Progress 09/01/17 to 08/08/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Navajo people have a relationship with the land in terms of economics and spirituality. The people believe that their deities placed them in between the Four Sacred Mountains in the Four Corners regions. The land represents more than a physical, geographical place of residence; the land defines the people themselves and is at the focal point of Navajo culture, spirituality, and politics. With the introduction and development of newer agriculture practices and techniques, the Navajo people have proven themselves knowledgeable in working the land and raising domesticated animals. Many Navajo bands farmed for hundreds of years in the Four Corners region. After the acquisition of sheep, cattle and horses in the early 1600s, the Navajo people became skilled livestock producers. Today they produce crops ranging from peaches, alfalfa to potatoes, lambs and wool, angora goats, mohair, and commercial cattle. Agriculture is depended upon for food, transmission of important cultural values, and financial stability. Audiences include Navajo Livestock Producers, Tribal Ranchers Leases, Cattle Associations, Navajo Nation Farm Board Members, Navajo Nation Grazing Management Program Officials, Home & Community Gardeners, Tribal Leaders, Navajo Nation 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences Program Participants including: Youth and Adults, 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges (2) Private & Public Schools. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Navajo Nation hard and triggered 'Stay at Home Orders and Lock Downs across the reservation during much of this timeline review. Like the rest of the country, the Navajo Nation faced the challenges of maintaining health-oriented practices, social isolation, school closures, financial pressures and more. The Nation's government and services were reduced to marginal levels due to the shutdowns. The pandemic slowed many of the Cooperative Extension face-to-face programs that were planned for the year. Still, in the middle of this current challenge, the mission remained unchanged; we provided the needed services and relevant educational information to the Navajo people. Some of the programming was adopted to zoom meetings, conferences and webinar type programming in addition to live workshop and seminar presentations. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major problems on the Navajo Nation. Programming has to be re-evaluated and necessary changes made to effectively provide the needed services and relevant educational information to the Navajo people. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) is made up of eight counties within the Navajo Nation, Dine' College, Navajo Technical University (NTU) and three major Land Grant Institutions. Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) was established in efforts to maximize the use of resources available for the Navajo Extension Program. There is an opportunity for mentorship and appreciating differences in teaching and learning via Culture & Tradition. Therefore, learning takes place most effectively through hands-on involvement, implementing concepts in a community context. As a result, we have chosen the longer hands-on workshop and field experience format where the Extension Agent, cooperating partners, and local traditional bearers will be engaged together in the process of discovery and linkages, where the community will be interactive participants and the dialog will continue long after the agents have left. Extension education needs to be delivered in a bi-lingual oral format. The written organization of the Navajo language began less than 100 years ago. Most fluent Navajo speakers do not read Navajo, although many do read English.It is critical to deliver the information in both languages:oral Navajo for the conceptual, philosophical, relational information and written English to reinforce the technical procedures. Just translating the English words into Navajo is not effective. Often the information is so irrelevant that it reinforces people's dismissive attitudes about outside agencies. Presentations in the Navajo cultural, spiritual, and social context are the only reliable method for making Extension education relevant from within the community's worldview. It is critical to appreciate the difference in Indian country when it comes to program delivery within the world of extension. NEP provides effective program delivery and is recognized as an innovative partnership that is multi-state, multi-county Extension Programming with Inter-governmental relationships. The FRTEP program provides two FRTEP professional development opportunities for the FRTEP agent - the FRTEP day at the Annual Intertribal Ag Council meetings in December and the FRTEP Professional Development meetings in September/October. In addition, there are two Southwest Indian Agricultural Association conferences (January and June) and an Indian Livestock School by NMSU (May) that provides opportunities to discuss issues, solutions and sharing of experiences with peers and agricultural professionals. In May 2022 agent attended The Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk (CYFAR) Professional Development Training in Chicago. They offered topics and sessions that included Youth Development; Youth Program Development; Volunteerism; Access, Equity, and Opportunity; Partnerships; and Organizational Systems. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?It is very important to us that we interact with our Navajo community living in the surrounding region. The Navajo Nation covers a vast area, well over 25 thousand square miles and we utilize all forms of media including, newsletters, email, social media techniques, print, zoom video conferencing events, face-to-face meetings/workshops and personal one-on-one communications. *Monthly publication of the Navajo Nation Quarterly Extension Newsletter to inform Navajo constituents about Agriculture, Natural Resources, Youth Development and Community news. There are many organizations, educational and government bodies that influence the lives of the Navajo people. The newsletter will allow those Ag related organizations to communicate with one another and provide information and updates to the Dine' people. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?* Continue to conduct pertinent workshops, clinics, seminars and trainings for the Navajo people. These will include: Organize Livestock workshops; organize a several-day horse clinic; Coordinate Livestock handling workshops; Continue with Livestock Record Keeping workshops, Beef Quality Assurance, horse shoe trainings and other livestock related educational programs; Continue to work with people with interest in gardening efforts; Continue to work with 4-H Youth Development programs to expand the program; Continue with Community Development programs and training; Assist all Navajo Extension Agents with their events when necessary. Provide agriculture related presentations as requested. * Continue with Community Development extension programs listed and develop new ones as needed: Early Childhood Literacy (CYFAR Project); Financial Planning and Literacy; Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). * Continue the sound and formidable relationships developed regarding the Navajo issues the Nation faces. Continue furthering efforts meeting with clientele, maintain contacts and communications with the necessary individuals and organizations to leverage resources, and ensure relevant partners are included to continue project development, program sustainability and maintain collaborations with other organizations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cultural considerations affect outcome measurability. Traditional Navajo values are supported during all outreach activities, with "Train the Trainer" opportunities provided when applicable to build capacity within communities. Regional partnerships improve stakeholders' access to resources that support skill development. Although the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down many of our activities during this evaluation period, we still were able to adapt some of our programs to Zoom meetings, conference calls and virtual trainings. Priority 1 - 4H/Youth Development: * Continue to educate and certify new/returning 4H leaders every year to provide opportunity for all 4H youth to have a positive learning experience in their club/project on the Navajo Nation. * 4-H youth camps with team building ropes courses, Jr. Horse show series, archery series, skill-a-thons, statewide Coder Z programs, traditional food workshops, indoor project areas, large and small animals curriculum development. We hope to reach approximately 1,200 youth and adults in upcoming years. Priority 2- Navajo Farmer and Rancher Productivity and Management Programs in partnership withNavajo Technical University and Dine' College Agents: A. New Mexico & Arizona Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Programto be eligible to lease a Tribal bull, one must take this BQA session along with Livestock Record Keeping Workshops. BQA also reflects a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. When Navajo producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they assure their market steers, heifers, cows, and bulls are the best they can be. The certification is valuable and enhances market value during the sale.Approximately 40-60 people per year are involved with the BQA certification and testing. About 90% pass with a passing grade. Improvements in Navajo cattle operations includes proper injection sites, vaccine care, marketing and good record keeping practices. BQA trainings is instrumental and vital for the Navajo Beef industry. B.Livestock RecordKeeping: A component of the BQA program and survey results of livestock producers indicate these session(s) are excellent and worthy. The price of cattle remains unstable and livestock producers are continuing to make better business decisions according to their records and improving bull selection through record keeping of past bulls they received through the Tribal Ranch Bull leasing program. C. Herd Health Workshops & Training We must continue coordinating full day face-to-face Livestock Management Workshops' over the next several years. Priority 3- Navajo Garden ProgramsAs the COVID pandemic lessens the agent will plan and provide a horticulture program as it was before the contagion. Six or so gardening resource volunteers are continuing to communicate via social networks with their communities. They are involved with various types of horticultural educational programming and do much of their work as Zoom instructors and are considered experts in home gardening. The Demonstration Garden at the extension office has been rejuvenated this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority 4- Community & Youth Development, Foundational Education & Training* Early Childhood Literacy (CYFAR Project): Sustainable Youth Literacy Projects in Houck, Sanders, Pine Springs and Wide Ruins on the Navajo Reservation to Promote Early Language and Literacy Development in Four Navajo Communities.Zoom meetings with participating UA Staff were held every Tuesday from 2020-2022. Multiple 'Quick-Tips' Podcasts have been developed and more are scheduled to be produced for our UA Cooperative Extension Websites. The literacy program has been named: Baby College 101: Courses for Atchíní Yázhí. * Financial Planning and Literacy: Literacy course designed to to help Navajo people reduce financial stress, increase savings, improve their credit, and take control of their money. In addition, to manage and create Budgets, Personal Spending Plans, Plan for Emergencies, Understand the Costs of Borrowing, and Understand Credit Reports. Most importantly to help curb the horrifying degree of predatory lending that occurs in border towns around the Navajo Reservation. We have collaborated with the Navajo Housing Authority to train their tenants by community and to date we've trained over 270 participants. * Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP): This prevention initiative is to address the growing and widespread problem of type-2 diabetes among the Navajo people andencourage lifestyle changes. Five 1½-hour Zoom sessions were completed in August 2021. We trained 30 participants and expect to conduct more trainings in Fall 2022.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Navajo people have a relationship with the land in terms of economics and spirituality. The people believe that their deities placed them in between the Four Sacred Mountains in the Four Corners regions. The land represents more than a physical, geographical place of residence; the land defines the people themselves and is at the focal point of Navajo culture, spirituality, and politics. With the introduction and development of newer agriculture practices and techniques, the Navajo people have proven themselves knowledgeable in working the land and raising domesticated animals. Many Navajo bands farmed for hundreds of years in the Four Corners region. After the acquisition of sheep, cattle and horses in the early 1600s, the Navajo people became skilled livestock producers. Today they produce crops ranging from peaches, alfalfa to potatoes, lambs and wool, angora goats, mohair, and commercial cattle. Agriculture is depended upon for food, transmission of important cultural values, and financial stability. Audiences include Navajo Livestock Producers, Tribal Ranchers Leases, Cattle Associations, Navajo Nation Farm Board Members, Navajo Nation Grazing Management Program Officials, Home & Community Gardeners, Tribal Leaders, Navajo Nation 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences Program Participants including: Youth and Adults, 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges (2) Private & Public Schools. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Navajo Nation hard and triggered 'Stay at Home Orders and Lock Downs across the reservation during this entire timeline review. Like the rest of the country, the Navajo Nation faced the challenges of maintaining health-oriented practices, social isolation, school closures, financial pressures and more. The Nation was at a grinding halt by Tribal Council and Presidential Executive orders locking down the reservation from 8pm to 5 am every day in addition to 57-hour weekend (Fri-Mon) lockdown orders up to March 2021. As of July 25, 2021, there have been over 31,300 positive cases of COVID-19 and over 1400 deaths on the Navajo Nation. The pandemic ended many of the Cooperative Extension face-to-face programs that were planned for the year. Still, in the middle of this current challenge, the mission remained unchanged; we're providing the needed services and relevant educational information to the Navajo people. Much of the programming was adopted to zoom meetings, conferences and webinar type programming. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major problems on the Navajo Nation. Programming has to be re-evaluated and necessary changes made to effectively provide the needed services and relevant educational information to the Navajo people. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) is made up of eight counties within the Navajo Nation, Dine' College, Navajo Technical University (NTU) and the three Land Grant Institutions. Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) was established in efforts to maximize the use of resources available for the Navajo Extension Program. There is an opportunity for mentorship and appreciating differences in teaching and learning via Culture & Tradition. Therefore, learning takes place most effectively through hands-on involvement, implementing concepts in a community context. As a result, we have chosen the longer hands-on workshop and field experience format where the Extension Agent, cooperating partners, and local traditional bearers will be engaged together in the process of discovery and linkages, where the community will be interactive participants and the dialog will continue long after the agents have left. Extension education needs to be delivered in a bi-lingual oral format. The written organization of the Navajo language began less than 100 years ago. Most fluent Navajo speakers do not read Navajo, although many do read English.It is critical to deliver the information in both languages:oral Navajo for the conceptual, philosophical, relational information and written English to reinforce the technical procedures. Just translating the English words into Navajo is not effective. Often the information is so irrelevant that it reinforces people's dismissive attitudes about outside agencies. Presentations in the Navajo cultural, spiritual, and social context are the only reliable method for making Extension education relevant from within the community's worldview. It is critical to appreciate the difference in Indian country when it comes to program delivery within the world of extension. NEP provides effective program delivery and is recognized as an innovative partnership that is multi-state, multi-county Extension Programming with Inter-governmental relationships. The FRTEP program provides two FRTEP professional development opportunities for the FRTEP agent - the FRTEP day at the Annual Intertribal Ag Council meeting in December and the FRTEP Professional Development meeting in September/October. In addition, there are two Southwest Indian Agricultural Association conferences (January and June) and an Indian Livestock School by NMSU (May) that provides opportunities to discuss issues, solutions and sharing of experiences with peers and agricultural professionals. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?It is very important to us that we interact with our Navajo community living in the surrounding region. The Navajo Nation covers a vast area, well over 25 thousand square miles and we utilize all forms of media including, newsletters, email, social media techniques, print, zoom video conferencing events, face-to-face meetings/workshops and personal one-on-one communications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?* Continue to conduct pertinent workshops, clinics, seminars and trainings for the Navajo people. These will include: Organize Livestock workshops; organize a several-day horse clinic; Coordinate Livestock handling workshops; Continue with Livestock Record Keeping workshops, Beef Quality Assurance and other livestock related educational programs; Continue to work with people with interest in gardeningefforts; Continue to work with 4-H Youth Development programs to expand the program; Continue with Community Development programs and training; Assist all Navajo Extension Agents with their events when necessary. Provide agriculture related presentations as requested. * Continue with Community Development extension programs listed and develop new ones as needed: Early Childhood Literacy (CYFAR Project); Financial Planning and Literacy; Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). * Continue the sound and formidable relationships developed regarding the Navajo issues the Nation faces. Continue furthering efforts meeting with clientele, maintain contacts and communications with the necessary individuals and organizations to leverage resources, and ensure relevant partners are included to continue project development, program sustainability and maintain collaborations with other organizations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cultural considerations affect outcome measurability. Traditional Navajo values are supported during all outreach activities, with "Train the Trainer" opportunities provided when applicable to build capacity within communities. Regional partnerships improve stakeholders' access to resources that support skill development. Although the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down many of our activities during this evaluation period, we still were able to adapt some of our programs to Zoom meetings, conference calls and virtual trainings. Priority 1- 4H/Youth Development - Kristy Kinlicheenie * Continue to educate and certify new/returning 4H leaders in 2021 to provide opportunity for all 4H youth to have a positive learning experience in their club/project on the Navajo Nation using a virtual Zoom platform. Also, continue to inform the volunteers so they know of their own resources available to them. Hope to see an increase in 2021 4-H participation in various 4H leadership sessions and 4-H events. * 4-H coordinators will continue to be a part of youth camps that range from team building ropes course activities, Jr. Horse show series, archery series, conferences, skill-a-thons, partnering with Office of Youth Development programs, state wide Coder Z programs, traditional food workshops, and indoor project areas as well as large and small animals curriculum development. We hope to reach approximately 900 youth and adults in the upcoming year. * Our Extension Program continued 4-H Committee Meetings to update the 4-H clientele about pandemic activities and to coordinate both the 2020 & 2021 Navajo Nation Fair Jr. Livestock Show and Sale. Priority 2- Navajo Farmer and Rancher Productivity and Management - Nathan NotahThe agent continues in partnership withNavajo Technical University and Dine' College Agents, NMSU Extension Program, to conduct manysessions on: A. New Mexico & Arizona Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification ProgramTo be eligible to lease a Tribal bull, one must take this BQA session along with Livestock Record Keeping Workshops. BQA also reflects a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. When Navajo producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they assure their market steers, heifers, cows, and bulls are the best they can be. The certification is valuable and enhances market value during the sale.Approximately 50 people were involved with the BQA certification and testing. 42 people passed the optional BQA certification exam with a ninety-five percent passing grade. Improvements in Navajo cattle operations includes proper injection sites, vaccine care, marketing and good record keeping practices. BQA trainings is instrumental and vital for the Navajo Beef industry. B.Livestock RecordKeepingThe Livestock Record Keeping Program, a component of BQA remains a very important practice to our Livestock Producers. With the knowledge gained, verbal comments and roundtable discussions livestock producers indicate these session(s) to be excellent and worthy. The price of cattle remains unstable and livestock producers are continuing to make better business decisions according to their records and improving bull selection through record keeping of past bulls they received through the Tribal Ranch Bull leasing program. The Agent with 50+ participants presented one 'Livestock Record Keeping' and one 'Culling During Drought' presentations. C. Herd Health Workshops & Training -Weare coordinating threefull day 'Beginning Farmers/Ranchers Workshops' in the next several months. These will be live face-to-face programs that were cancelled last year due to the pandemic. * These workshops are in collaboration with UA Livestock specialists, a Navajo Tribal Land Grant College, the BIA, Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, USDA and the Arizona Cattle Growers Association. Priority 3- Navajo Garden ProgramsAs the COVID pandemic lessens the agent will plan and provide a horticulture program as it was before the contagion. Four gardening resource volunteers are continuing to communicate via social networks with their communities. They are involved with various types of horticultural educational programming and do much of their work as Zoom instructors and are considered experts in home gardening. The Demonstration Garden at the extension office has been neglected this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of access to the gardens and is not in full production. Priority 4- Community & Youth Development, Foundational Education & Training -The Window Rock Extension program is working with the Navajo community to become a better place to live, work, and play. We are working on developing Cooperative Extension projects to address several contemporary community issues. *Early Childhood Literacy (CYFAR Project): Sustainable Youth Literacy Projects in Houck, Sanders, Pine Springs and Wide Ruins on the Navajo Reservation to Promote Early Language and Literacy Development in Four Navajo Communities.Zoom meetings with participating UA Staff were held every Tuesday in 2020-2021. A Community Literacy Specialist was hired part-time in January 2021 to coordinate the program. Multiple 'Quick-Tips'Podcasts have been developed and more are scheduled to be produced for our UA Cooperative Extension Websites. The literacy program has been named:Baby College 101: Courses for A?chíní Yázhí. *Financial Planning and Literacy: Working with Extension Specialists this course on the reservation is designed to help Navajo people reduce financial stress, increase savings, improve their credit, and take control of their money. In addition, to manage and create Budgets, Personal Spending Plans, Plan for Emergencies, Understand the Costs of Borrowing, and Understand Credit Reports. Most importantly to help curb the horrifying degree of predatory lending that occurs in border towns around the Navajo Reservation. It will continue once the Pandemic subsides. * Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP): This prevention initiative is to address the growing and widespread problem of type-2 diabetes among the Navajo people. It is designed by Extension Specialists to encourage lifestyle changes, which is known to reduce the risk of diabetes problems. Five 1½-hour Zoom presentations are scheduled for August 2021. * The Agent published four Navajo Nation Quarterly Extension Newsletters and plans to continue publishing them to inform Navajo constituents about Agriculture, Natural Resources, Youth Development and Community news. There are many organizations, educational and government bodies that influence the lives of the Navajo people. The newsletter will allow those Ag related organizations to communicate with one another and provide information and updates to the Dine' people.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Navajo people have a relationship with the land in terms of economics and spirituality. The people believe that their deities placed them in between the Four Sacred Mountains in the Four Corners regions. The land represents more than a physical, geographical place of residence; the land defines the people themselves and is at the focal point of Navajo culture, spirituality, and politics. With the introduction and development of newer agriculture practices and techniques, the Navajo people have proven themselves knowledgeable in working the land and raising domesticated animals. Many Navajo bands farmed for hundreds of years in the Four Corners region. After the acquisition of sheep, cattle and horses in the early 1600s, the Navajo people became skilled livestock producers. Today they produce crops ranging from peaches to alfalfa to potatoes, lambs and wool, angora goats, mohair, and commercial cattle. Agriculture is depended upon for food, transmission of important cultural values, and financial stability. Audiences include Navajo Livestock Producers, Tribal Ranchers Leases, Cattle Associations, Navajo Nation Farm Board Members, Navajo Nation Grazing Management Program Officials, Home & Community Gardeners, Tribal Leaders, Navajo Nation 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences Program Participants including: Youth and Adults, 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges (2) Private & Public Schools. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the Navajo Nation hard and triggered multiple 'Stay at Home Orders and Lock Downs across the reservation. Like the rest of the country, the Navajo Nation faces the challenges of maintaining health-oriented practices, social isolation, school closures, financial pressures and more. From March through July, the Nation has had over twelve Tribal Council and Presidential Executive orders to lock down the reservation from 8pm to 5 am every day in addition to 57-hour weekend (Fri-Mon) lockdown orders from April through the end of July. As of July 20, 2020; there have been over 8,600 positive cases of COVID-19 and over 425 deaths on the Navajo Nation. This has ended many of the Cooperative Extension face-to-face programs that were planned for spring into late summer. Still, in the middle of this current challenge the mission remains unchanged to provide the needed services and relevant educational information to the Navajo people. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major problems on the Navajo Nation. Programming has to be re-evaluated and necessary changes made to effectively provide the needed services and relevant educational information to the Navajo people. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?* Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) is made up of eight counties within the Navajo Nation, Dine' College, Navajo Technical University (NTU) and the three Land Grant Institutions. Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) was established in efforts to maximize the use of resources available for the Navajo Extension Program. There is an opportunity for mentorship and appreciating differences in teaching and learning via Culture & Tradition. Therefore, learning takes place most effectively through hands-on involvement, implementing concepts in a community context. As a result, we have chosen the longer hands-on workshop and field experience format where the Extension Agent, cooperating partners, and local traditional bearers will be engaged together in the process of discovery and linkages, where the community will be interactive participants and the dialog will continue long after the agents have left. Extension education needs to be delivered in a bi-lingual oral format. The written organization of the Navajo language began less than 100 years ago. Most fluent Navajo speakers do not read Navajo, although many do read English. It is critical to deliver the information in both languages: oral Navajo for the conceptual, philosophical, relational information and written English to reinforce the technical procedures. Just translating the English words into Navajo is not effective. Often the information is so irrelevant that it reinforces people's dismissive attitudes about outside agencies. Presentations in the Navajo cultural, spiritual, and social context are the only reliable method for making Extension education relevant from within the community's worldview. It is critical to appreciate the difference in Indian country when it comes to program delivery within the world of extension. NEP provides effective program delivery and is recognized as an innovative partnership that is multi-state, multi-county Extension Programming with Inter-governmental relationships. * The FRTEP program provides two FRTEP professional development opportunities for the FRTEP agent - the FRTEP day at the Annual Intertribal Ag Council meeting in December and the FRTEP Professional Development meeting in September/October. In addition, there are two Southwest Indian Agricultural Association conferences (January and June) that provides opportunities to discuss issues, solutions and sharing of experiences with peers and agricultural professionals. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?It is very important to us that we interact with our Navajo community living in the surrounding region. The Navajo Nation covers a vast area, well over 25 thousand square miles and we utilize all forms of media including, newsletters, email, social media techniques, print, zoom video conferencing events, face-to-face meetings/workshops and personal one-on-one communications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?* Continue to conduct pertinent workshops, clinics, seminars and trainings for the Navajo people. These will include: Organize Livestock workshops; organize a several-day horse clinic; Coordinate Livestock handling workshops; Continue with Livestock Record Keeping workshops, Beef Quality Assurance and other livestock related educational programs; Continue to work with people with interest in gardening efforts; Continue to work with 4-H Youth Development programs to expand the program; Continue with Community Development programs and training; Assist all Navajo Extension Agents with their events when necessary. Provide agriculture related presentations as requested. * Continue with Community Development extension programs listed and develop new ones as needed: Early Childhood Literacy (CYFAR Project); Financial Planning and Literacy; Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). * Continue the sound and formidable relationships developed regarding the Navajo issues the Nation faces. *Continue furthering efforts meeting with clientele, maintain contacts and communications with the necessary individuals and organizations to leverage resources, and ensure relevant partners are included to continue project development, program sustainability and maintain collaborations with other organizations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Priority 1 - 4H/Youth Development - Kristy Kinlicheenie * Finished out awarded ESIP Grant from University of Arizona to promote the 4-H program across the reservation. Collaborated with Dine' College Land Grant Office with a co-grant within budget limitations. Dates: March 2019- Jan 2020. * Educated and certified new/returning 4H leaders in 2019-2020 to provide opportunity for all 4H youth have a positive learning experience in their club/project on the Navajo Nation using a virtual Zoom platform. Also allowing the volunteers to know of their own resources available to them. Dates: 4/15/2020, Participants 4 * We have seen an increase in 4-H participation in various 4H leadership sessions and 4-H events. With the assistance of the county agent Mike Hauser and Apache county office, the Navajo Nation 4-H program has seen an increase in certified leadership enrollment to meet new UA DCC volunteer requirements. March 2019- March 2020. Participants 14 * 4-H coordinator has hosted or been a part of 21 youth camps that range from team building ropes course activities, Jr. Horse show series, archery series, conferences, skillathons, partnering with Office of Youth Development programs, state wide Coder Z programs, traditional food workshops, and indoor project areas as well as large and small animals curriculum development. Reached approximately 900 youth and adults. * Hosted first ever Jr. Horse Show series in five different locations as well as first ever 4-H Archery series that had three events. * 4-H Committee Meetings- 7/17/19 Participants 20, 8/21/19 Participants 20, 9/18/19 Participants 20, 10/16/19 Participants 20, 11/20/10 Participants 20, 12/18/19 Participants 20, 1/10/20 Participants 33, 2/25/20 Participants 20, 3/4/20 Participants 20, 5/20/20 Participants 20, 6/10/20 Participants 20, 6/24/20 Participants 22, 7/8/20 Participants 10. Priority 2- Navajo Farmer and Rancher Productivity and Management - Nathan NotahThe agent continues in partnership withNavajo Technical University and Dine' College Agents, NMSU Extension Program, to conduct manysessions on: A. New Mexico & Arizona Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Program. To be eligible to lease a Tribal bull, one must take this BQA session along with Livestock Record Keeping Workshops. BQA also reflects a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. When Navajo producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they assure their market steers, heifers, cows, and bulls are the best they can be. The certification is valuable and enhances market value during the sale.Approximately 60 people were involved with the BQA certification and testing. 48 people passed the optional BQA certification exam with a ninety-five percent passing grade. Improvements in Navajo cattle operations includes proper injection sites, vaccine care, marketing and good record keeping practices. Being persistence, BQA trainings are instrumental and vital for the Navajo Beef industry. B.Livestock RecordKeeping. The Livestock Record Keeping Program, a component of BQA remains a very important practice to our Livestock Producers. With the knowledge gained, verbal comments and roundtable discussions livestock producers indicate these session(s) to be excellent and worthy. The price of cattle remains around average, livestock producers are making better business decisions according to their records and improving bull selection through record keeping of past bulls they received through the Tribal Ranch Bull leasing program. Four Livestock Record keeping presentations were held with 104 participants. C. Herd Health Workshops & TrainingA full day 'Beginning Farmers/Ranchers Workshop' was held in Tsaile, AZ October 22, 2019 with 48 participants.Workshops were also held in Tuba City, AZ and on the Hopi reservation, with collaboration from UA Livestock specialists, two Navajo Tribal Land Grant Colleges, the BIA, Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, USDA and the Arizona Cattle Growers Association. Priority 3- Navajo Garden ProgramsThe agent planned and provided a horticulture program speaker for the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture's Ag Expo in July 02, 2019 at Window Rock, AZ. Approximately 25 Participants. Due to the CORONA-19 Pandemic, only two topics/sessions were covered in this project in February & March, 2020. The intent was to have 10 sessions at each of the four areas on the reservation.At the first two "It's All About Gardening" sessions, there were 15 students that enhanced their knowledge, critical thinking and skills in horticulture and related issues through classroom participation. Four resource volunteers are still communicating via social networking with their communities and are involved with some type of horticulture educational information. They perform as instructors and are considered experts in home gardening. 90% of Gardener's attending the two workshop sessions indicated they got useful information from attending and that the knowledge gained was from actual photos of various gardens from around the Navajo Nation. The Demonstration Garden at the extension office has been neglected this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is not in full production. Priority 4- Community & Youth Development, Foundational Education & Training -The Window Rock agent is in the development phase in helping people create a vision across traditional environmental, sociological, and economical boundaries. He looks to help the Navajo community become a better place to live, work, and play. He is working on developing Cooperative Extension projects to address several contemporary community issues. Utilizing UAExtension Specialists coordinated trainings for a new program developed by the Navajo Nation Dept of Agriccalled the Navajo Agriculture Conservation Corps (ACC). Theprogram hired 15 individuals to help Navajo permitteesdevelopconservation practices that include: Fencing, Invasive Tree/Shrub Removal (Chainsaw/Pesticide), Farm Mulching, Farm Drip Irrigation, Reseeding on Controlled Areas, and Soil Erosion & Stream Restoration (Meandering). *Early Childhood Literacy (CYFAR Project): Sustainable Youth Literacy Projects in Houck, Sanders, Pine Springs and Wide Ruins on the Navajo Reservation to Promote Early Language and Literacy Development in Four Navajo Communities. Zoom meetings were held with participating UA Staff every Tuesday in 2019-2020; held monthly Zoom meetingswith the Navajo Literacy Advisory Boardfrom Nov 2019 - June 2020,12 participants each. * Financial Planning and Literacy: Working with Extension Specialists this course on the reservation is designed to help Navajo people reduce financial stress, increase savings, improve their credit, and take control of their money. In addition, to manage and create Budgets, Personal Spending Plans, Plan for Emergencies, Understand the Costs of Borrowing, and Understand Credit Reports. Most importantly to help curb the horrifying degree of predatory lending that occurs in border towns around the Navajo Reservation.It will continue once the Pandemic subsides. * Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP): This prevention initiative is to address the growing and widespread problem of type-2 diabetes among the Navajo people. It is designed by Extension Specialists to encourage lifestyle changes, which is known to reduce the risk of diabetes problems. It will continue once the Pandemic subsides. * The Agent published the first Navajo Nation Extension Newsletter. He plans to continue publishing quarterly to inform Navajo constituents about Agriculture, Natural Resources, Youth Development and Community news. There are many organizations, educational and government bodies that influence the lives of the Navajo people. The newsletter will allow those Ag related organizations to communicate with one another and provide information and updates to the Dine' people.
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Navajo people have a relationship with the land in terms of economics and spirituality. The people believe that their deities placed them in between the Four Sacred Mountains in the Four Corners regions. The land represents more than a physical, geographical place of residence; the land defines the people themselves and is at the focal point of Navajo culture, spirituality, and politics. With the introduction and development of newer agriculture practices and techniques, the Navajo people have proven themselves knowledgeable in working the land and raising domesticated animals. Many Navajo bands farmed for hundreds of years in the Four Corners region. After the acquisition of sheep, cattle and horses in the early 1600s, the Navajo people became skilled livestock producers. Today they produce crops ranging from peaches to alfalfa to potatoes, lambs and wool, angora goats and mohair, and feeder calves. Agriculture is depended upon for food, transmission of important cultural values, and financial stability. Audiences include Navajo Livestock Producers, Tribal Ranchers Leases, Cattle Associations, Navajo Nation Farm Board Members, Navajo Nation Grazing Management Program Officials, Home & Community Gardeners, Navajo Nation 4-H Program-Youth and Adults, 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges (2) Private & Public Schools. Changes/Problems:The 33-year Window Rock extension agent retired on December 31, 2018. This position was vacant from January - May 2019 while a search was conducted for his replacement. A new agent started on June 3, 2019 and is making connections, attending community meetings and networking to understand and address the needs of the community. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The FRTEP program provides two FRTEP professional development opportunities for the FRTEP agent - the joint Annual Intertribal Ag Council/FRTEP meeting in December each year and the FRTEP Professional Development meeting in September/October. In addition, there are two Southwest Indian Agricultural Association conferences (January and June) that provides opportunities to discuss issues, solutions and sharing of experiences with peers and agricultural professionals. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Continue to work with people with interest in gardening in efforts to improve their health and to be self-sufficient. Continue to improve the demonstration garden. Find additional funds to support gardening efforts. Agent will also continue to assist Kristy Kinlicheenie, 4-H Program Coordinator to establish and expand a quality 4-H Program for the Navajo Nation. Continue with Livestock Record Keeping workshops, Beef Quality Assurance and Equine-related educational programs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?A new Navajo Nation-Window Rock Extension Agent, Nathan Notah was hired on June 03rd, 2019. The Window Rock position was vacant from January 01st to May 31st, 2019. The new Agent, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation spent the summer acclimating himself with the massive amount of required extension programming, expectations and working on new and previously planned activities. To further his efforts Nathan is meeting with clientele, establishing contacts and communications with the necessary individuals and organizations to leverage resources, ensure relevant partners are included and provide a smooth transition to continue project development, program sustainability and maintain collaborations with other organizations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cultural considerations affect outcome measurability. Traditional Navajo values are supported during all outreach activities, with "Train the Trainer" opportunities provided when applicable to build capacity within communities. Regional partnerships improve stakeholders' access to resources that support skill development. 4H/Youth Development (Priority 1) Award ESIP Grant from University of Arizona to promote the 4-H program across the reservation. Collaborated with Dine' College Land Grant Office with a co-grant. Educated and certified new/returning 4H leaders in 2018-2019 to provide opportunity for all 4H youth have a positive learning experience in their club/project on the Navajo Nation. Also allowing the volunteers to know of their own resources available to them. We have seen an increase in 4-H participation in various 4H leadership sessions and 4-H Project Day. With the assistance of the county agent Mike Hauser, partnership from Dine' College, and Alexendra Carlisle, the Navajo Nation 4-H program has seen an increase in certified leadership enrollment. It's been a challenge and a struggle but it's happening. 4-H coordinator has hosted 10 youth camps that range from indoor project areas to large animal showmanship clinics. Reached approximately 200 youth and adults. Started the first ever 4-H Committee composed of 4-H club leaders, parents, and 4-H youth. Hosted first ever Youth Quality Assurance Certification training in Window Rock, AZ with 20 youth obtaining their certification. Reconstructed 4-H buildings for safer use for 4-H participants. Navajo Farmer and Rancher Productivity and Management (Priority 2) The agent continues in partnership withNavajo Technical University and DINE College Agents and NMSU Extension Agent to conduct manysessions on: A. New Mexico & Arizona Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Program BQA workshops Co-hosted by the Window Rock 4h Program Coordinator and the Navajo Nation Shiprock Agency agent on the Navajo Nation in both NM and AZ. Three BQA sessions were held. Two were at the annual Division of Natural Resources Summit, where approximately 30 adults were certified. Evaluation from the overall BQA program indicated a 90-95% improved beef quality practices from knowledge gained through video teachings and chute-side demonstration. Improvements includes proper injections sites, vaccine care, marketing and good record keepings. Being persistence, BQA trainings is instrumental for the Navajo Beef Project. B. Livestock RecordKeeping The Livestock Record Keeping Program, a component of BQA remains very important to our Livestock Producers. With the knowledge gained. Verbal comments and roundtable discussions, livestock producers indicate these session(s) to be excellent and worthy. C. Herd Health Workshops & Training The annual Navajo Nation Equine Expo was held in Window Rock Arizona for two days. As a result of this annual Equine Expo event, many other horse workshops were held in different areas on the Navajo Nation. It is most rewarding to see and listen to native horse people about their own experience with their own horse(s) and what they learned throughout the years of attending this particular expo or in other areas. Navajo Garden Programs, Community Development (Priority 3) The Window Rock office was awarded an Extension Strategic Investment Program grant from University of Arizona for 2018-2019. This grant was to provide resource materials for Navajo Ranchers, Farmers and others in the area of Rangeland and farmland ecology, productivity and plant identification. Were able to print 400 copies of the AZ Range Grasses: Their Description, Forage Value, and Grazing Management publication for distribution. In addition, this grant also provide the funds to print of 450 copies of the "Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands" that is specific to the Navajo Nation and has text in both English and Navajo languages.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Navajo people have a relationship with the land in terms of economics and spirituality. The people believe that their deities placed them in between the Four Sacred Mountains in the Four Corners regions. The land represents more than a physical, geographical place of residence; the land defines the people themselves and is at the focal point of Navajo culture, spirituality, and politics. With the introduction and development of newer agriculture practices and techniques, the Navajo people have proven themselves knowledgeable in working the land and raising domesticated animals. Many Navajo bands farmed for hundreds of years in the Four Corners region. After the acquisition of sheep, cattle and horses in the early 1600s, the Navajo people became skilled livestock producers. Today they produce crops ranging from peaches to alfalfa to potatoes, lambs and wool, angora goats and mohair, and feeder calves. Agriculture is depended upon for food, transmission of important cultural values, and financial stability. Audiences include Navajo Livestock Producers, Tribal Ranchers Leases, Cattle Associations, Navajo Nation Farm Board Members, Navajo Nation Grazing Management Program Officials, Home & Community Gardeners, Navajo Nation 4-H Program-Youth and Adults, 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges (2) Private & Public Schools. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) is made up of seven counties within the Navajo Nation, Dine' College, Navajo Technical University (NTU) and the three Land Grant Institutions. Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) was established in efforts to maximize the use of resources available for the Tri-state Extension Program. The opportunity for mentorship and appreciate difference in teaching and learning via Culture & Tradition. Therefore, learning takes place most effectively through hands-on involvement, implementing concepts in a community context. As a result, we have chosen the longer hands-on workshop and field experience format where the Extension Agent, cooperating partners, and local tradition bearers will be engaged together in the process of discovery and linkages, where the community will be interactive participants and the dialog will continue long after the agents have left. Extension education needs to be delivered in a bi-lingual oral format. The written organization of the Navajo language began less than 100 years ago. Most fluent Navajo speakers do not read Navajo, although many do read English. It is critical to deliver the information in both languages: oral Navajo for the conceptual, philosophical, relational information and written English to reinforce the technical procedures. Just translating the English words into Navajo is not effective. Often the information is so irrelevant that it reinforces people's dismissive attitudes about outside agencies. Presentations in the Navajo cultural, spiritual, and social context are the only reliable method for making Extension education relevant from within the community's world view. It is critical to appreciate the difference in Indian country when it comes to program delivery within the world of extension. NEP provides effective program delivery and is recognized as an innovative partnership that is multi-state, multi-county Extension Programming with Inter-governmental relationships. The FRTEP program provides two FRTEP professional development opportunities for the FRTEP agent - the FRTEP day at the Annual Intertribal Ag Council meeting in December and the FRTEP Professional Development meeting in August/September. In addition, there are two Southwest Indian Agricultural Association conferences (January and June) that provide opportunities to discuss issues, solutions and sharing of experiences with peers and agricultural professionals. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Continue to work with people with interest in gardening in efforts to improve their health and to be self-sufficient. Continue to improve the demonstration garden. Find additional funds to support gardening efforts. Agent will also continue to assist the new 4H Program Coordinator to establish a quality 4H Program for the Navajo Nation. Continue with Livestock Record Keeping workshops, Beef Quality Assurance and Equine-related educational programs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Increase delivery of services and optimum use of resources as a result of NEP involvement with other Land Grant Institutions, Inter-Tribal and Governmental agencies. Provide more effective distribution of expertise needed by the communities to solve their problems and obtain needed technologies. On-going assessment of the effectiveness of training workshops and project activities based on participant evaluation questionnaires, with adjustments to subsequent presentations made accordingly. Regular reports by the Extension Agent and participating partners on collaborative activities, level of community participation, and success in reaching project milestones. Evaluations by outside trainers on the effectiveness of the workshops and field work in educating the participants and providing them with relevant information that they can apply to improve management and production practices. Periodic review of progress and daily decision-making from the baseline of advancing the Project's goals and objectives and addressing targets in each of the NIFA program areas. Involvement of community-based collaborators, local assumption of leadership roles, participation of tradition bearers, and increased volunteerism for problem-solving. Youth and student participation in all program areas. The effectiveness of a Navajo-specific Extension Philosophy that can be applied to address each of the five NIFA program areas in a culturally-relevant and effective manner. Long-range assessment of dialog and behavior changes among the Navajo farmers, ranchers, and communities that lead to measurable improvements in the program areas.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cultural considerations affect outcome measurability. Traditional Navajo values are supported during all outreach activities, with "Train the Trainer" opportunities provided when applicable to build capacity within communities. Regional partnerships improve stakeholders' access to resources that support skill development. 4H/Youth Development (Priority 1) Continued to coordinate to train and certify 4H leaders in 2017 to provide opportunity for all 4H youth have a positive learning experience in their club/project on the Navajo Nation. We have a 4H Program Coordinator for the Navajo Nation is stationed in Window Rock Arizona. With the newly 4H program coordinator we have seen an increase in 4H participation in various 4H leadership sessions and 4H Project Day. With the assistance of the county agent Mike Hauser and partnership from Dine' College, the Navajo 4H program has seen an increase in Leader enrollment. It's been a challenge and a struggle but it's happening. Navajo Farmer and Rancher Productivity and Management (Priority 2) The agent continues in partnership withNavajo Technical University and DINE College Agents and NMSU Extension Agent to conduct manysessions on: A. New Mexico & Arizona Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Program To be eligible to lease a Tribal Bull, one must take this BQA session along with Livestock Record Keeping Workshop. Approximately 210 people were involved with the BQA certification and testing. One hundred and ninety people passed the required BQA certification part 1 exam. A Ninety percent passing grade. But approximately 110 more producers attended the session just to listen and learn. Evaluation from the overall BQA program indicated a 90-95% improved beef quality practices from knowledge gained through video teachings and chute-side demonstration. Improvements includes proper injections sites, vaccine care, marketing and good record keepings. Being persistent, BQA trainings are instrumental for the Navajo Beef Project. B. Livestock RecordKeeping The Livestock Record Keeping Program, a component of BQA remains very important to our Livestock Producers. With the knowledge gained. Verbal comments and roundtable discussions, livestock producers indicate these session(s) to be excellent and worthy. The price of cattle remains good and above average, livestock producers are making better business decisions according to their records and also improving bull selection through record keeping of past bulls they received through the Tribal Ranch Bull leasing program. C. Herd Health Workshops & Training Eleventh annual Navajo Nation Equine Expo was held in Window Rock Arizona for two days. On day one, Equine Quality Assurance Program included Equine Nutrition & Digestion System, Equine Disease Updates, Equine Supplemental, a Myth or Fiction, A Youth Guest Speaker spoke on "The Color Purple-Youth Suicide". Second day was provided by Navajo Technical University Veterinarian programon 1st Aid to your Horse. As a result of this annual Equine Expo event, many other horse workshops were held in different areas on the Navajo Nation. It is most rewarding to see and listen to native horse people about their own experience with their own horse(s) and what they learned throughout the years of attending this particular expo or in other areas. Survey of participants (approx. 79) to Equine workshops ranked program at 5 on a 1 low to 5 high scale. Increase in knowledge ranked this area 5. Evaluation indicated the continuing need for this workshop. 5 Open end question evaluation showed knowledge increased or gained by audience because speaker(s) were able to speak Navajo and English interchangeably, knowledge gain significantly. Most participants enjoy listening to the Traditional Horse Stories. 5 Navajo Garden Programs, Community Development (Priority 3) "It's All About Gardening", there was Approximately 25-30 students that enhanced their knowledge, critical thinking and skills in reference to horticulture and related issues through classroom participation. Number of students are a combined number in all four locations. 6 resource volunteers are now communicating through their communities to become involved with some type of horticulture educational information. They perform as instructors and consider them experts in home gardening. 90% of Gardener's attending indicated they got useful information from attending and that knowledge gained was from actual photos of various garden production from around the Navajo Nation including our own demonstration garden photos. Demonstration Garden is now 4 years old. Demonstration Garden was neglected this year and wasn't in full production. Lack of time and personnel commitment was at fault. Participants in the Garden program survey indicated a 4 on a 1 to 5 point scale as excellent. The Tri-State FRTEP agent prefers to incorporate methods that are both qualitative and quantitative to achieve a holistic perspective and adjust programming as necessary. Native agricultural producers often respond better to focus groups, interviews, open-ended survey questions and storytelling rather than linear, Western-style evaluation formats. Although this approach can be more time-consuming, it better allows the Tri-State FRTEP agent to provide culturally-appropriate materials and incorporate meaningful visual, hands-on demonstrations into presentations to Navajo producers and community members.
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