Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of this project will be the Zuni Tribe (Pueblo of Zuni), who will receive programs to revitalize their traditional farming practices and deal with health/nutrition educational issues. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training is proved by New Mexico State University and other agencies for the agent. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?An annual report will be submitted to the Director of Extension and to the Zuni Tribal Council. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Zuni WIC Community Garden The agent is currently assisting with the community garden at the Zuni WIC office. Thus far, the community garden is used for an educational space to promote demonstrations and workshops to teach traditional gardening. The hoop house was added as part of phase two and served as a location for a seed starting workshop. More workshops, taught by the agent, are also planned though out the gardening season this year to promote gardening education. Furthermore, as part of phase two, a community fruit orchard will be planted adjacent to the garden. This community orchard will be part of a greater Zuni fruit tree restoration project which includes that orchard site at the A:Shiwi College. The Agent plans to continue to be a key contributor to the community garden's success as this project will become a major focal point for future gardening education classes and workshops. A: Shiwi college partnership The former UNM-Gallup Zuni Branch has now been handed over to the tribe and efforts are underway to start the A:Shiwi tribal college. Moreover, a recent MOU has already been signed between the tribal college and the NMSU Grant campus to start offering courses in Zuni. This Agent is supporting the efforts of the tribal college and NMSU recruitment of new undergraduates. Zuni Fruit Tree Program: The agent has helped in the facilitation of grafting workshops to educate the community on how to make more fruit trees. With the help of Gordon Tooley, the community now has one new fruit tree orchard at the A:Shiwi Tribal College and there are plans to grow another orchard at the WIC office and hopefully establish an orchard in the middle village. At the last grafting workshop, we grafted over 150 new fruit trees and distributed those trees to community members who are interested in establishing an orchard on their property and maintaining them. We also conducted a voluntary census on fruit trees on the reservation and discovered that we have a lot of back yard orchards in Zuni including peaches, apples, apricots, plums, etc. Because these fruit tree varieties are adapted to the environment and climate here, they are more tolerant to drought, poor soils, and local pests and therefore the agent is recommending that these heirlooms be preserved for future generations. With the help of the Department of Natural Resources we have been able to identify and save these fruit tree heirlooms. Zuni Farmers' Market: The agent is facilitating the planning for a Farmers' Market in Zuni for next year after hosting a planning session meeting the first week of October to identify local farmers who are interested in participating in this project. We currently identified at least 5 local farmers who are interested in participating in a Farmers' Market and we have the permission from Chu Chu to host the market at his restaurant which is prominently located on the main Highway through Zuni. Furthermore, there is collaboration from the Zuni Office of Tourism, the Zuni Main Street project and the New Mexico Farmers' Market Association to help with the promotion of the market for the upcoming season. The agent is now focusing attention on the interested farmers to assist them with farm business planning and financing. As the next planting season come near, the agent will assist these interested farmers in applying for free seed grants and obtaining funding for necessary tools and equipment so that they can increase their production to meet the demand for supplying a farmers' market. If everything goes as planned the new Zuni Farmers' Market which will be called a Garden and Arts market will be opening after Memorial Day weekend in 2017 on Friday evenings from 5-8 pm and host not only farmers but local artists and craft makers and will also have live music and entertainment. The long term plan is to make the market a family friendly event that can attract visitors from the surrounding communities and help foster some economic development in Zuni. Twin Buttes High School Business Planning Class: The agent has been ask to lead the business planning class at Twin Buttes High School for the Seniors who need to complete a project to graduate. The agent currently teaching a class of 6 seniors and helping them develop their business plans. The agent is collaborating with the Zuni Main Street program in visioning sessions to help students identify community needs for business services and products and bringing in prominent business leaders in Zuni to speak to the class about the challenges and difficulties of owning a business on the reservation and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. So far, the class has completed their executive summaries and we are now working on learning about marketing and creating a marketing plan including how to survey a target population of potential customers with a marketing survey. Eventually, the class with create financial cash-flow sheets and complete their business plans, including a final defense of their plans for completing the class. The goal of the class is to teach students the basics of running and starting a business as a real life skill and hopefully in the future some of these plans can become a real business with help and collaboration from the Zuni Main Street program. Zuni High School Beekeeping Program: It has been almost more than 2 years ago that the Zuni High School had an agricultural teacher and this person had developed a bee keeping program for their students. After that teacher left the bee hives were abandoned for almost two years and the program fell apart. The agent has had several requests to re-start the beekeeping program at the High School. Over the past several months, the agent has been attending educational workshops and trainings hosted by the New Mexico Beekeepers association and have shadowed beekeepers and visited their apiaries to learn the art of beekeeping. The agent has also enlisted the support of some beekeepers nearby who are interested in seeing a revival of Zuni honey. The Zuni High School still has all of the equipment and materials to get the program running again and the new school district superintendent is also a beekeeper and has taken a special interest in this program. The goal is to redevelop the hives and find a group of interested student who want to learn beekeeping and train them to take care of the hives. The honey can be sold at farmers' markets and local restaurants as Zuni honey is in demand and could help continue to finance the program into the future. Renewable Energy Development: There are a lot of opportunities for developing renewable energy in Zuni and the agent currently working on several different projects. The agent is collaborating with the Department of Natural Resources to help switch over many of the old wind turbines used to pump water for livestock into solar powered units. The agent is also collaborating with a group called Gallup Solar to do educational workshops and information sessions about how to do off-grid solar systems which is useful for our families without access to electricity. Moreover, the agent is developing a project in collaboration with the Zuni Environmental Protection Program to install a bio-gas generation plant at our transfer station to create bio-gas from solid waste which the tribe would otherwise have to pay to be removed. The agent will also be assisting with teaching a renewable energy class at Zuni High School and will facilitate lectures and demonstrations on various kinds of renewable energy.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/16 to 06/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of this project will be the Zuni Tribe (Pueblo of Zuni), who will receive programs to revitalize their traditional farming practices and deal with health/nutrition educational issues. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training is proved by New Mexico State University and other agencies for the agent. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?An annual report will be submitted to the Director of Extension and to the Zuni Tribal Council. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Traditional 4-H Program: The agent is working on conducting programs in gardening, small enterprise development with the help of a State Specialist, and nutrition with the assists of the ICAN educators.. Youth in Crisis: bullying, suicide prevention, and substance abuse educational program will be conducted by the new agent and the agents in the county this spring in a county wide 4-H training for leaders, parents and youth. Health and Nutrition: diabetes education, nutrition, food safety and preservation programs - these programs are curently being conduct by the county Home Economist. Other hands on agriculture programs and being planned and conduct later on this spring and the fall.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Zuni WIC Community Garden The agent is currently assisting with the community garden at the Zuni WIC office. Thus far, the community garden is used for an educational space to promote demonstrations and workshops to teach traditional gardening. The hoop house was added as part of phase two and served as a location for a seed starting workshop. More workshops, taught by the agent, are also planned though out the gardening season this year to promote gardening education. Furthermore, as part of phase two, a community fruit orchard will be planted adjacent to the garden. This community orchard will be part of a greater Zuni fruit tree restoration project which includes that orchard site at the A:Shiwi College. The Agent plans to continue to be a key contributor to the community garden's success as this project will become a major focal point for future gardening education classes and workshops. A: Shiwi college partnership The former UNM-Gallup Zuni Branch has now been handed over to the tribe and efforts are underway to start the A:Shiwi tribal college. A recent MOU has already been signed between the tribal college and the NMSU Grant campus to start offering courses in Zuni. The Agent is supporting the efforts of the tribal college and NMSU recruitment of new undergraduates. Zuni Fruit Tree Program: The agent has helped in the facilitation of grafting workshops to educate the community on how to make more fruit trees. With the help of Gordon Tooley, the community now has one new fruit tree orchard at the A:Shiwi Tribal College and there are plans to grow another orchard at the WIC office and hopefully establish an orchard in the middle village. At the last grafting workshop, we grafted over 150 new fruit trees and distributed those trees to community members who are interested in establishing an orchard on their property and maintaining them. We also conducted a voluntary census on fruit trees on the reservation and discovered that we have a lot of back yard orchards in Zuni including peaches, apples, apricots, plums, etc. Because these fruit tree varieties are adapted to the environment and climate here, they are more tolerant to drought, poor soils, and local pests and therefore the agent is recommending that these heirlooms be preserved for future generations. With the help of the Department of Natural Resources we have been able to identify and save these fruit tree heirlooms. Twin Buttes High School Business Planning Class: The agent has been teaching the business planning class at Twin Buttes High School for the Seniors. The agent currently teaching a class of 6 seniors and helping them develop their business plans. The agent is collaborating with the Zuni Main Street program in visioning sessions to help students identify community needs for business services and products and bringing in prominent business leaders in Zuni to speak to the class about the challenges and difficulties of owning a business on the reservation and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. The goal of the class is to teach students the basics of running and starting a business as a real life skill and hopefully in the future some of these plans can become a real business with help and collaboration from the Zuni Main Street program.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/15 to 06/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of this project will be the Zuni Tribe (Pueblo of Zuni), who will receive programs to revitalize their traditional farming practices and deal with health/nutrition educational issues. Changes/Problems:A new agent was hired on August 1st, 2015, Jacob Holloway. Jacob has hit the ground running and has focused his attention getting to know the area and community. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training is proved by New Mexico State University and other agencies for the agent. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?An annual report will be submitted to the Director of Extension and to the Zuni Tribal Council. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Traditional 4-H Program: The new agent is working on conducting programs in gardening, small enterprise development with the help of a State Specialist, and nutrition with the assists of the ICAN educators.. Youth in Crisis: bullying, suicide prevention, and substance abuse educational program will be conducted by the new agent and the agents in the county this spring in a county wide 4-H training for leaders, parents and youth. Health and Nutrition: diabetes education, nutrition, food safety and preservation programs - these programs are curently being conduct by the county Home Economist. Other hands on agriculture programs and being planned and conduct later on this spring and the fall.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Workshops and Events Sponsored and Presented: Propagation by Budding Workshop. September 15, 2015. Zuni, NM. Living Well Through Healthy Traditions Community Cultural Summit "Peach Tree Presentation". October 3rd, 2015. Zuni, NM. Zuni High School "Embracing Zuni Cultural Values for Healthy Living and Wellness" Conference "Take back Control of your food System" Presentation. October 10, 2015. Zuni Fair Booth. September 4-6, 2015. Zuni, NM. "Trunk or Treat" (volunteered). October 31, 2015. Zuni, NM. Zuni "Christmas" Light Parade. November 26, 2015. Zuni, NM. Garden Planning Workshop. February 4, 2016. Zuni, NM. Ongoing Projects and Community Collaboration: Zuni Health and Wellness Coalition "Food Pillar" Group. Gallup Solar Renewable Energy Coalition, Board Member. Zuni Peach Tree Orchard Project. UNM-Zuni. Native Seed Search Free Seed Grants. Wind water pump to solar conversions project. Zuni Department of Natural Resources. Composting Program. Zuni Department of Natural Resources. Crownpoint Middle School Greenhouse Project. Jessie Jim, NMSU Extension. School Garden Programs. Zuni Public School District. Meetings: Tour of Zuni Farming with Daniel Bowannie (Tribal Agriculture Program Director). August 24, 2015. Zuni, NM. Zuni Tribal Council. August 27, 2015. Zuni, NM. Zuni Fair Committee. August 31, 2015. Zuni, NM. Zuni Tourism Office with Tom Kennedy (Zuni Tourism Director). September 2, 2015. Zuni, NM. Zuni Youth Enrichment Project. September 3, 2015. Zuni, NM Wildlife Forage discussion with Nelson Luna (Zuni Wildlife Program Director). September 11, 2015. Zuni, NM. 4-H Leadership Meeting. October 6, 2015. Gallup, NM. Soil Analysis for Zuni-UNM Campus. October 23, 2015. Zuni, NM. Tour of Nutria with Darren Sanchez (Zuni Range Conservation Program Director). October 28, 2015. Bio-Gas Presentation. December 2, 2015. Gallup, NM. Meeting with Bruce Klewer (Zuni-UNM Director). December, 10 2015. Zuni, NM. Zuni Public School Board Meeting to pass MOU. December 14, 2015. Zuni, NM. Zuni Museum and Cultural Center meeting about heritage seeds, December 23, 2015. Zuni, NM. Indian Livestock Days Planning Committee Meeting.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/14 to 06/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of this project will be the Zuni Tribe (Pueblo of Zuni), who will receive programs to revitalize their traditional farming practices and deal with health/nutrition educational issues. Changes/Problems:Tammy Parker left the project for a different position. We are currently in the process of review application for this project. Kathy Landers is conducting programs in Zuni at this time. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We meet with the tribal council to discuss the needs for the residents of the reservations. We've also been having community meeting to discuss their needs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue with the same goals and objectives for the last year's grant: 1. Traditional 4-H Program: programs in ceramics (pottery), shooting sports, livestock projects, sewing, and canning. School Enrichment 4-H Programs: programs in gardening, small enterprise development, and nutrition. 2. Youth in Crisis: bullying, suicide prevention, and substance abuse educational programs. 3. Health and Nutrition: diabetes education, nutrition, food safety and preservation programs. 4. Basic Agriculture: promote herd health, Beef and Sheep Quality Assurance programs, and hands-on sheep shearing school. 5. Traditional/Organic Farming: preparation of test plots, dry land farming, community and school gardens, and farmers markets for exchanging crops with others.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The goal of the Zuni Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program (Zuni FRTEP) is to improve family welfare and the quality of life on the Zuni Reservation by increasing economic opportunity, enhancing natural resource stewardship and promoting healthy lifestyles. Agriculture has always been at the core of Zuni tradition, culture and religious life. The Zuni people have farmed the Zuni River Valley and many of its tributaries for a thousand years, growing fruits, corn, squash, beans and other vegetables. Many varieties of these plants are native to the Zuni Reservation. Past decades have seen a decline in Zuni traditional agriculture due to drought, limited access to water access, and economic factors. The sharp decline in consumption of traditional fruits and vegetables has taken its toll on the health of the Zuni population evidenced by the high levels of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Many elders believe the loss of traditional Zuni agriculture is also weakening the ties of future Zuni generations to their ancestry and Zuni identity. The Zuni Traditional Agriculture Revitalization (ZTAR) project revived traditional Zuni agriculture and farming practices; improved the health of the Zuni population through increased consumption of fruits and vegetable; and, increased income-earning opportunities in the community; and, strengthen the Zuni identity with its traditions and heritage. The students in the science class at Zuni HS established a school garden in 2008. Since then with the help of NMSU Extension Specialist, the students have earned over $7,500 in fruit, vegetable and honey sales at local farmers' markets - this helps keep the program going at the high school. The goal of the Zuni HS Senior Entrepreneurship and Business Development (ZHS-E/BD) is to prepare Zuni HS seniors to successfully start and manage a business in the Zuni community. The students receive over 40 hours in classroom and community-based training is market research, financial analysis and strategic planning in preparation to developing a business plan for a business of their choice. To facilitate the students' opportunities to start a business in Zuni, the ZHS-E/BD program is working closely with the Zuni Main Street Program to develop a business incubator to house 3-5 student businesses. The revolving loan fund is in the process of being established to assist the student businesses to offset their initial start-up and working capital costs. Over the past two years, over 109 Zuni HS seniors have developed plans for a new business in Zuni. NMSU Extension Specialist teaches this class on a monthly basis. Issues facing the youth on the reservation are the same today as they have always been - bullying, substance abuse and suicide. The tribal council is extremely interested in partnering with extension to help educate youth and encourage high school youth to mentor the younger youth. The 4-H program will take the leadership in assisting the tribal council with hosting a community meeting to get youth and parents and other concerned community members talking about these issues. 4-H is still active on the reservation with members participating in bake, canning, ceramics (traditional pottery), shooting sports and livestock projects. 4-H School Enrichment programs include the following - gardening, small enterprise development, and nutrition and health. These programs were conducted in elementary schools and high school with the help of teachers, community members and state extension specialist. In 1994, the Zuni 4-H Club started a small community fund raiser by hosting a "Christmas Light Parade" and charging individuals or tribal departments a $15 entry fee - 20 to 30 floats are entered every year and awards are given to the top three floats - this event continues today. We celebrated our 20th Annual 4-H Christmas Light Parade this year with 18 floats. Without a hired agent in place, the PI has been working with various tribal programs to discuss and working with Bullying issues on the reservation. We've been working hard at having informational community meetings about 4-H and how the program could really benefit youth on the reservation. The home economist from the county office has continued to conduct Kitchen Creation classes, parenting class and other nutrition classes.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training is proved by New Mexico State University and other agencies for the agent. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? An annual report will be submitted to the Director of Extension and to the Zuni Tribal Council. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the upcoming year Zuni Cooperative Extension is slated to support the health and quality of life at Zuni Pueblo through the initiation of a Food System Assessment. The assessment will serve to create a metric by which all food system related programs can determine their success and provide data to enable a more targeted effort that will offer greater focus on where energy should be spent to the best effect of creating a more secure local food system. Assessment team members will reflect a broad cross section of the community with a support team of academics and professionals. Grant funding will be procured to support this effort. Demonstration gardens are planned to exhibit various methods of culturally appropriate gardening systems. A significant emphasis will be placed on demonstrating methods for home composting and soil improvement as well as rainwater harvesting and onsite rainwater retention. Collection of culturally significant germplasm for propagation will also be pursued and funding secured to support such activities. School garden programs continue to be significant and this year we will partner with the University of New Mexico at Gallup in support of a Heritage Farming and Applied Plant Science program that will offer culturally appropriate horticultural training to enable Zuni students to learn horticultural entrepreneurship, thus extending the school gardening programs into a career-level economic opportunity that supports the Zuni cultural identity. Traditional 4-H programs will be supported including livestock projects, ceramics (pottery), shooting, sewing and canning. Enrichment programs will continue, include gardening and small enterprise development and nutrition. This year’s goal is to significantly increase 4-H numbers by greater community outreach and visibility. The annual 4-H “Christmas Light Parade” will provide funding for the club and also create opportunity for 4-H members to be involved in community service. This will be the 20th Annual 4-H Christmas Light Parade. In partnership with Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, Zuni Cooperative Extension will work to support youth through programs encouraging mentorship, mental health and community dialogue, as well as health and nutrition programs. Potential projects include a partnership combining the forces of ZYEP, ZCES and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Youth Program and would involve forestry education and climate change projects. Programs will be offered to support livestock health including Beef and Sheep Quality Assurance programs and a hands-on sheep shearing school. Additionally, a farmer’s market will be re-established utilizing a more culturally acceptable alternative local economy. This will allow gardeners and farmers to exchange their produce without having to sell to one another, which has caused problems in the past. By offering a program based on barter rather than currency exchange it is expected the market will be more culturally supported and sustainable.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Zuni Traditional Agriculture Revitalization (ZTAR) project revived traditional Zuni agriculture and farming practices; improved the health of the Zuni population through increased consumption of fruits and vegetable; and, increased income-earning opportunities in the community; and, strengthen the Zuni identity with its traditions and heritage. The students in the science class at Zuni HS established a school garden in 2008. Since then with the help of NMSU Extension Specialist, the students have earned over $7,000 in fruit, vegetable and honey sales at local farmers’ markets – this helps keep the program going at the high school. The goal of the Zuni HS Senior Entrepreneurship and Business Development (ZHS-E/BD) is to prepare Zuni HS seniors to successfully start and manage a business in the Zuni community. The students receive over 40 hours in classroom and community-based training is market research, financial analysis and strategic planning in preparation to developing a business plan for a business of their choice. To facilitate the students’ opportunities to start a business in Zuni, the ZHS-E/BD program is working closely with the Zuni Main Street Program to develop a business incubator to house 3-5 student businesses. The revolving loan fund is in the process of being established to assist the student businesses to offset their initial start-up and working capital costs. Over the past two years, over 100 Zuni HS seniors have developed plans for a new business in Zuni. NMSU Extension Specialist teaches this class on a monthly basis. Issues facing the youth on the reservation are the same today as they have always been – bullying, substance abuse and suicide. The tribal council is extremely interested in partnering with extension to help educate youth and encourage high school youth to mentor the younger youth. The 4-H program will take the leadership in assisting the tribal council with hosting a community meeting to get youth and parents and other concerned community members talking about these issues. 4-H is still active on the reservation with members participating in bake, canning, ceramics (traditional pottery), shooting sports and livestock projects. 4-H School Enrichment programs include the following – gardening, small enterprise development, nutrition and health. These programs were conducted in elementary schools and high school with the help of teachers, community members and state extension specialist. ZYEP (Zuni Youth Enrichment Project) works with youth all ages on the reservation. With the new agent hired in April we are hopeful of a partnership with this youth organization. We will assist with their community gardens and they will assist us with help the elders with their own back yard gardens. The agent is activity research and assisting the tribal council with a food assessment of the resevartion and helping them beome prepared for diaster. Do they have enough water, what is their water source - all of this is valuable information that every community takes for granted.
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