Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation youth, elders, council members, and tribal members at large. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?On-site hands-on training on integrated pest management of vegetable crops to tribal youth working at the farm from 2018-2022.Conducteda farm business management class series with 5 tribal members, including the two youths, on the reservation in 2017-2018. Continue to train tribal members on how to update the business plan through 2022. The MPTN was added as a training site for the UConn Beginning Farmer & Rancher Grant Program's Solid Ground educational training in 2017. A class on finance training was held with 13 adults in attendance in 2017. A seed starting class for vegetables for the farm was held with 14 tribal youth (including the 2 paid youth) and 5 adults in 2018. The basics in vegetable production course was developed and taught at the tribal location (4-8 participants) 2018-2019. UConn Extension Vegetable Program offered an online Vegetable Production Certificate course in 2020-2022. Fivetribal members (including 2 grant-paid youth) enrolled in the course. A tribal youth (who was a grant-paid employee) was trained and receivedthe Connecticut Private Pesticide Applicator's License Exam in 2020. Worker Protection training was conducted for the farm employees including the farm manager in 2017 and 2022. Two tribal members participated in the hydroponic greenhouse production training in Arizona in 2022. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A project website was developed to share the project results in 2021: https://ctnations.cahnr.uconn.edu/tribes-extension-program/ An article highlighting the progress of this project was published on September 15, 2022 onUConn Today:Respecting Roots and Growing for the Future with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nationhttps://today.uconn.edu/2022/09/respecting-roots-and-growing-for-the-future-with-the-mashantucket-pequot-tribal-nation/ An article reporting the progress of this project was published on UConn Extension's blogpost: UConn Extension is growing food and health with the Mashantucket Tribe. UConn Extension. 13 Sept. 2019. A report highlighting the progress of this project was published in 2019 Highlights of UConn Extension: Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation growing food with UConn Extension. 8 May 2020.http://cag.uconn.edu/ces/highlights/2019/index.html?page=6 A YouTube video reporting this project was published by UConn in 2019: UConn Extension Growing Food With the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iucaAVp6cBw&feature=emb_logo . The accomplishments of theproject and plans were discussedwith the MPTN leaders including the chairman, council members, and other Tribal members in multiple venues in 2021-2022. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
UConn Extension received a FRTEP grant in 2017 for the first time. The main goals of the project were to improve food security in the MPTN, engage Tribal youth, boost the economic viability of the Tribe's agricultural enterprises, and educate Tribal members about nutrition and health. Since the start of the UConn FRTEP, UConn Extension educators and staff have been working more extensively with the MPTN and providing training to achieve the project goals. Before the start of the FRTEP grant in 2017, 1.5 acreswas cultivated on the reservation. In 2021, 10 acres was cultivated. Since 2017, 5 households have started backyard gardening, and a school garden has been established and maintained by program participants. Jeremy Whipple, the Executive Director of the Tribal Department of Agriculture attributed this change to the FRTEP grant: "Before 2017, no one was thinking that farm was going to benefit the Tribe. Gardening was basically a hobby. Since the FRTEP grant started, we employed people to grow crops, harvest more maple syrup, generated a lot more income, and started doing events that got people's attention." Jeremy also reported, "before the start of the grant, the revenue was $5,000 per year, all of it from maple syrup." In 2021, the gross revenue was $78,000, of which $70,000 was from maple syrup and $8,000 from vegetables grown at meechooôk farm, the tribal farm built with the help of this grant. A farm stand was started in the spring of 2022 and is operational since then.The farm produce and products have also been sold at local supermarkets. The farm has created and used a farm logo to market and brand farm products. Jeremy added, "There has been significant growth in agricultural production, food security, and health for the members of the nation since the start of the UConn FRTEP. Building on this success, we have recently created the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Department of Agriculture. Our MPTN Department of Agriculture formalizes the education, nutrition, and farming work previously done in collaboration with UConn Extension." With the help of the FRTEP grant, meechooôk farm is now equipped to scale up its production and sales. Since the start of the grant, Tribal youth have been engaged through cooking/nutritional workshops offered by UConn Extension nutrition educators. A fitness class for youth as well as a youth-led marketing campaign for the MPTN farm produce was completed. When in-person interactions were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of virtual cooking classes were held from 2020 through 2022. On average, the number of participants in those virtual classes was 20 (highest 55). Youth, their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends participated in those classes. Turkey chowder and stuffing cups, quesadillas and salsa, impossible cheeseburger pie and blueberry slump, apple hand pies, Shepard's pie, and cinnamon swirl pancakes with turkey breakfast sausage were some of the recipes demonstrated in the class. MPTN has leveraged infrastructures and relationships built through FRTEP to secure funding from other agencies. Jeremy Whipplehighlighted in an interview the broader impact of the grant, "What the FRTEP grant has done for the Tribal community and all departments is make them more aware of the positive effects of farming can have for the community and Tribal departments. For example, our IHS [Indian Health Service] got a grant for diabetic patients to eat fresh vegetables as a prescription." Additionally, the MPTN has received funding from Natural Resource Conservation Service to build 4 high tunnels at their farm. They have also received funding from the Native American Agricultural Fund to support their agricultural enterprise. Daniel Menihan, an MPTN Councilor in an interview said, "The partnership with UConn has made the Tribe stronger. It definitely refocused our attention toward farming and healthier eating. Since day 1, we positioned UConn and the Tribal nation as partners, both having a say in the direction that we go in and being able to rely on one another." Another Tribal member added, "There are efforts within the Tribe to show our commitment and do our part to support this [FRTEP] program. We want to show the Tribe's commitment as well as not having to rely solely on UConn. We've gotten a great deal from UConn." The following bullets summarize the major accomplishments under these goals: 1. Food production has significantly increased from 1.5 acres before the start of the grant to 10 acres in 2022 2. Establishment of two hydroponic greenhouses in 2021 and successful production of hydroponic tomato and lettuce in 2022 3. Establishment of Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Department of Agriculture in 2021 4. Continuation of community garden and addition of one school garden by the program participants, mainly youth 5. Leveraged the relationships and infrastructures built through this FRTEP grant to apply and secure grant funding from other funding agencies such as NRCS and the Native American Agriculture Fund 6. Four grant-paid employees were trained in commercial sustainable vegetable production 7. Health and diabetes education provided through in-person and virtual workshops and training 8. Improved health and well-being of the tribal members as highlighted by tribal representatives in a listening session In summary, thisFRTEP project (2017-2022) has aided in the development of a strong partnership between members of UConn and members of the MPTN.UConn Extension has worked collaboratively with many members of the Tribal community in many areas, including food production, youth development through 4-H programs, and Tribal health and nutrition. In the listening session, a member of the MPTN Tribe highlighted the value of the existing relationship with UConn and a need for continued collaboration, "This [FRTEP] grant has been a huge jumpstart for the [MPTN] community because what better can you do than provide healthy food for your community and your people as indigenous people as a whole suffer from high rates of diabetes and high blood pressure."
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
UConn Extension. Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation growing food with UConn Extension. 2019 Highlights of UConn
Extension. 8 May 2020. http://cag.uconn.edu/ces/highlights/2019/index.html?page=6
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
University of Connecticut, 2021. Website for Tribes Extension Program. https://ctnations.cahnr.uconn.edu/tribes-extension-program/
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation youth, elders, council members, and tribal members at large. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?On-site hands-on training on integrated pest management of vegetable crops to tribal youth working at the farm. Co-PI Joseph Bonelli trained tribal youth on updating a farm business plan. UConn Extension Vegetable Program offered a fully online vegetable production certificate course. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the resource inventory and needs assessment were compiled on May 10, 2021and shared to an MPTN Council member who is active in this overall project, as well as to the tribal members who are involved in the FRTP activities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue the educational programs already underway, both in the classroom and in the field. We will work closely with the 2 youth hired and other tribal members who have been participating in this project. Some specific activities during the next reporting period are: Develop a plan to adapt two high tunnels to hydroponics Continue sales to Tribal community and Foxwoods Maintain mobile vegetable stand periodically moving to three different locations during the season Construct 2 new high tunnels Form a 4-H Club
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments under Goal 1 - Improve food security/availability In the past year, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) farm business has been significantly expanded in terms of production, crop diversity, and farm revenue. University of Connecticut's FRTEP team provided training, equipment, and materials that were needed to develop and improve the agricultural enterprise at the MPTN. Some examples of the materials and equipment added to the farm include refrigeration system, deep freezer, food dehydrator, disk, plow, corn planter, mulch layer, sprinkler, sprayer, produce wash stations, customize packaging, and deer fencing. A mobile farm stand was built and utilized in transporting food to the tribal communities. Blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry plantings were also added to the farm with the goal of broadening the access to produce to the community. Accomplishments underGoal 2- Improve Tribal youth engagement and communications The project team hired an individual to work with tribal youth on youth engagement and nutrition education. Youth from the High Five project, and Parks & Recreation Center at the MPTN were engaged through a series of cooking/nutritional workshops offered by our Extension Nutrition Educators. A fitness class for youth as well as a youth-led marketing campaign for the MPTN farm produce was done. In 2021, we are startingsummer programming for MPTN youth. The plan includes setting up a small set of raised beds for the youth to work with regularly. Accomplishments underGoal 3- Improve economic viability of agricultural efforts The revenue from the farm produces increased by 111%, from $2,600 in 2019 to $5,500 in 2020. MPTN farm products started being sold at local supermarkets and participation of the farm at the local farmers' markets is expected to start from July 2021. The farm has created and used a farm logo to market and brand the farm products. Also, a mobile farm stand has been used to transport and market produce to the key community locations in the reservation. Over the past year, the group worked on a supply and demand assessment between the MPTN farm enterprises and Foxwood Resort and Casino. Pricing for farm produces has been discussed. Accomplishments underGoal 4- Improve the overall health of MPTN members In the past year, UConn Extension Nutrition Educators worked with the High Five project, and Parks and Recreation Center at the MPTN to engage youth and adults in a series of virtual cooking/nutritional workshops. Thirteen virtual cooking classes were held between Sept. 2020 and March 2021. On average, the number of participants in those virtual classes was 20 (highest 55). Youth, their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends participated in those classes. Turkey chowder and stuffing cups, quesadillas and salsa, impossible cheeseburger pie and blueberry slump, apple hand pies, Shepard's pie, and cinnamon swirl pancakes with turkey breakfast sausage were some of the recipes discussed in the class. The virtual class will be continued.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation youth, elders, council members and tribal members at large. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Education for tribal members: 2 tribal membersattended the 2020CT Vegetable & Small Fruit Conference Co-PI Joe Bonelli trained tribal youth on how toupdate a farm business plan UConn Extension Vegetable Program offered an online Vegetable Production Certificate course. 5 tribal members (including 2 grant-paid youth) enrolled the course. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?An article reporting the progress of this projectwas published on UConn Extension's blogpost:UConn Extension is growing food and health with the Mashantucket Tribe. UConn Extension. 13 Sept. 2019. . A YouTube video reporting this project was published by UConn:UConn Extension Growing Food With the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iucaAVp6cBw&feature=emb_logo. A report highlighting the progress of this project was published in 2019 Highlights of UConn Extension: Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation growing food with UConn Extension. 8 May 2020. http://cag.uconn.edu/ces/highlights/2019/index.html?page=6 The results of the resource inventory and needs assessment were compiled and shared to a MPTN Council member who is active in this overall project, as well as the tribal member who is in charge of the farming operation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue the educational programs already underway. We will work closely with the 2 youth hired and other tribal members who have been participating in this project. Some specific activities during the next reporting period are: Hirean individual focused on youth engagement and nutrition education related to the farm activities Grow tomatoes andlettuce in the high tunnel, & pumpkins, squashes, andsweet corn in the field Continue providingtraining on farming and youth engagement to grant paid youth and other interested tribal members Update the business plan as needed Review the progress of the objectives or goals
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The relationship between the tribe and the University of Connecticut has strengthened as a result of activities of this project, resulting in increased participation of tribal members at the Extension programs offered by the University. This project continued to employ 2 youth inthe Train-the-Trainer program for the commercial sustainable vegetable and farming operation. Five youths (including 2-grant paid employees)enrolled the online vegetable production certificate course that UConn Extension Vegetable Program offeredfrom March 5 to April 12, 2020. Major accomplishments under each project goal are presented below: Accomplishments under Goal 1: Throughout the past year, the program has focused on building the business enterprise of the farm to ensure that local produce is available to the community. New equipment was purchased to support growing efforts. The farm established refrigeration, set up lighting, and designed a logo for the business. Additionally, plans have been laid to build a mobile vegetable market that can be moved throughout the community. This will support the goals of broadening access to produce to the community. Applications have been submitted to local farmers' markets, as well, further establishing a network of opportunities for members of the community to access the food grow on the farm. Accomplishments under Goal 2: While efforts were made to do more with tribal youth this year, broader youth engagement has been slow to be realized. As such, our team has pivoted to focus more on working with existing MPTN programs, including the High 5 program, afterschool programs, and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research center. Over the past year, youth were engaged through cooking/nutritional programs offered by our Extension Nutrition Educators, a school garden located at the early learning childcare facility was maintained by program participants. On-farm visits from MPTN after school program participants also contributed to the youth outreach efforts this year. In the year to come, our group will work with the new education coordinator to hire an individual focused on youth engagement and nutrition education related to the farm activities. This individual will help to establish opportunities for youth to get more involved with the farm, and related cultural, activities. Accomplishments under Goal 3: Over the past year, the group worked to build the business enterprise of the farm activities. Pricing for distribution to casino restaurants has been discussed and purchase agreements are set to be established prior to this growing season. Efforts to establish the farm as a corporate entity of the MPTN are also underway. The farm has created an official name and logo and will use these to market and brand the farm business going forward. New this growing season, the farm will also host a mobile farm stand that will travel throughout the reservation to key community locations. Produce from the farm will also be sold at local farmers' markets pending available and processing of paperwork. Accomplishments under Goal 4: While the broad engagement of MPTN members around health-related issues has been slow to be realized, this year the team did offer nutrition education programming for youth and nutritional engagement opportunities for the whole community. Community member and youth visits to the farm over the past few years has exposed individuals to healthy eating ideas. Similarly, cultural ceremonies related to food (i.e.: strawberry thanksgiving) have returned to the community after many years. This year, the team will hire a coordinator to develop intergenerational cooking classes using farm-grown produce and establish a strategy for broader nutritional outreach. Over the next year, the group will continue to work toward this goal by aligning efforts with the existing efforts of the MPTN.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
UConn Extension. Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation growing food with UConn Extension. 2019 Highlights of UConn Extension. 8 May 2020. http://cag.uconn.edu/ces/highlights/2019/index.html?page=6
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation youth, elders, council members and tribal members at large. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Education for tribal members: 4 tribal members (including the 2 youth) attendedthe 2019 CT Vegetable & Small Fruit Conference; Co-PI Joe Bonelli trained tribal youth on how to create and update afarm business plan; basics in vegetable production course was developed and taught at the tribal location by PI Shuresh Ghimire; A tribal youth (one of two youth employed by the grant) passed the ConnecticutPrivate Pesticide Applicator's License Exam. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the resource inventory and needs assessment were compiled and shared to a MPTN Council member who isactive in this overall project, as well as the tribal member who is in charge of the farming operation. The project progress report was presented to NIFA National Program Leaders in Washington DC on March 5th, 2019. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue the educational programs already underway, both in the classroom and in the field. We will work closely with the 2 youth hired and other tribal members who have been participating in this project. Some specific activities during the next reporting period are: Plant tomatoes and lettuce in the high tunnel, & sweet corn in the field Continue vegetable training Set up refrigeration for storing produce Update the business plan as needed Form an agriculture focus 4-H club Review the progress of the objectives or goals
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The relationship between the tribe and the University of Connecticut has strengthened as a result of activities of this project, resulting in increased participation of tribal members at the Extension programs offered by the University. This project continued to employ 2 youth for the Train-the-Trainer program for the commercial sustainablevegetable and farming operation, where they actively participated in the vegetable course taught from Nov 2018 to April 2019, farming activities, and training other youth in their community. This is an important impact of the project as the youth are the future for the tribe, and training them on modern sustainable agricultural practices taught by UConn Extension, while also learning the tribal agricultural traditions, taught by tribal elders is a key goal of this project. Accomplishments under Goal 1: Trained tribal youth produced heirloom tomatoes in the community garden and donated to the community (Fall 2018) Trained tribal youth have been training other youth in the community Completed vegetable production classroom training (Nov 2018- April 2019) Resource inventory was updated (Feb 2019) Increased capacity to grow crops (purchased equipment: disc harrow, rototiller, mulch layer; Spring 2019) 42% of the total needs identified under Goal 1 to accomplish in 4-year grant period were attained in the 1st year Accomplishments under Goal 2: Continued to employ and train 2 grant-paid tribal youth, plus 4 other members on vegetable growing Trained youth created a Facebook page to communicate with the community Tribal experts conducted a cultural class for youth and adults Pesticide applicator training for 1 employee (passed license examination, April 2019) Tribal youth participated in CT Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers' Conference (Jan 2019) The inaugural meeting for 4-H planning 40% of needs identified under Goal 2 to accomplish in 4-year grant period were attained in the 1st year Accomplishments under Goal 3: Working with UConn Extension, updated the farm business plan Identified vegetables and fruits to grow in 2019 and 2020 36% of needs identified under Goal 3 to accomplish in 4-year grant period were attained in the 1st year Accomplishments under Goal 4: Collaborating with tribal experts, conducted a medicinal plant workshop Increased awareness of cultural medicinal plants among youth and adults Identified hiking and walking trails Organized cultural events based on harvest Family Recipe Book under publication 29% of needs identified under Goal 4 to accomplish in 4-year grant period were attained in the 1st year
Publications
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Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation youth, elders, council members and tribal members at large. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Education for tribal members: Paid for tractor safety & maintenance, and safety & maintenance for small engines and power tools training classes for 2 tribal members working on the farm; Paid for 4 tribal members (including the 2 youth) to attend the CT Vegetable & Small Fruit Conference; Co-PI Joe Bonelli is conducting a farm business management class series with 5 tribal members, including the two youth, at the reservation. The MPTN was added as a training site for the UConn Beginning Farmer & Rancher Grant Program's Solid Ground educational trainings. A class on finance training was held in December with 13 adults in attendance. A seed starting class for vegetables for the farm was held with 14 tribal youth (including the 2 paid youth) and 5 adults. Worker Protection training was conducted by PI Concklin with the 2 youth in the train-the-trainer program as well as the farm manager. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the resource inventory and needs assessment were compiled and shared with a MPTN Council member who is active in this overall project, as well as the tribal member who is in charge of the farming operation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue the educational programs already underway, both in classroom and in the field. We will work closely with the 2 youth hired - one will be getting the CT Pesticide Applicator license and will be qualified to conduct Worker Protection training.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Hired 2 youth for the Train-the-Trainer program for the commercial sustainable fruit and vegetable farming operation. They began work in December 2017. This is the most important impact of the project to date. The youth are the future for the tribe, and training them to work the land using modern sustainable agricultural practices taught by UConn Extension, while also learning the tribal agricultural traditions, taught by tribal elders is a key goal of this project. * Education for tribal members: Paid for tractor safety & maintenance, and safety & maintenance for small engines and power tools training classes for 2 tribal members working on the farm; Paid for 4 tribal members (including the 2 youth) to attend the CT Vegetable & Small Fruit Conference; Co-PI Joe Bonelli is conducting a farm business management class series with 5 tribal members, including the 2 youth, at the reservation. * The MPTN was added as a training site for the UConn Beginning Farmer & Rancher Grant Program's Solid Ground educational trainings. A class on finance training was held in December with 13 adults in attendance. * PI Concklin is working with 4 tribal members, including the 2 youth, developing the planting plan for the 2018 season which includes identifying the crops to be grown, learning how and when to seed vegetable crops; pruning and planting of fruit crops. A seed starting class for vegetables for the farm was held with 14 tribal youth (including the 2 paid youth) and 5 adults. * Pam Gray, UConn 4-H program coordinator for New London County, is training 2 tribal members as 4-H leaders. The 4-H club will begin later in spring 2018. * Mike Puglisi, UConn Food and Nutrition program coordinator, will be working with the nutrition team at the MPTN to coordinate diabetes and exercise programs. *Co-PI M. Kelly, along with Concklin and Bonelli, conducted a resource inventory and needs assessment with 28 tribal elders, youth and members-at-large. This will help as we move forward with the goals of the grant program.
Publications
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