Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Student hands-on learning with program's rams: 8 college students from Navajo Technical University, 24 high school and middle school students, and 7 veterinary students from Colorado State University and Ohio State University gained experience in shearing, handling, vaccinating, hoof-trimming, physical exams, and animal husbandry throughout the year utilizing the program's rams. Navajo Tech students were also involved in breeding soundness exams with veterinarians in the fall and spring before and after the ram leases. Ram lease: 24 Navajo families from across the reservation leased and purchased Rambouillet/Marino rams from NTU to breed the ewes in their flock in attempts to improve the quality of wool and meat in their own flocks. The leasers also took part in informational seminars regarding proper care, nutrition, and husbandry of their ewes and leased rams. All rams underwent breeding soundness exams before leasing/purchasing including testing for Brucella ovis, all of which were negative before lease/purchase. All rams were scrapie resistant and fully vaccinated and dewormed according parasite testing results. Herd Health: 3 NTU college students, one vet student from Alaska, and 4 vet students from Colorado State University provided a free vaccination and deworming campaign for sheep and goats owned by Navajo elders in the Navajo eastern agency community in the summer of 2018. Over 75 elderly families received this service with flocks ranging from 1 - 65 sheep and goats. Community members received information of importance of vaccinations and parasite control. Responsible pet ownership: 8 NTU vet tech students visited 5local elementary and middle school classes throughout the fall and spring semesters. The vet tech students talked to classrooms about preventative care and husbandry for pets, and they raised awareness of the canine overpopulation in the area and the importance of spaying and neutering. Sheep conference: Over 75 Navajo men and women attended a one-day sheep conference held in May at the NTU Wellness center. At the conference, attendees learned about sheep housing, vaccination, deworming, breeding, and poisonous plants, and were given the opportunity to visit the NTU veterinary facility to take part ina hands-on demonstration regarding proper vaccination, deworming, aging by teeth, and body condition scoring. Beef Quality Assurance: Over 30 producers attended a seminar covering basic animal husbandry, nutrition, and herd health preventative care including vaccinations and parasite control. Producers were certified in their state of residence for New Mexico and Arizona. Garden workshops: NTU extension staff offered seven workshop series and a total of 35 workshops, including one-offs and special events. From 8/2018-12/2018, 52 farmers and gardeners were served by this project. From 1/2019-6/2019, 128 farmers and gardeners were served by this project. Participants learned about gardening, horticulture, home economics, and healthy eating. Garden training: Two cohorts of local producers were trained in topics including: soil health, permaculture, garden management skill, integrated pest management, and others. Total, 8 participants were trained. School garden project: NTU extension staff worked with five schools and one afterschool program on gardening, agricultural, and plant science education. Estimated that 170 Navajo students were served. Collegestudents:NTU Extension is working on developing a 4 year degree program in agribusiness with a concentration in horticulture and indigenous agriculture, and a 2 year degree pro Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?NTU Horticulture Extension Manager, an NTU faculty, and PD attended a four-day USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Health training in Albuquerque, New Mexico that included lecture, demonstrations, hands-on learning, and farm tours. The training focused on soil health principles, and how to practically build an agrisystem with healthy and robust soil. The Horticulture Extension Manager also traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to attend and present at the 2019 1890 ARD Soil Health Research Symposium.She also attended multiple one day meetings and events across the Navajo Nation and surrounding area with stakeholders and change-makers in the agriculture sector to learn about local government systems and local infrastructure pertaining to horticulture. PD and staff attended a financial literacy train-the-trainer training in Oklahoma City, OK. Training has allowed the Land Grant department staff to provide financial literacy training for 88 middle and high school students in the local community. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information regarding the youth camp was disseminated via flyers. A staff member also traveled to over 40 local schools to talk to teachers and classrooms regarding the youth camp. The ram lease project information was provided to the public via flyers in local stores as well as in the local newspaper. Responsible pet ownership presentations were promotedbyNTU vet tech students reaching out to local schools via phone calls and physically visiting the schools. Sheep conference information was disseminated via flyers and localnewspaper advertisements. NTU Gardening extension materials are freely available at select locations on NTU Crownpoint campus. In future, they, as well as select slides and other materials, will be available online. Agribusiness and Soil Health degree curricula are in progress and will be disseminated to the Navajo Nation via online measures, and through local community government. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Ram leasees attended a sheep husbandry seminar before leasing that focused on nutrition, ideal breeding practices, housing, and preventative medicine to promote flock health. 24 rams were leased to local Navajo families to breed their ewes in attempts to improve wool and meat quality intheir flocks. 24 middle and high school students attended a 2 week long camp, which included educational experiences with USDA workers, zoo and wildlife animals, and environmental education. - Items were purchased for the annual youth camp (Safeguarding Natural Heritage Youth Camp) held June 2019. 28 middle and high school students attended the camp. NTU vet tech students traveled to 5 local schools to present to elementary and middle school students regarding responsible pet ownership and local canine overpopulation. The elementary and middle school students received developmentally appropriate informational handouts during presentations. Over 75 men and women from the local Navajo community attended an annual sheep conference held at NTU, which covered many subjects including preventative care, poisonous plants, breeding, and hands-on opportunities to body condition score and observe proper vaccination and hoof trimming procedures on live sheep. The NTU vet tech students were also involved in the presentations and hands-on demonstrations. Over 30 cattle producers attended a beef quality assurance certification seminar and achieved certification in New Mexico and Arizona. Producers gained knowledge in husbandry, nutrition, herd health preventative care including vaccinations and parasite control. 28 middle and high school students completed a 2 week youth program exposing them to agriculture related fields including animal science, veterinary medicine, wildlife biology, environmental science, natural resource, plant science, and soil science. Horticulture program: 150+ farmers and gardeners served, 250+ youth served, 70+ campus students served. Completed 35 garden workshops, achieved record attendance (150+) Completed healthy cooking demonstrations and workshops Engaged students at 5 schools and one youth program in gardening and plant science (150+ youth served) Built 3 new school gardens Provided hands-on, technical training to individual growers (8 participants/families/groups) Participated in multiple reservation-wide community events, including fairs, STEM student days, and community stakeholder meetings (100+ participants) Trained teachers on garden maintenance, education, and plant science concepts (6 participants) Created 19 curricula focused on small-scale faming, gardening, and other horticultural topcis Built a chicken coop for use as an extension and education tool to promote poultry production Maintained demonstration site, and created plans for expansion to include additional growing techniques Horticulture Extension Manager is developing a 4 year degree program in Agribusiness with concentration in Horticulture and 2 year degree program in Soil Health. Graduates will be able to earn their bachelor's degree and associate's degree in these areas. Soil Health program graduates would be able to apply for employment with USDA NRCS as technicians ready to perform the necessary field work. Agribusiness program gradudates would be able to pursue their own business, seek employment with private and public companies, and master's degrees in horticulture or related field. Land Grant department staff have provided financial literacy training for 88 middle and high school students from the local community. Students learned about budgeting and developing commonsense spending plans. Awareness of predatory lending was provided.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Student hands-on learning with program's rams: 8 college students from Navajo Technical University, 24 high school and middle school students, and 7 veterinary students from Colorado State University and Ohio State University gained experience in shearing, handling, vaccinating, hoof-trimming, physical exams, and animal husbandry throughout the year utilizing the program's rams. Navajo Tech students were also involved in breeding soundness exams with veterinarians in the fall and spring before and after the ram leases. Ram lease: 24 Navajo families from across the reservation leased and purchased Rambouillet/Marino rams from NTU to breed the ewes in their flock in attempts to improve the quality of wool and meat in their own flocks. The leasers also took part in informational seminars regarding proper care, nutrition, and husbandry of their ewes and leased rams. All rams underwent breeding soundness exams before leasing/purchasing including testing for Brucella ovis, all of which were negative before lease/purchase. All rams were scrapie resistant and fully vaccinated and dewormed according parasite testing results. Herd Health: 3 NTU college students, one vet student from Alaska, and 4 vet students from Colorado State University provided a free vaccination and deworming campaign for sheep and goats owned by Navajo elders in the Navajo eastern agency community in the summer of 2018. Over 75 elderly families received this service with flocks ranging from 1 - 65 sheep and goats. Community members received information of importance of vaccinations and parasite control. Responsible pet ownership: 8 NTU vet tech students visited 5local elementary and middle school classes throughout the fall and spring semesters. The vet tech students talked to classrooms about preventative care and husbandry for pets, and they raised awareness of the canine overpopulation in the area and the importance of spaying and neutering. Sheep conference: Over 75 Navajo men and women attended a one-day sheep conference held in May at the NTU Wellness center. At the conference, attendees learned about sheep housing, vaccination, deworming, breeding, and poisonous plants, and were given the opportunity to visit the NTU veterinary facility to take part ina hands-on demonstration regarding proper vaccination, deworming, aging by teeth, and body condition scoring. Beef Quality Assurance: Over 30 producers attended a seminar covering basic animal husbandry, nutrition, and herd health preventative care including vaccinations and parasite control. Producers were certified in their state of residence for New Mexico and Arizona. Garden workshops: NTU extension staff offered seven workshop series and a total of 35 workshops, including one-offs and special events. From 8/2018-12/2018, 52 farmers and gardeners were served by this project. From 1/2019-6/2019, 128 farmers and gardeners were served by this project. Participants learned about gardening, horticulture, home economics, and healthy eating. Garden training: Two cohorts of local producers were trained in topics including: soil health, permaculture, garden management skill, integrated pest management, and others. Total, 8 participants were trained. School garden project: NTU extension staff worked with five schools and one afterschool program on gardening, agricultural, and plant science education. Estimated that 170 Navajo students were served. Collegestudents: NTU Extension is working on developing a 4 year degree program in agribusiness with a concentration in horticulture and indigenous agriculture, and a 2 year degree program in soil health. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?NTU Horticulture Extension Manager, an NTU faculty, and PD attended a four-day USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Health training in Albuquerque, New Mexico that included lecture, demonstrations, hands-on learning, and farm tours. The training focused on soil health principles, and how to practically build an agrisystem with healthy and robust soil. The Horticulture Extension Manager also traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to attend and present at the 2019 1890 ARD Soil Health Research Symposium.She also attended multiple one day meetings and events across the Navajo Nation and surrounding area with stakeholders and change-makers in the agriculture sector to learn about local government systems and local infrastructure pertaining to horticulture. PD and staff attended a financial literacy train-the-trainer training in Oklahoma City, OK. Training has allowed the Land Grant department staff to provide financial literacy training for 88 middle and high school students in the local community. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information regarding the youth camp was disseminated via flyers. A staff member also traveled to over 40 local schools to talk to teachers and classrooms regarding the youth camp. The ram lease project information was provided to the public via flyers in local stores as well as in the local newspaper. Responsible pet ownership presentations were promotedbyNTU vet tech students reaching out to local schools via phone calls and physically visiting the schools. Sheep conference information was disseminated via flyers and localnewspaper advertisements. NTU Gardening extension materials are freely available at select locations on NTU Crownpoint campus. In future, they, as well as select slides and other materials, will be available online. Agribusiness and Soil Health degree curricula are in progress and will be disseminated to the Navajo Nation via online measures, and through local community government. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The "Safeguarding Natural Heritage" annual agriculture youth camp is scheduled for the beginning of June, and many materials needed for the camp have already been purchased. The youth ranch camp and STEM camps are scheduled for June and July and materials have been purchased. Recruitment efforts have already been developed. After school programming for children have already been schedule during the fall and spring semesters and supplies have already been purchased. Recruitment efforts have already been developed. Fitness wellness and language, arts and crafts camps will be scheduled throughout the year for youth. We intend to hold another annual sheep conference in the next academic year, encouraging proper husbandry throughout the communityand giving our NTU vet tech students an opportunity for educational community outreach experience. The cattle conference will be held in fall for producers to learn about husbandry, nutrition, reproduction and best breeding practices, herd health preventative care. Vet Tech and Animal Science students will present on some of the topics and assist with demostrations during the workshops. The Rambouillet/Marino rams will be leased out the to Navajo community again in the fall after they have been tested for breeding soundness and Brucella ovis. The people who lease the rams will attend an informational seminar regarding ideal breeding practices, nutrition, and preventative care for their flocks. The NTU vet tech students will continue to provide responsible pet ownership educational outreach to the local youth at elementary and middle schools throughout the next academic year. We are planning our annual herd health campaign in which we provide vaccination and deworming services and outreach education to Navajo elders in the community. This is planned to occur in July. School garden project will continue, and expand to 2-3 additional schools. Garden workshop program will continue, and a fall workshop series will be offered September-October. In 2020, a new cohort of local producers will be trained in the advanced garden training. In summer, the NTU demonstration garden site will be expanded to include container gardening and a berm and swale. Financial literacy education will be provided locally and regionally for students, community members, and youth.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Ram leasees attended a sheep husbandry seminar before leasing that focused on nutrition, ideal breeding practices, housing, and preventative medicine to promote flock health. 24 rams were leased to local Navajo families to breed their ewes in attempts to improve wool and meat quality intheir flocks. 24 middle and high school students attended a 2 week long camp, which included educational experiences with USDA workers, zoo and wildlife animals, and environmental education. - Items were purchased for the annual youth camp (Safeguarding Natural Heritage Youth Camp) held June 2019. 28 middle and high school students attended the camp. NTU vet tech students traveled to 5 local schools to present to elementary and middle school students regarding responsible pet ownership and local canine overpopulation. The elementary and middle school students received developmentally appropriate informational handouts during presentations. Over 75 men and women from the local Navajo community attended an annual sheep conference held at NTU, which covered many subjects including preventative care, poisonous plants, breeding, and hands-on opportunities to body condition score and observe proper vaccination and hoof trimming procedures on live sheep. The NTU vet tech students were also involved in the presentations and hands-on demonstrations. Over 30 cattle producers attended a beef quality assurance certification seminar and achieved certification in New Mexico and Arizona. Producers gained knowledge in husbandry, nutrition, herd health preventative care including vaccinations and parasite control. 28 middle and high school students completed a 2 week youth program exposing them to agriculture related fields including animal science, veterinary medicine, wildlife biology, environmental science, natural resource, plant science, and soil science. Horticulture program: 150+ farmers and gardeners served, 250+ youth served, 70+ campus students served. Completed 35 garden workshops, achieved record attendance (150+) Completed healthy cooking demonstrations and workshops Engaged students at 5 schools and one youth program in gardening and plant science (150+ youth served) Built 3 new school gardens Provided hands-on, technical training to individual growers (8 participants/families/groups) Participated in multiple reservation-wide community events, including fairs, STEM student days, and community stakeholder meetings (100+ participants) Trained teachers on garden maintenance, education, and plant science concepts (6 participants) Created 19 curricula focused on small-scale faming, gardening, and other horticultural topcis Built a chicken coop for use as an extension and education tool to promote poultry production Maintained demonstration site, and created plans for expansion to include additional growing techniques Horticulture Extension Manager is developing a 4 year degree program in Agribusiness with concentration in Horticulture and 2 year degree program in Soil Health. Graduates will be able to earn their bachelor's degree and associate's degree in these areas. Soil Health program graduates would be able to apply for employment with USDA NRCS as technicians ready to perform the necessary field work. Agribusiness program gradudates would be able to pursue their own business, seek employment with private and public companies, and master's degrees in horticulture or related field. Land Grant department staff have provided financial literacy training for 88 middle and high school students from the local community. Students learned about budgeting and developing commonsense spending plans. Awareness of predatory lending was provided.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Box garden trainings 5 family units, all Native American (Navajo) lower-middle class. Primary contacts within family units were all women ages 35-65. All participants lived to Crownpoint and surrounding areas. Gardening workshops 39 individual attendees, 9 individuals who completed all five workshops. Most of the attendees of Navajo descent, with the exception of two Cherokee participants. All attendees lived on the Navajo Nation or closely surrounding area. There was diversity in age. Socioeconomic information was not gathered. Student hands-on learning with program's rams: 6 college students from Navajo Technical University, 24 high school students, and 4 veterinary students from Colorado State University gained experience with shearing, handling, vaccinating, hoof-trimming, physical exams, and animal husbandry utilizing the project's rams throughout the year. The students were also involved in breeding soundness exams with the veterinarian. Ram Lease: 25 Navajo families from across the reservation leased and purchased rams to breed the ewes in their flock to improve the quality of wool and meat in their own flocks. These leasers also took part in informational seminars regarding proper care and nutrition of their ewes and leased rams. All rams underwent breeding soundness exams before leasing/purchasing, including testing for Brucella ovis - all of which were negative before lease/purchase. Responsible pet ownership: NTU vet tech students went to over 5 middle and elementary schools in the Navajo eastern agency to talk to classes of students regarding preventative care for pets and raise awareness of the canine overpopulation in the area. Herd Health: 4 Navajo Tech students and 4 veterinary students from Colorado State University provided a free vaccination and deworming campaign for sheep and goats owned by Navajo elders in the community. Over 75 elders received this service with flocks ranging from 1 - 65 sheep and goats. Fitness: NTU vet tech students organized and offered a few sessions of yoga during the spring semester. This opportunity was available to all NTU students and community members in the Crownpoint area. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has recruited and trained a NTU student employed as an Americorps VISTA volunteer. As a part of the student's VISTA internship, he has recieved technical training and expeirence, and attended industry conferences. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Youth camp and ram lease project information was disseminated via flyers and newspaper advertisements. NTU vet tech students reached out to nearby schools via phone and physically visiting the schools to promote responsible pet ownership presentation opportunities for classrooms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project team will put on the 2-day garden conference (goal B-2), provide additional garden and healthy living workshops to the public, and increase activities in local school, including installing school gardens and providing in-classroom activities. The rams will be leased out to the Navajo community again in the fall, which will accompany another seminar regarding herd health and husbandry. A sheep conference will be scheduled for the next reporting period. This will be available to all sheep producers in the area, and will cover subjects such as vaccination, husbandry, nutrition, and parasites. NTU vet tech students will continue to provide responsible pet ownership presentations to nearby schools to teach the community's youth about preventative medicine for pets and raise awareness of canine overpopulation in the area.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Ram leasers attended a sheep husbandry seminar that focused on nutrition, housing, and preventative medicine to promote flock health. Rams were leased to local Navajo families to breed their ewes in attempts to improve wool and meat quality in their flocks. 24 middle and high school students attended a 2 week long camp, which included educational experiences with USDA workers, zoo and wildlife animals, and environmental education. Navajo Tech Veterinary Technician students traveled to over 5 nearby schools to give responsible pet ownership presentations to elementary and middle school students. The students received developmentally appropriate informational handouts during presentations. NTU vet tech students organized and offered a few sessions of yoga at the campus wellness center during the spring semester of 2018.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audience included Navajo Nation livestock producers, Navajo Nation Eastern Agency and Crownpoint community members and youth, Navajo Nation horse owners, University staff, faculty, and students, and Navajo Nation Eastern Agency sheep producers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Reports and updates have been provided to NTU faculty, Eastern Agency Land Board and community members and to Navajo Livestock producers during conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period we will focus on the following efforts: Recruit a Home Economist to work in the area of nutrition, diabetes prevention, youth development and family financial management. Continue with the youth summer camps. Organize a cattle conference, spring sheep and equine conferences. Conduct 2 horse safety camps. Expand our sheep facility to include a breeding ewe flock. Continue our ram lease program and begin raising our own rams for sale and lease. Conduct a sheep shearing school. Conduct summer herd health programs and continue the collaboration with the state veterinarians to monitor scrapie. Expand on our community gardening programs.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
What was accomplished under these goals? Navajo Technical University Land Grant Department expanded it's extension programming by developing programs in wellness, fitness, agriculture, traditional arts and crafts, responsible pet ownership education, and gardening. NTU impacted 400 Navajo livestock producers. 150 children gained knowledge and skills in agriculture, gardening, traditional arts and crafts, and veterinary medicine through camps emphasizing hands-on activities. Vet Tech students and staff provided presentations and hands-on activities for 30 elementary and daycare children on animal care, husbandry, and population control. A) Provide youth education through STEM youth camps, fitness and nutrition programs, traditional arts and crafts workshops, and responsible pet ownership workshops. 1) Host summer STEM camps for students, ages 14-17, to encourage students to seek higher education degrees in STEM fields. Major activities include environmental science, natural resource, math, GIS/GIT, and plant science hands-on workshops and presentations for 11 students. Students participated in hands-on workshops, lectures and tours targeting animal, veterinary, plant science, range management, fish and wildlife management and large and small ruminant herd health. Outcomes and accomplishments include acquisition of knowledge and skills in science and math. Students reported increased interest in math, science and related careers. Pre/post test evaluations documented knowledge gains in targeted areas. 2) Host fitness and nutrition program for students, ages 13-17, to decrease diabetes and obesity. Major activities included gardening with NMSU and Boys and Girls Club and Standing Rock Elementary school. Outcomes and accomplishments included new fitness opportunities for 120 children though healthy vegetable production. 3) Host a 1-week traditional arts & crafts workshop for students, K-6th grade, to preserve culture and Navajo language. Activities included hands-on traditional arts and crafts activities and Navajo Wellness Model for 11 youth during camp. Outcomes and accomplishments included youth learning how to process wool, set up weaving loom, weave traditional rugs and braid wool lead ropes. 4) Provide responsible pet ownership presentations and workshops for preschool - 8th grade students to encourage youth responsible pet ownership and awareness of canine overpopulation. Major activities 30 children participated in pet ownership workshop. B) To promote sustainable agriculture by providing farm and ranch education through conferences and workshops for Eastern Agency. 1) Hosted 2-day cattle and sheep conferences to address cultural preservation, agricultural productivity, Indian food security, and sustainable use of natural resources. Major activities included presentations and hands-on activities for 150 livestock producers on traditional cultural awareness, Beef Quality Assurance Program, animal health and disease testing, husbandry, reproduction, herd health, preventative medicine, and marketing. Collaborated with NNDA Veterinary Program, NM Livestock Board, USDA APHIS VS, and USDA NRCS. Outcomes and accomplishments included new skills in administering livestock vaccines and parasiticides, trimming hooves, performing livestock examinations, designing corrals and working facitilies, preditor control, wool marketing and grading. Participants taught state requirements for animal ID, scrapie, husbandry, reproduction, marketing and range management. In additon, youth learned importance of tradition of raising livestock during a 2 week summer camp. 2) Conduct ruminant herd health to teach vaccination and deworming to producers and assist state vets in the scrapie identification. Major activities completed include 3 wks of herd health training in Eastern agency. State vets and others assisted in testing area flock for sheep scrapie. Outcomes and accomplishments included herd health work for 150 sheep producers providing vaccinations, deworming and scrapie testing for 3700 head of small ruminants. 3) Organize bovine AI program to address sustainable agriculture, agricultural productivity, and rural prosperity. Cattle producers and students will learn about husbandry, reproduction, AI, genetics, marketing, and calving-weaning. Activities include exams, ultrasound, body condition score, synchronize, and inseminate cows. Vet Tech and Ani Sci students will learn anatomy and physiology of reproduction, laboratory procedures, and perform techniques. Develop a marketing strategy with producers to maximize benefits and sustainability of their cattle operation. Collaborate will New Mexico State University Extension and Navajo Nation Veterinary Program. Project not completed therefore outcomes and accomplishments not achieved. 4) Select students to attend 8-week farrier school by the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization in Penrose, CO, to obtain knowledge and skills in natural balance trimming and shoeing to address sustainable agriculture, agricultural productivity, and rural prosperity. This goal was completed with the selection of one student last year who complete school and is offering farrier services in the Crownpoint area. 5) Host equine 1st aid presentations and workshops on Navajo to address livestock production. Major activities completed include providing two day long presentations and workshops for livestock producers on equine preventative medicine and emergencies in communities of Kayenta, Window Rock and Tuba City for 120 horse owners. Conducted 2 horse safety camps serving 14 people. Conducted a 2 day equine heard health program in Crownpoint. Outcomes and accomplishments include producers learning new skills in husbandry, administering vaccinations and parasiticides, equine dentistry, identifying common diseases and responding to medical emergencies, horse safety and 170 horses were provided dental care, castration, herd health services . 6) Improve quality and productivity of Navajo sheep by providing education and access to superior genetics. Major activities include a ram lease program providing 24 rams for lease to area producers. Instruction through a sheep conference and workshops for ram leasees. Conducted a 2 day sheep shearing school for 6 producers. Completed construction of a new sheep facility. Outcomes and activities include 24 producers leased rams and participated in workshops to increase herd productivity. Post survey results document increased lambing and quality improvement. Utilizedthe new sheep facility to demonstrate proper facility design including the working facility designed and predator proofing methods.. C) Promote wellness, fitness, and healthy food choices through workshops for dorm students. 1) Four workshops, demonstrations, fitness activities, and presentations will be provided at NTU and dorm to decrease diabetes and obesity, ensure food safety, and provide nutrition education. Workshops will cover fitness, choosing healthy foods, food prep in the dorms, nutrition, and reading food labels. An IHS Diabetes Coordinator will present on food prep and reading food labels. Major activities included securing funding from University of Arizona to jointly fund a Home Economist positon to provide nutrition, diabetes prevention, family and consumer science programing. Currently recruiting for the position. Conducted a summer gardening project on the community. Installed 10 grow boxes at 5 homes and training for 50 people on home gardening.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience included Navajo Nation livestock producers, Navajo Nation Eastern Agency and Crownpoint community members and youth, Navajo Nation horse owners, and Navajo Nation Eastern Agency sheep producers. Changes/Problems:No major changes are anticipated at this time. However, as new staff are brought on-board, changes may result and prior review with USDA will be includedinany significant program changes. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Student employee completed 8 week farrier level one training and certification. 5 students and 2 faculty completed a tour of animal care facilities and recieved professional development training in animal science. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Reports and updates have been provided to NTU faculty, Eastern Agency Land Board and community members and to Navajo Livestock producers during conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We continue to experience major problems recruiting and retaining qualified staff. The following areas were affected: STEM camps, physical fitness and wellness camps, wellness workshops. Also, the cattle AI project was affected by understaffing and lack of animal science students to assist with the project despite vast interest in the project by livestock producers. Efforts to address the lack of personnel will include hiring of Land Grant staff, Animal Science Program faculty, and Veterinary Teaching Hospital staff are ongoing and a primary focus.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Navajo Technical University Land Grant Department expanded it's extension programming by developing programs in wellness, fitness, agriculture, traditional arts and crafts, responsible pet ownership education, and gardening. NTU impacted 500Navajo livestock producers. 16children gained knowledge and skills in agriculture, gardening, traditional arts and crafts, and veterinary medicine through campsemphasizinghands-on activities. 90children benefited from the wellness and fitness program. VetTechstudents and staff provided presentations and hands-on activities for 30elmentaryand daycare children on animal care, husbandry, and population control. A) Provide youth education through STEM youth camps, fitness and nutrition programs, traditional arts and crafts workshops, and responsible pet ownership workshops. 1) Host summer STEMcamps forstudents, ages 14-17, to encourage students to seek higher education degrees in STEM fields. Major activitiesinclude environmental science, natural resource, math, GIS/GIT, and plant science hands-on workshops and presentations for 16students. Students participated in hands-on workshops, lectures and tours targeting animal, veterinary, plant science, range management, fish and wildlife management and large and small ruminant herd health. Outcomes and accomplishments include acquisition of knowledge and skills in science and math. Students reported increased interest in math,science and related careers. Pre/post test evaluations documented knowledge gains intargeted areas.2) Host fitness and nutrition program for students, ages 13-17, todecreasediabetes and obesity. Major activities included Zumba classes for 90 children, gardeningwith NMSU and Boys and Girls Club, andYoga for 120 adults in6 sessions. Outcomes and accomplishments included new fitness opportunities for 90children through zumba and healthy vegetable production. 3) Host a 1-week traditional arts & crafts workshop for students, K-6th grade, to preserve culture andNavajo language. Activities included hands-on traditional arts and crafts activities and Navajo Wellness Model for 16youth duringcamp. Outcomes and accomplishments included youth learning how to processwool, setup weaving loom, and weavetraditional rugs. 4) Provide responsible pet ownership presentations and workshops for preschool - 8th grade students to encourage youthresponsible pet ownershipand awareness of canine overpopulation. Major activities -110 children participated in pet ownership workshop.B) To promote sustainable agriculture by providing farm and ranch education through conferences and workshopsfor Eastern Agency. 1) Hosted 2-day cattle and sheep conferences to address cultural preservation, agricultural productivity, Indian food security, and sustainable use of natural resources. Major activities included presentations and hands-on activities for 180livestock producers on traditional cultural awareness, Beef Quality Assurance Program, animal ID requirements, animal health and disease testing, grazing regulations, husbandry,reproduction, herd health, preventative medicine, and marketing. Collaborated with NNDAVeterinary Program, NM Livestock Board, USDA APHIS VS, and USDA NRCS. Outcomes and accomplishments included newskills in administering livestock vaccinesand parasiticides, ear tags, trimming hooves, performing livestock examinations. Participants taughtstate requirements for animal ID, scrapie, husbandry, reproduction, marketing and range management. Youthlearned importance of tradition of raising livestock. 2) Conduct ruminant herd healthto teach vacination and deworming to producers and assist state vets in the scrapie identification. Major activities completed include 3 wks ofherd health trainingin Eastern agency. State vets and othersassisted in testing area flock for sheep scrapie. Outcomes and accomplishments included herd health work for 200 sheep producers providing vaccinations, deworming and scrapie testing for 3500 head of small ruminants.3) OrganizebovineAIprogram to address sustainable agriculture, agricultural productivity, and rural prosperity. Cattle producers and students will learn abouthusbandry, reproduction, AI, genetics, marketing, and calving-weaning. Activities include exams, ultrasound, body condition score, synchronize, and inseminate cows. VetTechand AniSci students will learn anatomy and physiology of reproduction, laboratory procedures, and performtechniques. Develop a marketing strategy with producers to maximize benefits and sustainability of their cattle operation. Collaborate will New Mexico State University Extension and Navajo Nation Veterinary Program. Project not completed therefore outcomes and accomplishments not achieved. 4) Select students to attend 8-week farrier school by the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization in Penrose, CO, to obtain knowledge and skills in natural balance trimming and shoeing to address sustainable agriculture, agricultural productivity, and rural prosperity. Major activities completed include one student graduatedfrom Mission Farrier School, returning to Eastern Navajo Nation to provide farrier services for local ranch horses while collaborating with the NTU Veterinary Teaching Hospital staff. Outcomes and accomplishments included student completing farrier program, student providing services for local ranch horses to maintain soundness for use in livestock production. 5) Host equine 1st aid presentations and workshops onNavajoto address livestock production. Major activities completed include providing ten presentations and workshops for livestock producers on equine preventative medicine and emergencies in communites of Alamo, Tohajilee, Ramah, Crownpoint, Kayenta, Window Rock, Ft Def, Chinle and Shiprock.Outcomes and accomplishments include producers learning newskills inhusbandry, administering vaccinations and parasiticides, equine dentistry, identifing common diseases and reponding to medicalemergencies. 6) Improve quality and productivity of Navajo sheep by providing education and access to superior genetics. Major activites include a ram lease program providing 35 rams for lease to area producers. Instruction through a sheep conference and workshops for ram leasees. Outcomes and acitivites include 35 producers leased rams and participted in workshops to increase herd productivity. Post survey results document increased lambingandquality improvement. C) Promote wellness, fitness, and healthy food choices throughworkshops for dormstudents.1) Fourworkshops, demonstrations, fitness activities, and presentations will be provided at NTU and dorm to decrease diabetes and obesity, ensure food safety, and provide nutrition education. Workshops will cover fitness, choosing healthy foods, food prepin the dorms, nutrition, and reading food labels. An IHS Diabetes Coordinator will present on food prepand reading food labels. Major activities included 3cooking classes for 90 students from dorms. 4 classes were provided to 40 family housing students. 2classes were provided to 50 dorm and family housing studentsin combined sessions. Outcomes and accomplishments include 180 students developed new skills in planning and preparing healthy meals.
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Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience included Navajo Nation sheep and livestock producers, Navajo Nation Eastern Agency and Crownpoint community members and youth, Navajo Nation horse owners, and Navajo Nation Eastern Agency sheep producers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?A major problem was encountered during the current report period due to understaffing of the Land Grant Department and Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Navajo Technical University. The following areas were affected: STEM camps, physical fitness and wellness camps, wellness workshops. Also, the cattle AI project was affected by understaffing and lack of animal science students to assist with the project despite vast interest in the project by livestock producers. Efforts to address the lack of personnel will include hiring of Land Grant staff, Animal Science Program faculty, and Veterinary Teaching Hospital staff.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Navajo Technical University Land Grant Department expanded its extension programming by developing programs in wellness, fitness, and agriculture, traditional culture, arts, and crafts, responsible pet ownership education, and gardening through youth programs. NTU impacted over 235 Navajo Nation livestock producers.Twenty children gained knowledge and skills in agriculture, gardening, traditional arts and crafts, and veterinary medicine through youth camps which emphasized hands-on activities. Ninety children benefited from a wellness and fitness program conducted by NTU. Veterinary Technology students and staff provided presentations and hands-on activities for 450 elementary school students and daycare children on animal care, nutrition, husbandry, and population control. A) To provide youth development and education through STEM youth camps, fitness and nutrition programs, traditional culture, arts and crafts workshops, and responsible pet ownership workshops. 1) Host summer 1-week STEM youth camps for high school students, ages 14-17, to encourage students to seek higher education degrees in STEM fields. Major activities completed include conducting environmental science, natural resource, math, GIS/GIT, and plant science hands-on workshops and presentations for twenty high school students during a two-week youth agricultural camp on the Navajo Nation. Outcomes and accomplishments included student acquistion of knowledge and skills in science and math fields. 2) Host the fitness and nutrition program for students, ages 13-17, to help decrease the prevalance of diabetes and obesity. Major activities completed include promoting and increasing fitness through zumba for children. Outcomes and accomplishments included increasing fitness opportunities for ninety children through zumba classes provided in the NTU wellness center. 3) Host a 1-week traditional arts & crafts workshop for students, K-6th grade, to help preserve culture and the Navajo language. Arrange for students to learn the significance of basketry, making moccasins, pottery, beading, and processing wool. Recruit Dine Studies faculty to instruct students. Major activities completed include conducting hands-on traditional arts and crafts activities for twenty youth during a two-week agricultural camp. Outcomes and accomplishments included youth learning how to weave traditional baskets, beading earrings, processing wool, setting up weaving loom, and weaving traditional rugs. 4) Arrange for responsible pet ownership presentations and workshops for preschool - 8th grade students at area schools to encourage youth to be responsible pet owners and become aware of the canine overpopulation epidemic on Navajo. Major activities completed include presentations and hands-on workshops delivered by NTU Veterinary Technology students and staff for 450 elementary school students and daycare children in the Navajo Nation Eastern Agency. Outcomes and accomplishments included elementary school stduents and daycare children learning about husbandry, nutrition, spaying and neutering, preventative medicine (vaccinations, deworming, parasite control), and diseases. Students acquired hands-on skills including heart and lung auscultation, obtaining heart and respiratory rates, assessing mucous membranes and capillary refill times, brushing and bathing, and assessing body condition scores. Students learned about the canine overpopulation problem on Navajo, the importance of spaying and neutering, to be responsible pet owners, how to meet the needs of their pets, and about proper puppy-training. B) To promote sustainable agriculture by providing farm and ranch education through conferences, workshops, and seminars for Eastern Agency communities on the Navajo Nation. 1) Hosted 2-day cattle and sheep conferences and workshops on campus and at the veterinary teaching hospital to address cultural preservation, agricultural productivity, Indian food security, and sustainable use of natural resources. Major activities completed include presentations and hands-on activities provided for 175 livestock producers on traditional cultural awareness, animal ID requirements, animal health and disease testing, grazing regulations, husbandry, nutrition, reproduction, herd health, preventative medicine, marketing, and range management. Collaborated with Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture and Veterinary Program, New Mexico Livestock Board, USDA APHIS VS, and USDA NRCS. Outcomes and accomplishments included learned skills in administering livestock vaccinations and parasiticides, applying ear tags, trimming hooves, performing livestock physical examinations. Participants also learned knowledge on state requirements for official animal ID, scrapie, nutrition, husbandry, reproduction, marketing and range management. Youth participants learned importance of continuing tradition of maintaining livestock in the family. 2) Host 2-day landscaping and garden conference and workshop on campus to address food security, agricultural productivity, sustainable use of natural resources, cultural preservation, food safety and renewable energy. Major activities completed include hands-on workshops provided on rain water collection systems, composting, backyard box gardening, and drip irrigation. Outcomes and accomplishments included sixty community members acquiring basic information and skills in box gardening, composting, installing drig irrigation, and setting up rain water collection system. 3) Organize the bovine artificial insemination (AI) program of Eastern Agency to address sustainable agriculture, agricultural productivity, and rural prosperity. Cattle producers and students will attend a seminar on husbandry, nutrition, reproduction, AI, genetics, marketing, and calving-weaning. Examine, ultrasound, body condition score, synchronize, and inseminate cows. Veterinary Technology and Animal Science students will learn the anatomy and physiology of reproduction, laboratory procedures, and perform the techniques under veterinary supervision. Develop a marketing strategy with producers to maximize the benefit and sustainability of their cattle operation. Collaborate will New Mexico State University Extension and Navajo Nation Veterinary Program. Project not completed therefore outcomes and accomplishments not achieved. 4) Select students to attend 8-week farrier school by the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization in Penrose, CO, to obtain knowledge and skills in natural balance trimming and shoeing to address sustainable agriculture, agricultural productivity, and rural prosperity. Major activities completed include one student graduating from Mission Farrier School, returning to Eastern Navajo Nation to provide farrier services for local ranch horses while collaborating with the NTU Veterinary Teaching Hospital staff. Outcomes and accomplishments included student successfully completing farrier program, student providing services for local ranch horses to maintain soundness for use in livestock production. 5) Host equine 1st aid presentations and workshops throughout the Navajo Nation to address livestock production. Major activities completed include providing three presentations and hands-on workshops for livestock producers on equine preventative medicine and emergencies. Outcomes and accomplishments include knowledge and skills acquistion in husbandry, nutrition, administering vaccinations and parasiticides, dentistry, common diseases, emergencies.
Publications
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