemination and Marketing utilized Website, Monthly newsletter, Weekly articles in the Tribe's Charkoosta newspaper, Press releases in all local papers, Charkoosta, Lake County Leader, and Valley Journal, Presentations to CSKT Tribal Council, Word of mouth-FREO.
Publications
- MSU Flathead Reservation Extension 2008 & 2009 Annual Report MSU Flathead Reservation Extension website and newsletters available at http://extn.msu.montana.edu/counties/FlatheadRes/ Extension canning class photos with education tags available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittlecat/ Orange Hawkweed and Meadow Hawkweed Complex, Montguide MT199816AG Revised 6/09 Available online: http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/MT199816AG .pdf Aquatic Weed Guide (in development)
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