Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience who will benefit from this program will be the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians living on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in Western North Carolina. This reservation consists of more than thirty parcels of land comprising 56,000 acres. The current population of enrolled EBCI Members is over 15,000, however roughly 8,000 individuals, enrolled and non-enrolled, inhabit the Qualla Boundary. Most EBCI Children attend one of three school main school systems. Some attend two private schools, and some are home schooled. Many adults work for a Tribal Program, Harrah's Casino, or in the tourist industry. Some indirect audiences are non-EBCI enrolled members who may be spouses of enrolled members, first generational descendants, and other races living in the community. Changes/Problems:Due to the nature of the funding cycles specific to the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program and uncertainty of obtaining future funding, potential staff that are funded fully or partially through this grant are reluctant to apply/commit. The main educator for this project has been vacant twice during the past 4 years. These vacancies and in turn new faces, make it difficult to have consistency and maintain trust within the community. However without this funding this program could not be delivered, so the EBCI Cooperative Extension is very greatful to recieve it. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Food Safety Training for Farmers Record-keeping for Farmers Proper crop rotation and cover-cropping for Farmers Beekeeping Instruction Composting for home owners Vermicomposting for home owners Raised Bed Construction Pesticide Certification GAP Certification Pesticide Education Credits CEU's for Agent Associations Tax Preparation Farm Bill Initiatives and Concerns Home Food Preservation Healthy Cooking Classes Use of Native Plants for Artisan Use Use of Native Plants for Food Use of Native Plants for other uses Proper Harvesting of Native Plants How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Community Club Meetings (10 Tribal Communities for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Monthly Newsletter to over 200 community members North Carolina State University Extension Reporting Modules Annual Report to Tribal Council Chief's Annual Report to the People Reports during on-air/live and replayed committee meetings (Natural Resources Committee) List Serves created for topic specific areas Facebook Page created for the Cherokee Extension Tribal Owned Newspaper with over 20,000 views annually What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Each year of this grant through staff direction and creating partnerships with other programs and entities, the FRTEP Program has increased awareness of local food, including current food sources and also traditional foods. A focus has been to increase resources of traditional grown foods through seed production, and rehabilitating native stocks. Best practices for natural resource gathering and consumption have been taught in the classroom and hands-on. For the year of 2017 521 individuals began home food production 1418 participants increased their knowledge about best management practices 1586 youth and adults demonstrated increased knowledge of natural resources and environmental issues 256 youth participated in conservation actions 8,734 Face to face contacts 5,531 non face to face contacts 380 volunteers assisted extension in programming and activities Other accomplishments in 2017 and 2018 VITA Tax Preparation - we house, facilitate, and take the community's calls and establish appointments. In 2017 565 clients served and 485 in 2018. Backyard Ramp Patch Project - we give out ramp bulbs to the community to establish their own resource and lessen the impact on native stocks. For 2017 over 14000 ramp bulbs were given out. In 2018 15000 bulbs. Community Harvest Garden Kits - 850 kits (8500 individual seed packets) were given out in 2017. The same in 2018. Garden Judging - visit and review community member, family, and cooperative gardens, to be recognized at the Fall Community Awards Banquet. For 2017, 51 Community Members participated and in 2018 there were 56 participants. Grow and distribute Traditional Cherokee Seed from the Center for Cherokee Plants, along with providing educational classes and tours of demonstration gardens. Work with other Tribal Programs to provide services to their clients or staff. This included new partnerships with Drug Rehabiliation and Work Force Development, Juvenile Services, Domestic Violence Shelter, Dialysis and Senior Living Center, Tribal Language Academy, and Boys & Girls Club. Cannery open May to October. In 2017 the Tribal Cannery has served more than 60 families. The Tribal cannery has provided these families and the community with over 2000 jars of food. On pace for 2018 to serve a similar amount. Community Awards Banquet - recognize garden winners, community club achievements, and community initiatives. In 2017 we recognized garden judging winners and 9 community clubs. Indian Fair - Extension is responsible for the exhibit hall portion except for the Qualla Arts & Crafts Section. This includes setup, intake, judging, displaying, prize awards, and much more. In the Fall of 2016, there were over 350 fair entries. The Fall of 2017 there were 380 entries. Community Christmas Lighting Contest - organize and provide judging for Community Christmas Lighting Contest.
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Progress 07/01/16 to 06/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:For the reporting period of July 1st 2016 to June 30th 2017.Thetarget audience is the members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, including youth through senior adults. A FRTEP Agricultural Agent was hired September 1st 2016. The FRTEP Agent provided programming to the Cherokee Community through direct engagement in community meetings, instructional workshops, site visits, and through monthly newsletters and media. The Back Yard Ramp Patch Giveaway, the effort to reduce stress on native Ramp Stocks and increase the amount of home grown produce was successful in the winter of 2017 with 11000 ramp bulbs going to 220 families. This was a 10% increase over the prior year. The Chief's Garden Kit Initiative was the most successful yet, giving900 families in the spring of 2017 ten seed backs of heirloom set and onion starts. The FRTEP Program had 15560 contacts for the year of 2016. These contacts include youth, adult, and senior Cherokee Audiences. Students, leaderhips groups, and college tours of the Center for Cherokee Plants continued in 2016. Though the program was without a 4-H Agent for this reporting period, youth were engaged heavily through the FRTEP Ag Agent, Family Consumer Science Agent, and other EBCI Extension Office Staff. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?- 4 adult Volunteers were again certified as youth archery instructors. - Over 90 Adult Leadership Program participants attended Native Food Walks and in turn lead other groups. - 6 workshops were held October to April for the public on composting, raised beds, and high tunnels - 2 farmer meetings were held with 55 farmers attending to discuss better techniques for corn and hay storage. Other topics included pesticide use and documentation, as well as current best practices for soil management. - A lunch and learn session was held at Harrah's Cherokee Casino for staff that can not make it by the office during work hours. Everything from seeds, soil, harvest, and cooking were discussed. 85 people attended. - A booth was held at the Spring Garden Fair. A class on vermiculture and everything lawn and garden was held. There were 12 documented attendees. - staff continue to utilize Extension Workshops, Trainings, Field Days, and Conferences annually. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?For the first time in years, a monthly newsletter was sent out to our mailing distribution list either electronically and in paper form. This newsletter reaches over 1000 individuals by email. The newsletter was also published on the Cherokee One Feather Site with a viewing audience of more than 22000 followers. The program also reports now to the Cherokee Community through a Natural Resources Committee (Timber Committee). This is broadcast on the local cable channel. Results are also listed on the Programs Annual Chief Report, Council Report, and on NC Cooperative Extension Reporting Modules. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Again as before, we are without an FRTEP Ag Agent. The recent agent worked September 2016 to May 2017. Most importantly is to get a well qualified community friendly applicant hired. The EBCI FRTEP Program must work closely with our aging farmers and gardeners. As with national farmers, the average age of farmers is in the senior category. We must preserve and maintain knowledge as well as pass this knowledge to others. The EBCI Extension Office and FRTEP Program will this year be doing farmer interviews and memory banking. This activity is also important to our Center for Cherokee Plants and the seed bank. It is difficult to have full reporting with vacancies in positions. However through recent surveys and site visits, the importance of this program is recognized and the Cherokee Community wants more. This is great news and we look forward to the next year.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
- Increased Chief Garden Kit giveaway to 900 families served. It is estimated that should a family grow the entire kit, the value of food produced is more than $600. This initiative gives family their own access to fresh fruits and vegetables. It also provides an opportunity to engage the family in a healthy family activity for mental and physical fitness. - Increased Back Yard Ramp Patch to 220 families served. This project similar to garden kits allows families to engage in a healthy activity and grow their own food. It also lessens the stress on native wild growing plant stock which receives a great deal of harvest pressure. - After-school programs for youth were continued by accessing youth through the Boys & Girls Club. Youth were taught the importance of seed saving and growing their own food. - The Garden Kit giveaway produced new applicants to our summer garden judging contest. We judged 65 gardens. - Continued partnerships with both the 1862 and 1890 Institutions as well as local Tribal Partnering Programs. - New for this report is a relationship built with the Oconaluftee Job Corp Station. A MOU was conducted for the FRTEP Program to do some education sessions with Job Corp Students, including creating their own raised gardens. In turn the Job Corp will be doing community service projects related to gardening, in specific building raised beds for handicap or elderly Cherokee People. - Also new for this report is the relationship with the Cherokee Children's Home. This is a residential facility for children without families. Classes in food nutrition, food preservation, home making, gardening, and money management were conducted in partnership with EBCI Extension Office Staff. - Workshops were conducted for the EBCI Community in food preservation, raised bed gardening, composting, and high tunnels. These were all surveyed with positive results on an individuals physical and financial health. - The FRTEP Program at the EBCI Extension Office continues to provide a full circle of opportunity and education on growing and eating healthy foods. The circle begins with Ramp and Garden Kit Giveaways, garden judging, consultation and site visits throughout the year, Agriculture and Food Fair entries, food preservation, and continuous education support activities. - Active engagement with our Indian Community Clubs have increased community garden involvement and production. Example, the Big Y Community Garden is at about 3500 feet of elevation and grows greens throughout the year for the community, while lower elevations become to warm for that plants growth.
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Progress 07/01/15 to 06/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:For the reporting period of July 1st, 2015 to June 30th, 2016, the majority of the Cherokee Community were reached through direct involvement in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cooperative Extension Programs: Youth and Adult Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Science, Local Foods, and the RTCAR (Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources. The efforts to reach home gardeners totaled over 750 Cherokee Families. The Tribal Farm Program involved more than 50 Cherokee Farmers and Gardeners farming a total of over 200 acres. The Backyard Ramp Project gave 200 individuals and their families the opportunity to increase the sustainablity of the ramp plant for future generations. Over 100 students visited the Center for Cherokee Plants to learn sustainable farming techniques including seed preservation. The Youth Archery Program engaged more than 50 youth and their families in an educational and safe healthy activity. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?- 4 Adult Volunteer Leaders were certified as Youth Archery Instructors - Over 60 Adult Leadership Program Participants attended Native Food Walks and were able to lead other groups - The NC State Cooperative Extension Advisory Council attended an educational session put on by EBCI Extension Staff at the Center for Cherokee Plants. - EBCI Extension Director taught a "Working with Minorities and Extension on Federal Land" Presentation to the New and Aspiring County Extension Director Training in April with over 22 attendees. - Each workshop or educational lesson provided by EBCI Staff provides training and professional developmentto those attending. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In conjunction with the EBCI Tribal Diabetes Prevention Program and Food Corps, the EBCI Extension Program disseminated flyers with the past year's work and progress in the areas of local food and home gardening programs. This pamplet was given out to over 800 families during the garden kit giveaway. The Extension Director also reported progress and success stories of local farmers to Tribal Council and was seen on cable TV. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Most important is hiring an Ag Agent, as this position has been vacant for 1 year. Other program staff have done a wonderful job in the FRTEP Program and all push to accomplish its goals. The Ag Agent Position is critical in growth of the program. The EBCI Extension Program is also partnering with Tribal Programs in greatest need of additional resources and education such as: Domestic Violence Shelter, Cherokee Children's Home, Tribal Corrections and Jail, Kituwah Language Academy.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
- Increased the number of home gardens from 750 to 800. These range from individuals to family gardens. - Increased Afters-chool Youth Participation from 349 to550 total through work at the local Boys & Girls Clubs and after-school care facilities. -A direct result of the increase in home gardens also increased our summer garden judging participants from youth to senior adult and also increased participation of our Indian Fair Agricultural and Livestock Entries. -As a result of the Chief's Garden Kits Giveaway funded through local funds in the Extension Budget, it is estimated that a family can save in excess of $600 per year in fruit and vegetable purchases by planting their garden with given seed per Agent's prep, planting, care, harvest, and preservation guidance. Over 750 garden kits were given out totaling over 8000 packs of heirloom seed along with onion sets. Throughout the year we also had an increase in community members uses the Tribal Cannery. - Continued partnerships both at the University/Extension Level and also at the Community Level with most all past partners. - Continue to enhance the competitiveness and profitability for those farmers who pursue revenue from their endeavor. -This office also helped a local farmer receive a first time grant award to cut costs of energy through solarpoweredfeeders. - Through the Center For Cherokee Plants, EBCI FRTEP increased the number of school tours and other educational tours in 2015-16. - The Greatest accomplishment is the focus of healthy living by growing and eating healthy foods through the full circle of opportunites and education provide by EBCI FRTEP Agriculture Extension - From providing seed, to garden judging, to the community awards banquet recognizing successful farmers, to the Indian Fair Agriculture and Livestock Judging, to canning. This is a year round interaction and education with the community. - With the retirement of our long time FRTEP and Ag Agent (Sarah McClellan Welch) the County Extension Director or CED along with other office staff have continued FRTEP Goals and Intentions throughout the year. - This office has increased commitment and participation with Community Clubs, through volunteerism, education opportunities, input into Program Goals and has created comfort in asking for help.
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Progress 07/01/14 to 06/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience: During this reporting period, July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, a broad spectrum of Cherokee audiences were reached through direct involvement in EBCI Cooperative Extension's agriculture programs: Cherokee youths, Cherokee families, Cherokee subsistence & commercial growers; Cherokee gatherers and gardeners. Home gardening programs reached more than 800 Cherokee families. The Tribal farming program involved more than 50 Cherokee farmers & gardeners. The Backyard Ramp project drew 200 Cherokee families interested in conserving a culturally valuable native plant. EBCI Archery engaged more than 50 Cherokee youths and their families in a cultural and physically active healthy activity. Changes/Problems: Kevin Welch, Program Assistant, resigned April 9, 2015. The FRTEP Agent, Sarah McClellan, retired June 1, 2015. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Four adult leaders, 2 men and 2 women, were trained and certified in Archery through the North Carolina 4-H Shooting Sports Program. Local demand for high quality organic produce and heirloom seeds prompted one Cherokee family to purchase a 32 acre farm, off of the Reservation, to expand their organic growing operation. They attribute their success and ability to grow their small farming business directly to the years of agricultural education program offered by EBCI Cooperative Extension. An EBCI Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee was established and the first meeting was held in March. Representative from each of the Community Clubs make up the membership of this citizen group. The FRTEP Agent is assisting the Tribe with the establishment of a Tribal Agriculture Committee to engage a group of Cherokee citizens in protecting, conserving and expanding the Tribe's agricultural resources for the benefit of the Cherokee People. A working group of growers, citizens and Tribal employees are currently working on proposed By-Laws that will be introduced through a Resolution to the Tribal Council. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? An Accomplish Report for the year was sent to Tribal and University Leadership including all Tribal Council Members and Community Club officers. The report highlighted FRTEP progress in the areas of new funding partnerships and grants, workshops and programming, service to the Tribe and Community and professional activities of staff. Color pictures were included to illustrate participants engaged in programs such as gardening, agricultural education, archery, and the farmers market. Additionally NCSU requires an extensive reporting system each month recording the numbers of clients, teaching hours, newspaper articles & electronic media, successes and economic impacts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Due to the resignation and retirement of FRTEP funded staff, the Agriculture Agent position will be advertised and refilled beginning June 1, 2015. Current programs will be continued as able by existing EBCI staff. The new Extension Agent will do an evaluation of existing programs and plan additional programs as needed.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Chief's Garden Kit Project distributed 6400 packages of heirloom seeds, 900 serviceberry seedlings, home gardening and seed saving information to 750 Cherokee families. These garden kits provide access to culturally valuable heirloom seeds increasing the self-sufficiency of Cherokee families with their ability to save seeds from year-to year. The potential cost-savings from these home-grown vegetable gardens is approximately $600 per family or, nearly ½ million dollars across the Boundary annually. EBCI FRTEP presented five Science Fair awards to students at the Cherokee Elementary School Science Fair. These projects, and eight other agriculture-related projects, were displayed at the EBCI Cooperative Extension Center for one month. Members of the public, who saw the exhibits, were surprised to see so many agriculture research projects. School programs included: Cherokee Middle School Garden Club - Cherokee Gardening Traditions, Heirloom Crops for the Murphy Charter School's Cherokee Heritage Experience Day; Strawberry Production in NC for Smoky Mountain Elementary' s 5th grade Very Berry Gardeners, Exploring Cherokee Flour Corn for Cherokee Middle School (4x), as well as participated with booths at the SME Health Fair, CES Wellness Kick-off & CES Healthy Halloween Fair. FRTEP also assisted with Science Experiments during in the Qualla Library Summer Reading Program. The Backyard Ramp Patch Project distributed 200 packages of ramp bulbs to Cherokee families for the 12th year increasing the availability of this important, cultural, native food by encouraging Cherokee families to plant ramp patches close to home. Past participants report nearly 80% success growing the bulbs. Each year, informal discussion among participants along with the illustrated materials provided with the bulbs, participants learn to identify good locations to plant ramp bulbs, when, and how to harvest the bulbs. Traditional harvest methods are emphasized because Cherokee traditional method that respects the natural, self-propagation of the plant. More than 70 people, Cherokee Growers and Agency representatives, participated in the first Cherokee Agriculture Opportunity Fair (aka USDA Strikeforce). Growers met face to face with Agency representatives to learn about farm loans, marketing assistance, natural resource conservation funding and other agriculture topics. The event was led by EBCI FRTEP who garnered sponsorship from the Southwestern Resource Conservation and Development council to sponsor the meeting room and a locally prepared lunch. EBCI Agriculture partnered with Tsa La Gi Master Gardeners Harold and the EBCI Cancer Support Group to help build an Organic Community Garden at the Cancer Support House. One Organic Gardening workshop was held for the public. Produce grown was given to families caring for those in cancer treatment & recovery. Grower workshops included how to submit a successful AgOptions grant proposal, Using Facebook to Market Your Products (2x) & Canva to Enhance Your Marketing Graphics. Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) training is planned for fall of 2015. Communication & Technology outreach included 11 agriculture articles printed in Cherokee One Feather newspaper & posted at their on-line site. The Cherokee Local Foods Network Facebook page launched to provide rapid information dissemination related to food sovereignty. Staff participated in Community Club & Community Club Council meetings. EBCI FRTEP provided Service to the Tribe by facilitating the EBCI Farm Land Leasing Program which makes tribal farmland available to EBCI farmers & gardeners. The Agent corresponds with growers and presented 48 to the Tribal Business committee for review. This program allows more than 125 enrolled members to participate in agriculture. Annual grower meetings have discussed farmland leasing policy, farmland needs. The FRTEP Agent is currently assisting growers write a Tribal Resolution to establish a Tribal Agriculture Committee to address food security & food sovereignty issues. The Cherokee Farmers' Market was re-established at the Yellowhill Outdoor Gym with 3 vendors selling 5 times in the late summer/fall. Vendors were recognized at the Community Awards Program. EBCI FRTEP Agent coordinated 152 Agriculture & 24 Livestock exhibits & 5 volunteer judges, arranged for a farm animal display with a neighboring 4-H Club for the Cherokee Indian Fair.
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Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: For the reporting period, the EBCI FRTEP project directly involved over 1045 Cherokee families though our community outreach and education projects promoting local foods & food sovereignty.Most notably, the Backyard Ramp PatchProject, the Chief's Garden Kit, the annual Fruit & Berry Sale, the EBCI Farmland Lease Programand theCherokee Indian Fair. Programming directly involved over 900 Cherokee youths annually. Programs includedschoolWellness Fairs,Summer Reading Program at the local library, bi-monthly Introduction to 4-H Archery sessions, community fairs, gardening programs in the classroom, and community service activities.Newspaper (2900/week circulation), web (10,000 contacts/week)& e-mail communicationincreases the indirect outreach of the project. Changes/Problems: Due to the decrease in Federal funding in the FY14 budget, additional sources have been sought to sustain the EBCI FRTEP. NC A& T University has agreed to provide 25% of the salary& fringe for the FRTEP staff. NC A& T & NCSU have agreed to providefunding for mileagefor staff. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Introduction to Good Agriculture Practices Certification was provided for the Cherokee Central School's School Health Advisory Council.Strawberry Time is curriculum being developed for 5th graders at Smoky Mountain Elementary that includes planitng, hand's on measuring & observation of the strawberry lifecycle and a session on strawberry produciton in North Carolina. Future units will inlcude learing about pollinators, taste testing & making strawberry jam. Kevin Welch was invited to serve as a Mentor for two Nevada Tribes during an agriculuture planning workshop. He also made two presentations on the concept of Gadugi (volunteerism)at national meetings - FRTEP & the Inter Tribal Nursery Council. FRTEPassited with the Qualla Library's Summer Reading Program with microscope observations of insects & worms, roots & plants parts, seed starting & painting with dirt. Responding to requests from Cherokee families, an Introduciton to 4-H Archery Club, was established by FRTEP and two community volunteers. A steady group of 12-18 youths (andresponsible adults) has been meeting bi monthly since September 2013. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Written evaluations are conducted and the results and comments are compiled and presented back to the specific goup, Archery parents & youths, for example. The results are also written up into fact sheets that are provided to all members of Tribal Counicil, Tribal , NCSU & NC A& T Administrations. These fact sheets arepresented tothe EBCI Extension Advisory Council, Community Club Council and members of the public. Newspaper articles in the Cherokee One Feather are also a means to distribute results ofprogramming.Articles arepublished on the Webthrough the One Feather's site. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Efforts in 2014 will focus on agricultural education for Cherokee youths & families, traditional crops, year-round food production & 4-H Archery. Additionally, EBCI FRTEP is involved with community efforts to expand the local foods economy and create jobs. Planned activities: Winter: Reporting, FRTEP annual grant & Intertribal Agriculture Council meetings, EBCI 4-H Family Archery Club, Aquaponic workshop, Wellness Fair at Smoky Mountain Elementary, EBCI farm & garden land lease facilitation, judge CES Science Fair & sponsor 4-H & Center for Cherokee Plants awards. Spring: Archery & leader certification training, 11th annual Back Yard Ramp Patch ramp distribution, Fruit & Berry Sale, FRTEP grant application, Small Farms Week (NC A & T), 11th Annual Chief’s Cherokee Family Garden Kit events (4), clean-up & planting in Garden Classroom and at the Center for Cherokee Plants, Smoky Mountain Elementary Very Berry Garden classroom sessions, 3rd Kolanvyi Celebration, CHS Senior Graduation Award, recruit growers for Gadugi Food Share program, plant Community Potato Patch. Summer: Archery, 4-H Project Day, Kituwah Celebration, Garden Contests, garden care workshops, District Archery Meet, garden care, EBCI Farmers meeting, NC A& T Faculty/Staff conference, Qualla Library Summer Reading Program, plant Gadugi Greens Gardens & winter tunnel demonstration, Gadugi Food Share distribution. Fall: Archery, garden care & harvest, begin seed processing, Cherokee Indian Fair (agriculture & livestock), seed processing, facilitate garden & farm land leases for 2015, Seed & Plant Exchange & Variety Review workshop, garden clean-up, plan for 2015 programs, CES Healthy Halloween Fair, Community Awards Program, Gadugi Food Share distribution, harvest and distribute potatoes. Beyond the annual planned calendar, EBCI FRTEP staff are responsive to the immediate requests and needs of the EBCI community. Our involvement is sought for a many grant-funded projects, wellness fairs, gardening workshops, tours, etc. Staff participate regularly in the EBCI Extension Advisory Council meetings, EBCI Community Club meetings, School Health Advisory Board, Cherokee Cultural & Historic Properties Preservation Committee, Golf Board, American Cancer Society Community Advisory Committee, and the EBCI Local Foods Network.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Center for Cherokee Plants, a Tribal seed bank initiated by Kevin Welch, began producing heirloom seeds and distributing over 2000 vegetable seed packets to Cherokee families every year. These seeds increase the self-sufficiency of Cherokee families and strengthens Cherokee culture. Gardening education through programs such as the Fruit and Berry Sale, the Chief’s Cherokee Family Garden Kits, Garden Contests and the Cherokee Indian Fair Agriculture Exhibits have helped increase home gardening by 60% over the past 10 years. The EBCI 4-H Archery Club has involved 39 youths in education and physical activity. Parents report that the kids are doing better in school because they are motivated to attend! Parents see an increase in self-confidence in their young archers and appreciate the quality time they are spending together learning and practicing this healthy, cultural, family activity. Pesticide Collection Day, the first for the EBCI, collected 592 pounds of unwanted pesticides. The Backyard Ramp Patch home demonstration project has increased accessibility to a cultural wild food for 200 Cherokee families and reduced wild land harvest pressure through the backyard cultivation of 75,000 bulbs. Over 125 Cherokee farmers and gardeners are growing crops on Tribal land through the Tribal Farmland Lease Program facilitated by the FRTEP Agent. More than 600 Cherokee families are eating more fruits and vegetables because they have a home garden. The Center for Cherokee Plants & Harrah’s Heroes grew 4000 pounds of potatoes for hungry WNC families.
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