Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/18
Outputs
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 inlocal schools, as well as several schoolenrichment 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 each year. 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 newsletters with up-to-date research based information coming out of extension research from Montana and other state extension. Wehave broughtextension specialists and state programs to the Flathead Reservation to keepfamiies 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. Changes/Problems:1) Because the tribal Bureau of Indian Affairs has taken on the Land Buy Back Program the Tribal Lands Program who asked for help from extension has indicated that they will not need the help of extension in this program during this grant term. II. Problems overlapped into the current year from the funding cuts in 2014, including ... the hours of the youth development/program assistant were cut from a 0.8 FTE to a 0.2 FTE in this grant. This has caused a delay in starting new programs because of a change of duty for extension employees. Additionally, there has been a reduction in the amount of travel on the Flathead Reservation. With a 1.2 million acre reservation there is difficulty in 1) offering programs in outer communities; 2) attending meetings where extension should be represented; and 3) attending some professional development opportunities. III There has been a change in the CSKT Tribal Lands Department in management. At the onset of the grant, management requested help with estate planning education for tribal members. Several contacts have been made for the last three years to establish this program with no commitment from Tribal Lands Department. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I. In 2015 Montana adopted the Federal Food Code that changed laws on and off the reservation for each establishment to have a certified food safety manager on staff. In 2017 FREO continued to offer classes in ServSafe food safety education to help restaurant owners/powwow vendors/CSKT head start/schools to gain their certification. II. We offer teachers Office of Public Instruction (OPI) continuing education units for teaching in Montana. AND III. FREO offered a Tribal pesticide applicator training to help licensed applicators earn credits needed for licensing. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We provide updates on programs through local newspapers including CharKoosta News, Valley Journal and Lake County Leader. We also provide updates on our office Facebook page. We continue to to expand our social networking outreach to meet the needs of a growing audience engaged in social networking. Our State Annual Report publication is also shared on Facebook and with the CSKT Tribal Council. Results of field research have been shared at the Western Region IAC Meeting in Polson, the 2016 FRTEP Professional Development Meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona, and the 2017 Montana Ag Extension Conference. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
2016-2017 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT--Activities Accomplished: Held adult and teen leader trainings, stem leadership camp, teen orientation, teen mentor/mentee pairings, 4-H Club meetings, lunch mentor activities, Family Night Out with mentor/mentee/family, field trips, homework help, community outreach and engagement, mentor-mentee social skill building, CYFAR STEM volunteer and youth trainings and activities Flathead Reservation 4-H Mentoring Program-- Native students have the lowest high school graduation rate. Two major factors are their lack of social and emotional skills as they navigate the world of academia. Flathead Reservation Extension (FREO) 4-H began its mentoringin 2012. During the past year 90 mentor-mentee matches participated in12 months of mentoring. Areas of focus are: Building Trust, Family Support, Kindness/Community Service, Building Positive Family Communication, Working Together/Problem Solving and Strengthening Family Traditions. During the past year, mentored youth showed average competency increases in both social skills (75%) and emotional competence (70%). Youth also showed academic improvement in at least one subject (14%), two subjects (42%), three subjects (21%) and four or more subjects (23%). (September 1, 2014 - Present). Linking Youth to Environmental Practices using STEM Technologies -- With the vast natural resources on the Flathead Reservation the need for Native American students in STEM fields continues to be a critical issue for successful resource stewardship. Three years ago, FREO, Salish Kootenai College (SKC) and Two Eagle River School (TERS) partnered to help support TERS goals to keep high school youth engaged in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) based careers. The team introduced additional filming opportunities in year three to include field trips to the Ninepipes Reservoir, a tour of prehistoric Lake Missoula and a two day trip to Bozeman with stop at historic Butte Mining Museum and the Berkeley Pitt. While in Bozeman youth toured the MSU TV station, Native American Studies building and Museum of the Rockies. Youth took videos along the way combining knowledge of history and film development. Films were compiled and polished for a big screen debut and celebration in May at the Johnny Arlee and Vic Charlo Theater. Students honored visiting tribal elders as part of TERS Elders Week by gifting their elders with sweet grass and fresh flowers to support and strengthen each youth's cultural and generational connection. 4-H Fishing Club--This summer 4-H Club engages 23 youth in fishing during the summer months where youth learned about threatened and endangered species, where to fish, how to fish, how to prepare fish and how to use a rod and reel. The weekly activities include STEM activities, art projects, hiking, and healthy snacks. Partnering for Youth -- Summer may cause hardships for families who depend on school year organizations to feed and provide supervision for their children. With this in mind, the MSU FREO, Friends Forever Mentoring, The Peoples Center and several school district Summer Feeding Programs came together to bring meals and healthy lifestyle activities to children and their families throughout the reservation. Over 650 men, women and children participated throughout the summer. The partnerships and collaborations of all parties involved were successful in working together to meet the needs of children and their families. 2016-2017 Agriculture / Natural Resources--Activities Accomplished: AG newsletters, Facebook updates, targeted grazing research, phone calls, pesticide applicator/farm and ranch workshops, hay testing, pest identification, emails, office visits, farm visits. Cattle on Knapweed Research in Polson Grazing Units -- . After three years of targeted cattle grazing plus bio-control insects decreased spotted knapweed plant density 66% (from 56.5 to 19.2 plants/m2. There were 26% fewer spotted knapweed plants than with bio-control insects along. Pesticide Applicator Training - Spring 2017 a Tribal employee/operator government pesticide applicator class with held for a full day of in class education and hands-on sprayer calibration for a broad jet, boom jet, hand held sprayer, and a back pack sprayer. Credits were offered, allowing 25 applicators to keep licenses current. 2016-2017 HEALTHY LIVING, NUTRITION, FOOD SAFETY--Activities Accomplished: gardening programs, food preservation programs, ServSafe (4 hr, 8hr) classes, food safety for churches and community organizations/groups, estate planning classes, facebook page, CharKoosta articles, newsletters, garden club talks, home and garden visits, office and phone visits, pest identification and sample submissions Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education -- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) addresses Montana's goals for increasing food security and healthier food choices. Over960 students in first, third and fifth grades learned about healthy eating, food safety and physical activity in a series of six lessons. A large percentage of students talked about reducing their intake of soda and other sugar laden beverages. A fifth grade teacher says she heard her students discussing food labels and sugars in foods. They challenged each other to reduce intake of soda and other sugary drinks. Both adult participants and youth are encouraged to participate in regular physical activity as well as choosing a variety of foods from the five food groups on MyPlate. This year 70 adults participated in SNAP-Ed classes. Many adults reported making healthy changes in their diets as well as increasing their physical activities. Fresh SNAP -- Prior to 2013 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients were unable to purchase farm fresh produce with SNAP dollars at the Polson Farmers Market SNAP recipients may spend $10 of their SNAP dollars at the market and receive an additional $10 matching funds to help stretch their food budget at the market. The Fresh SNAP recipients may opt in to a variety of classes.Funding for this program is made possible through CSKT Department of Human Resources Development and Town Pump. This program has grown from 31 SNAP recipients (4 repeat customers) and $245 to local growers in 2013 to 53SNAP recipients (14 repeat customers) and $1,840 to local growers in 2016. In addition 32 SNAP recipients attended 6 classes. One SNAP recipient now volunteers for the market and is helping to teach others the benefits of Fresh Snap. Keeping Food Safe for Montanans-- To support this effort, FREO partnered with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes sanitarian and both Lake County and Lincoln County Environmental Health offices to help serve the need to license Montana food establishments throughout 2016. Ten eight-hour ServSafe classes were attended by over 250 participants representing a wide variety of individuals interested in keeping food safe, including volunteers, head start, culinary students, coffee shops, churches, K-12 schools, gas stations, lounges and other establishments serving food in their community.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/15 to 06/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The Flathead Reservation Extension (FREO) Project Narrative breaks the target audience into three groups: 1) Farmers & Ranchers, 2) Youth, and 3) Families. During the past year we have reached all three audiences through CharKoosta News, printed publications, Facebook, 1-on-1 site visits, school enrichment, extension classes, health fairs, community events and networking with tribal offices. Changes/Problems:I. Because the tribal Bureau of Indian Affairs has taken on the Land Buy Back Program the Tribal Lands Program who asked for help from extension has indicated that they will not need the help of extension in this program during this grant term. II. Problems overlapped into the current year from the funding cuts in 2014, including ... the hours of the youth development/program assistant were cut from a 0.8 FTE to a 0.2 FTE in this grant. This has caused a delay in starting new programs because of a change of duty for extension employees. Additionally, there has been a reduction in the amount of travel on the Flathead Reservation. With a 1.2 million acre reservation there is difficulty in 1) offering programs in outer communities; 2) attending meetings where extension should be represented; and 3) attending some professional development opportunities. III There has been a change in the CSKT Tribal Lands Department in management. At the onset of the grant, management requested help with estate planning education for tribal members. Several contacts have been made for the last three years to establish this program with no commitment from Tribal Lands Department. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I.In 2015 Montana adopted the Federal Food Code that changed laws on and off the reservation for each establishment to have a certified food safety manager on staff. FREO offered classes in ServSafe food safety education to help restaurant owners/powwow vendors/CSKT head start/schools to gain their certification. II. We offer teachers Office of Public Instruction (OPI) continuing education units for teaching in Montana. AND III. FREO offers pesticide applicator trainings to help licensed applicators earn credits needed for licensing. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We provide updates on programs through local newspapers including CharKoosta News, Valley Journal and Lake County Leader. We also provide updates on our office Facebook page. We plan to expand our social networking outreach to meet the needs of a growing audience engaged in social networking. Our State Annual Report publication is also shared on Facebook and with the CSKT Tribal Council. We have plans in the summer of 2016 to share field research on Cattle on Weeds to local producers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue current programs shared above.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT--Activities Accomplished: Held adult and teen leader trainings, stem leadership camp, teen orientation, teen mentor/mentee pairings, 4-H Club meetings, lunch mentor activities, Family Night Out with mentor/mentee/family, field trips, homework help, community outreach and engagement, mentor-mentee social skill building, CYFAR STEM volunteer and youth trainings and activities 4-H Mentoring: Emotionally youth have shown to gain an improvement of 89% overall (growing self-confidence, expressing feelings, making decisions, personal hygiene as well as seeing themselves as a part of the future). Academically, mentored youth have shown an 84% increase overall (academic performance, attitude toward school, class participation, school preparedness, use of school resources as well as avoiding delinquency). Mentored youth have shown an overall increase of 91% in social competencies (showing trust, respecting others, improving family relationships and relationships with other adults). "4-H Wildlife Biology Club", MSU Flathead Reservation Extension, Continuing Education, Wildlife Biology Club leader Stephanie Gillin works for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe's Wild Life Department, is a tribal member herself and holds Afterschool 4-H club meetings at the Boys and Girls Club., This club meets weekly during the school year with a focus on local wildlife. "4-H Buddy Bags", MSU Flathead Reservation Extension, Continuing Education, Tribal youth club with Tribal leader, Five young ladies organized this group out of a 4-H Club at the Boys and girls Club and made "Buddy Bags" to donate to Tribal Police to give to children involved in a police officer involved action. "4-H CYFAR Stem Education", MSU Flathead Reservation and 4-H Center for Youth Development, Continuing Education, Flathead Reservation. This program occurs at a tribal school Two Eagle River School, with volunteers from Salish Kootenai College and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, 8th and 9th grade students receive STEM education from volunteers in videography, water testing and geology. "4-H Mentor STEM Leadership Camp", MSU Flathead Reservation Extension, Continuing Education, Flathead Reservation, Held a camp for 4-H Mentors to serve children K-6 in multicultural schools, Used Steve Spangler STEM Leadership model to teach teen mentors leadership skills when working with you youth at risk. "Hot Springs School Garden", Hot Springs School District, Continuing Education, Flathead Reservation, Hot Springs School is on the Flathead Reservation and this program was promoted to after school students., Master Gardener connected with Hot Springs school to help develop a school garden and provide gardening education to youth. "Youth Ag Loans", Montana Dept. of Ag / CSKT / MSU Flathead Reservation Extension, Continuing Education, Flathead Reservation, All loans were made to Tribal Youth., Jr. Ag Loans to purchase cattle and start breeding programs.MSU Flathead Reservation Extension is working with these youth on education in youth beef quality assurance programs, and record keeping. FARM & RANCH--Activities Accomplished: AG newsletters, Facebook updates, targeted grazing research, phone calls, pesticide applicator/farm and ranch workshops, hay testing, pest identification, emails, office visits, farm visits. "Research", In the third year, our current study examines the combined use of targeted cattle grazing and bio-control insects at a site on CSKT tribal lands grazing unit near Buffalo Bridge, southwest of Polson. Field work began for this project in May 2013 and ended in August, 2015. We are testing two different strategies to increase cattle consumption of spotted knapweed, without harming the native grasses and wildflowers and without harming the bio-control insects that already inhabit the site. The two strategies are: 1) diet training, and 2) high stock-density grazing. The bio-control insects we are monitoring are two insects that feed on spotted knapweed roots (Cyphocleonus and Agapeta) and one insect that feeds on the leaves and seeds of spotted knapweed (Larinus). Our preliminary results indicate that targeted cattle grazing and bio-control insects work well together. Cattle grazing removed 84% of the spotted knapweed flowers and seed-heads. Spotted knapweed seed production was reduced, and fewer spotted knapweed seedlings established where cattle grazing and bio-control insects were combined versus areas treated with bio-control insects alone. Third year data analysis is underway to determine whether diet training or high stock-density grazing are more effective than grazing by untrained cattle at lower stock densities. (Research team: Jeff Mosley, Brent Roeder, Rene Kittle, Jodi Pauley, Jane Mangold, Rachel Frost, Amanda Gearhart, Tracy Mosley, Jerry Marks, Dan Lucas, & Jim Story) "River Honoring 2016", CSKT, Continuing Education, Flathead Reservation, 434 participants, Work with CSKT annually for the River Honoring.Youth are invited from all surrounding schools. Provide 30 minutes of instruction per group to 16 4th/5th school groups on riparian education. Students get time for hands-on riparian reconstruction to stabilize banks in a milk carton material that mimics soil. HEALTHY LIVING, NUTRITION, FOOD SAFETY--Activities Accomplished: gardening programs, food preservation programs, ServSafe (4 hr, 8hr) classes, food safety for churches and community organizations/groups, estate planning classes, facebook page, CharKoosta articles, newsletters, garden club talks, home and garden visits, office and phone visits, pest identification and sample submissions. "ServSafe 8 Hour", Continuing Education for over 250 individuals, Flathead Reservation, Coordinate with CSKT and County sanitarians to deliver ServSafe curriculum and proctor testing for certification. 100 percent of the 250+ participants attending an 8 hour food safety course indicated they increased their knowledge and that they would make changes to improve the safety of food. "Food Safety", two to four hours. Class participants came from a variety of churches and organizations who cook for the community. Classes included personal hygiene, food safe cooking temperatures, holding temperatures, serving, cleaning and sanitizing. "Preserving Farm Fresh Produce", Polson Farmers Market, Continuing Education. All (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) SNAP participants shopping at Farmers Market in Polson were invited to attend. Three hands-on classes were held.Participants learned to hot water bath high acid foods purchased at farmers market as well as freezing, drying and preparing preserves. Children attending gained in 4-H activities. "SNAP Ed for Adults and Youth", MSU Flathead Reservation Extension, Continuing Education offered to 1120 participants, All students in 1st, 3rd & 5th grade receive SNAP Education.All ethnicity types are included. Adult Ed participants are all SNAP recipients. All participants receive 6 lessons in nutrition, now to make healthy choices and incorporate physical activity into their day. "Hot Springs School Garden", Hot Springs School District, Continuing Education. Hot Springs School is on the Flathead Reservation and this program was promoted to after school students. FREO Master Gardeners and 4-H volunteers connected with Hot Springs school to help develop a school garden and provide gardening education to youth. Women-4-Wellness 2016, Pablo, Flathead Reservation, MT, Exhibitor, and approximately 1400 women attend Women-for-Wellness sponsored by Salish Kootenai College, a primarily Native American owned, operated, and attended college.This health fair is marketed by SKC to all in the community. FREO Provides education, handouts and answers questions related to gardening, nutrition, 4-H and food preservation.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/14 to 06/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The Flathead Reservation Extension (FREO) Project Narrative breaks the target audience into three groups: 1) Farmers & Ranchers, 2) Youth, and 3) Families. During the past year we have reached all three audiences through CharKoosta News, printed publications, Facebook, 1-on-1 site visits, school enrichment, extension classes, health fairs, community events and networking with tribal offices. Changes/Problems:Because the tribal Bureau of Indian Affairs has taken on the Land Buy Back Program the Tribal Lands Program who asked for help from extension has indicated that they will not need the help of extension in this program during this grant term. Problems overlapped into the current year from the funding cuts in 2014, including ...the hours of the youth development/program assistant were cut from a 0.8 FTE to a 0.2 FTE in this grant. This has caused a delay in starting new programs because of a change of duty for extension employees. Additionally, there has been a reduction in the amount of travel on the Flathead Reservaton. With a 1.2 million acre reservation there is difficulty in 1) offering programs in outter communities; 2) attending meetings where extension should be represented; and 3) attending some professional development opportunities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?FREO offers classes in ServSafe education and these classes have been utilized this year as professional development for restaurant owners inside and outside the Flathead Reservation. We also offer teachers Office of Public Instruction (OPI)continuing education units for teaching in Montana. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We provide updates on programs through local news papers including CharKoosta News, Valley Journal and Lake County Leader. We also provide updates on our office Facebook page. Federal Annual Report is shared with the Tribal Council. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continuing programs shared above.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
AMERICAN INDIAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS: With the changes to the Farm Bill Flathead Reservation Extension Office (FREO) has worked with Farm Service Agency and Lake County Extension to provide farm bill workshops and help farmers understand the programs under the Farm Bill. FREO and Tribal Lands Department worked jointly to develop publications and news releases for control of new invaders, including Rush Skeletonweed and Medusahead. FREO works one-on-one with farmers and ranchers on farm sites helping to identify species of concern, gathering hay samples and identifying goals for range, pasture and hay land. FREO participated in research on the Flathead Reservation grazing range units comparing diet training and stocking rates in an effort to control knapweed on rangelands. The two year's results were shared with producers during the past 12 months. Preliminary results indicate that targeted cattle grazing and bio-control insects work well together. Cattle grazing removed 84% of the spotted knapweed flowers and seed heads. In his 5th year, one tribal member continues to compost tons of fish carcasses from a local fishing derby and now collects leaf waste from the city and herbicide-free yard waste and turns waste into useable garden compost. One gardener applied for and received funding from Natural Resources and Conservation Service for a high tunnel and now grows chemical free produce for sale or barter to other local families. AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILIES: FREO and Tribal Lands Department provided a workshop on the Keepseagle Tax Workshop so families would know how to claim Keepseagle award settlements on their taxes during the last calendar year. FREO consulted with community members during the Women's Health Fair where over 1,000 individuals received extension publications in safe food preservation and gardening. Through communication many participants reconnected with extension and took both gardening classes and food preservation classes. FREO provided Supplemental Nutrition Education to 998 youth in 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades, as well as 89 adults who completed six lessons in extension education. Following these six lessons participants identified changes they have made for the better in both physical activities and changes in the foods they eat. FREO provided both 4 hour and 8 hour Food Safety classes through the Tribal Sanitarian's office to CSKT Head Start cooks, local restaurant food service workers, and cooks for senior citizen centers. Head Start cooks serve food to over 280 children on the reservation and identified after the class they were more comfortable checking temperatures and knew how to calibrate thermometers. Knowledge in cleaning and sanitizing was also identified as one of the most important changes they would make. AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH: More than 179 youth received Afterschool 4-H and FREO 4-H Mentoring (Youth and Families with Promise) programs take place at the Ronan School, Pablo School and Ronan Boys and Girls Club. Youth receive homework help and join in 4-H Activities such as the 4-H Wildlife Club and 4-H Native Crafts, Fishing, and Photography club where children learn from Salish leaders who teach them skills along with some history, culture and Salish for their activities. Five of 4-Hers started a community service committee (the Respectful, Honoring, Caring and Kind Committee) building Buddy Bags for other children to be provided by Tribal Police during traffic stops. Following school gardening 101 instructions, 7 schools have started school gardens. The two newest school gardens are Hot Springs and Polson. Children in the mentoring program also engage in Family Night Out where they, their families and their mentors share a meal and engage in relationship building games and cultural activities.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The Flathead Reservaton Extension(FREO)Project Narrative breaks the target audience into three groups: Farmers and Rachers, Youth and Families. During the first year of the grant Work with farmers/ranchers in pasture/range management. During the past yearFREO hasreached farmers and ranchers ad provided education in weed management, provided a publicaton for a newer invader - Rush Skeletonweed and Medusahead. In addition, two pesticide safety education was provided duing this license renewal year. Futher, FREO engaged in research on behalf of farmers and ranchers to find ways to use livestock to manage some of the well established weeds in an effort to improve range conditions. FREO provided outreach and educationto families through gardening educaton and food preservaton. FREO attends many community education events to reach new audiences in the community, including Women's Health Fair where we ineract with hundreds of families, answer questions,and hand out extension publications. Youth were reached by FREO during the school hours by providing school enrichment and Supplemental Nurition Education, and during the afterschool hours in 4-H clubs, including the wildlife club and an afterschool homework club.During the summer months youth engage in summer gardening clubs and culture camps. FREO also held a five weekSchool Garden 101 clss for educators and have seen eight schools now starting school gardens. Changes/Problems: Major problems this year were funding. Due tofunding cuts,the hours ofthe youth developmentprogram assistant were cutfrom a 0.8 FTEto a 0.2 FTE. This has caused a delay in starting new programs because of a change of duty for extension employees. Additionally, there has been a great reduction in the amount of travel on the Flathead Reservaton. With a 1.2 million acre reservation there is difficulty in 1) offering programs in outter communities; 2) attending meetings where extension should be represented; and 3) attending some professional development opportunities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? FREO partnered with the MSU Forestry Program to offer professional development opportunities to teachers in Project Learning Tree and Growing Up Wild. Teachers received 6 continuing education units through Montana Office of Public Instruction and 6 continuing education credits for Early Childhood. FREO offered a five week series to teachers of al grades to attend a School Garden 101 class where teachers learned about gardening and how to teach gardening to youth. Teachers were provided hands-on lessons to help them meet benchmarks in education as well as how to incorporate Indian Education for All. Teachers received 12 continuing education units for attending this class. Teachers also engaged in homework activities that helpe them build capacity in their community, map assets, and work with their schooL boards and maintenance programs to install gardens. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results are disseminated on activities through word of mouth,Facebook, local papers (CharKoosta, Lake County Leader, Valley Journal)and newsletters. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continuing our current programs identified above.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Toward its goals, this past 12 months FREO has focused efforts on the following projects: American Indian Farmers and Ranchers: Weed pressures on rangeland - Private (Farm)Pesticide Applicators renewed licenses duing the past 12 month cycle. In an effort to help farm applicators renew licenses and receive pesticide safety education, FREO held two renewal trainings. These trainings provide an opportunity to provide range management education and focus on ways to improve range. Participants learned about current research, biocontrols, monitoring, grazing principals, and pocket gopher control. FREO and Tribal Lands Department worked jointly with the Tribal Forestry Department to train employees how to differentiate between listed noxious weeds and native plants. One day of classroom training was held followed by a foresty hike to identify species on-the-ground. Foresters were able to identify targeted noxious weeds and timing of control. FREO and Tribal Lands Departmet worked jointly to develop publications and news releases for control of new invaders, inluding Rush Skeletonweed and Medusahead. FREO works one-on-one with farmers and ranchers on farm sites helping to identify species of concern, gathering hay samples and identifying goals for range, pasture and hay land. Farmers and ranchers are better equiped to make management decisions from extension education. FREO participated in new research on the Flathead Reservation comparing diet training and stocking rates in an effort to control knapweed on rangelands. The first year's results were shared with prducers during the past 12 months. These results, with minimal inputs enable ranchers utilize cattle for control of some weeds in the pasture. AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILIES: FREO and Tribal Lands Departmentprovided a workshop on the Keepseagle Tax Workshop so families would know how to claim Keepseagle award settlements on their taxes during the last calendar year. FREO consulted with community members during the Women's Health Fair where over 1,000 individuals received extensin publications in safe food preservation and gardening. Through communication many partcipants reconnected with extension and took both gardening classes and food preservation classes. FREO provided Supplemental Nutrition Education to 960 youth in 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades, as well as 72 adults who completed six lessons in extension education. Following these six lessons participants identified changes they have made for thebetter in both physical activities and chages in the foods they eat. FREO provided both 4 hour and 8 hour Food Safety classes through the Tribal Sanitarian's office to CSK Head Start cooks, local restaurant food service workers, and cooks for senior citizen centers. Head Start cooks serve food to over 280 children on the reservation and identified after the class they were more comfortable checking temperatures and knew how to calibrate thermometers. Knowledge in cleaning and sanitizing was also identified as one of the most important changes they would make. AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH: More than 50 youth attended the Kid's Health Fair and learned about UV radiation through FREO activities. Each child made and received a UV bracelett that changes colors when they need sunscreen. They were able to walk outside and immediately find out if they needed to ask for sunscree. 12 students completed the Texas A&M Jr. Master Gardener Series over a nine month period. FREO 4-H Mentoring (Youth and Families with Pomise) programs take place at the Ronan School, Pablo School andRonan Boys and Girls Club. Youth receive homework help and join in 4-H Activities such as the4-H Wildlife Club an 4-H Native Crafts club where children learn from Salish leaders who teach them history, culture and salish words for many of their activities. These children also attend a week long Salish Language and Culture Camp. FREO partnered with FoodCorps and offered a 9 month classroom series on gardening and eating local foods. 47 4-H youth paricipated in this afterschool program. They used the curriculum from Texas A&M titled ealth and Nutrition in the Garden and Literature in the Garden. They engaged in field trips to a local greenhouse, they created their own "MyPlate" they could take home and use for eating their meals so they know how many fruits and vegetables they need to eat at each meal. They also grew and transplanted vegetables and taste tested a variety of new vegetables. FREO and FREO Master Gardeners held summer programs at the Polson and Ronan Boys and Girls Clubs. These weekly summer garden programs enabled youth to grow and eat their own fruits and vegetales throughout the summer.
Publications
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