Progress 09/01/17 to 08/29/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The MSU Extension Service administers the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program located at the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in Pearl River Community, Choctaw, MS. Kaiti Ford is the current Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) agent and has served the tribe in the agent capacity since 2018. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is established to work with all state, federal and local organizations to identify needs, set priorities, and develop curriculums for delivering educational programs for the benefit of all Mississippians. The FRTEP agent provides agricultural and youth services to the eight MBCI communities with on-site program delivery to the communities in conjunction with other tribal organizations. By linking MSU Extension Service and tribal resources and services, the agent is continuously developing an educational based Extension program that serves individual tribal members, Choctaw Tribal Schools, the Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Choctaw Housing Authority, Tribal Forestry, Tribal Wildlife Law Enforcement, Boys and Girls Club, Tribal 4-H Program, Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and the Tribal Recreation Department. With the guidance of the Choctaw Extension Advisory Committee and the Director of MBCI Department of Natural Resources, the agent continues to focus programming efforts to promote modern production, marketing, and consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, provide adult and youth education in agriculture, health and nutrition, wildlife, forestry, financial management, child and family development and increased access to the tribal communities to Mississippi State University Extension Service resources and services. Changes/Problems:Problems- With some numbers of COVID-19 still on the reservation, some tribal members may not want to participate in activities. The FRTEP Agent is continuing with digital outreach to tribal members via tribal e-mail blast. Changes- In this next year of funding, we are looking to hold more in-person activities and possibly reach new Extension clientele, including The Residential Center and Elderly Center here on the Reservation. The FRTEP Agent is going to start having activities with more elders of the tribe. Report What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The MSUES Agent attended the Intertribal Agricultural Council (IAC) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP) also had a meeting at the IAC conference where concerns were voiced, and questions were answered regarding the future of FRTEP and FRTEP grant questions and tips. There were also speakers from different tribes in the general sessions giving insight and advice on how to overcome the struggles of the pandemic. The Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP) Summer Professional Development conference was held in Spokane, Washington. The professional development focused on 4-H and how to continue to have successful 4-H programs on tribal reservations. The conference also gave FRTEP agents the opportunity to discuss problems and misconceptions about tribal 4-H (i.e., the power struggle between county and tribal 4-H offices) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?E- Newsletters are sent via email to tribal employees in all tribal communities. There are 2130 tribal employees. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The same type of programs will be offered again as the situation permits using modified in-person and digital methods. The Extension Agent will modify programs as needed with the guidance of the Choctaw Extension Advisory Committee and the Director of the MBCI Department of Natural Resources.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
• Continuation of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), and MSUES partnerships implementation of health programming The SDPI program has not held in-person meetings for many months, however, digital information has been sent out. The department does not have a count of how many participants are available via email. The MSUES has participated in a health fair at Choctaw Health Center which had approximately 50 participants. However, the MSUES helped with a Bicycle Rodeo that was sponsored by the SDPI and there were 17 participants. The MSUES also went to Community Early Childhood Development centers and presented students with information and tasting of watermelon. The students learned that watermelon is good for them, and there were 30 participants in this program. ?• Continuation of stress therapeutic classes for different Tribal departments Stress therapeutic painting classes have been held for different Tribal departments. From the different stress therapeutic painting classes, there have been approximately 57 participants. There are more classes scheduled for Fall 2022.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The MSU Extension Service administers the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program located at the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in Pearl River Community, Choctaw, MS. Kaiti Ford is the current Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) agent and has served the tribe in the agent capacity since 2018. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is established to work with all state, federal and local organizations to identify needs, set priorities, and develop curriculums for delivering educational programs for the benefit of all Mississippians. The FRTEP agent provides agricultural and youth services to the eight MBCI communities with on-site program delivery to the communities in conjunction with other tribal organizations. By linking MSU Extension Service and tribal resources and services, the agent is continuously developing an educational based Extension program that serves individual tribal members, Choctaw Tribal Schools, the Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Choctaw Housing Authority, Tribal Forestry, Tribal Wildlife Law Enforcement, Boys and Girls Club, Tribal 4-H Program, Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and the Tribal Recreation Department. With the guidance of the Choctaw Extension Advisory Committee and the Director of MBCI Department of Natural Resources, the agent continues to focus programming efforts to promote modern production, marketing, and consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, provide adult and youth education in agriculture, health and nutrition, wildlife, forestry, financial management, child and family development and increased access to the tribal communities to Mississippi State University Extension Service resources and services. Changes/Problems:Problems- COVID-19 made in-person programming impossible due to tribal Executive Orders issued by Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben. The FRTEP Agent had to increase the use of digital communication, as well as maintaining both state and federal COVID-19 regulations and guidelines. However, with limited internet access in tribal communities, it was hard to disseminate information to tribal members. The FRTEP Agent uses avenues such as tribal e-mail blasts and handouts to get information to tribal members in each community. The lack of in-person meetings resulted in CAPPS not meeting and participating in trips to teach youth about agriculture and natural resources, Changes- FRTEP Agent mainly distributed information through digital means such as emails and handouts. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The FRTEP Agent was scheduled to attend the following conferences during the reporting time frame: FRTEP Professional Development conference in Florida (canceled due to COVID 19) Intertribal Agricultural Council (IAC) Meeting in Las Vegas in December 2020 (moved to virtual due to COVID-19) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?E-Newsletters are sent via email each quarter to share Extension information. Email blasts are also sent occasionally, numerous times a month, regarding various Extension information. For the Choctaw Farmer's Market Producer's Meeting, information is mailed out yearly. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The FRTEP Agent will seek guidance from the Choctaw Tribal Extension Advisory Council and the Director of the MBCI Department of Natural Resources on how to modify programming outlets. Once COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, the FRTEP Agent will reach out to various Tribal departments and Choctaw Tribal Schools to start rebooting Extension programming.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cogongrass and kudzu informational posters were made, in collaboration with Dan Fagerlie, Washington State University and the Tribal Collaborative Response to Invasive Species Project 2 to be placed in all facility buildings in each tribal community Despite lack of in-person meetings, producers of the Choctaw Farmer's Market was still given educational information by Mississippi State University pertaining to vegetable and fruit diseases by mailing handouts and publications (Participants, 5) Email blasts were sent out regarding health education and agricultural information by MSU Extension Service (2,130 tribal members reached each email blast) Tribal Natural Resources, Tribal Forestry, and Tribal Landscaping, and Pearl River Resort participated in safety trainings of equipment such as a chainsaw (Participants, 29) FRTEP purchased a John Deere 5055E Tractor and front-end loader for Natural Resources to help with the preparation of garden sites for the elderly in all tribal communities (Participants, 114) Tribal Natural Resources, Tribal Landscaping and Forestry participated in safety training of John Deere 5055 E Tractor (Participants, 11) Handouts were given to Choctaw Farmer's Market customers (elderly, WIC, disabled) that showed easy and safe way of freezing corn (customers, 247) FRTEP collaborated with Choctaw Fresh Produce to help present Horticulture information to Choctaw Conservation Youth Corps (CYCC) (Youth Served,6) Most important accomplishment: The purchase of a new John Deere 5055 E Tractor and front-end loader to help Natural Resources prepare garden sites and fire lanes. The purchase of this tractor will allow Tribal departments to fulfill the needs of tribal members in all 8 tribal communities. Most popular event: Choctaw Farmer's Market- The Choctaw Farmer's Market is accessible for qualifying tribal members who want fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer. The Choctaw Farmer's Market is held June-August of each year.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The MSU Extension Service administers the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program located at the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in Pearl River Community, Choctaw, MS. Kaiti Ford is the current Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) agent and has served the tribe in agent capacity since 2018. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is established to work with all state, federal and local organizations to identify needs, set priorities, and develop curriculums for delivering educational programs for the benefit of all Mississippians. The FRTEP agent provides agricultural and youth services to the eight MBCI communities with on-site program delivery to the communities in conjunction with other tribal organizations. By linking MSU Extension Service and tribal resources and services, the agent is continuously developing an educational based Extension program which serves individual tribal members, Choctaw Tribal Schools, the Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Choctaw Housing Authority, Tribal Forestry, Tribal Wildlife Law Enforcement, Boys and Girls Club, Tribal 4-H Program, Special Diabetes program for Indians (SDPI) and the Tribal Recreation Department. With the guidance of the Choctaw Extension Advisory Committee and the Director of MBCI Department of Natural Resources, the agent continues to focus programming efforts to promote modern production, marketing, and consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, provide adult and youth education in agriculture, health and nutrition, wildlife, forestry, financial management, child and family development and increase access of the tribal communities to Mississippi State University Extension Service resources and services. Changes/Problems:Problems - Covid-19 has made in-person programming more difficult. The FRTEP Agent has increased the use of digital instruction and communication, as well as maintaining state and federal Covid-19 guidelines when in-person classes are held. However, with lack of internet being a issue on the reservation, it is very difficult to get information out to the public. However, up-to-date information will be sent out via email to the tribal database to be disseminated out to tribal members. Changes - for the final year of the current funding, we are looking at adding additional Co-PIs, Dr. David Buys and Dr. Will Davis, to conduct a Demographic and Health Survey that will provide valuable and actionable data on the health and demographic characteristics of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. These data will ensure that accurate data provide a firm foundation upon which tribal policies and tribal extension programs can operate. The survey will cover demographic topics including: age, gender, race, education, marital status, family, language, residence, and other key characteristics. Furthermore, the health portion of the survey will provide information related to the current state of health and health needs among the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, including: overall physical and mental health, nutritional health, body composition, medical diagnoses of common illnesses, healthy behaviors, access to medical care, and more. In addition to demographic and health characteristics, the survey will cover other topics of interest to tribal policymakers and tribal extension, including food security, food access, and economic status. Of the approximately 11,000 people in the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the project seeks to sample at least 2,000 individuals across all eight communities. Changes - MS. Kaiti Ford is the current Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) agent and has served the tribe in agent capacity since 2018. We have filed the necessary update with USDA NIFA on this change. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The FRTEP Agent attended the following conferences during the reporting time frame: FRTEP Professional Development Conference held in Sault Ste Marie Michigan Intertribal Agricultural Council (IAC) Meeting in Las Vegas in December 2019. (FRTEP Agent presented at this conference showing different projects happening on the reservation.) Young Farmer's and Rancher's Conference held in Biloxi, MS in February 2020 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?E-Newsletters are sent via email to tribal members each quarter to share Extension information. Also, each year for the Choctaw Farmer's Market Producer Meeting, information is mailed out to farmers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The same type of programs will be offered again as the situation permits using modified in-person and digital methods. The FRTEP Agent will modify programs as needed with the guidance of the Choctaw Extension Advisory Committee and the Director of the MBCI Department of Natural Resources. Due to the increasing number of COVID cases, all in-person sessions and classes have been postponed until further notice. The tribe is still on a partial government shutdown. Unfortunately, Tribal Schools are not allowing any visitors on their campuses, and they are adjusting to hybrid scheduling.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
• Choctaw Fresh Produce employees, Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation, area farmers, and Choctaw Farmers Market employees received training from Produce Safety Alliance through MSU employees to improve farming operations (Participants, 26) • Continuation of the CAPPS program in the Choctaw Tribal School system (Youth Served, 13) • Continuation of stress therapeutic classes for different Tribal departments (Participants, 11) • Held a Swamp Cane Training with representatives from the Chickasaw Nation to teach the participants about different aspects about swamp cane such as propagation, care, and the different types of swamp cane. (Participants, 21) Most important accomplishment: The assistance given to Choctaw Fresh Produce employees, Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation, area farmers, and Choctaw Farmer's Market employees who received certification from the Produce Safety Alliance. The certification is only offered through appointment, but allows each person who completes training to have accreditation and certification. Most popular event: Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree - This event had approximately 150 participants in attendance, and incorporated state, federal and tribal agencies. It is held in September of each year.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The MSU Extension Service administers the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program located at the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in the Pearl River Community in Choctaw, MS. The Federally Recognized Tribes Program (FRTEP) serves eight communities around Mississippi and one in Tennessee. Kaitlyn Ford is the current Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) agent has served the tribe in agent capacity since October 2018. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is established to work with all state, federal, and local organizations to identify needs, set priorities, and develop curriculums for delivering educational programs for the benefit of all Mississippians. The FRTEP agent provides agricultural and youth services to the eight MBCI communities with on-site program delivery to the communities in conjunction with other tribal organizations. By linking MSU Extension Service and tribal resources and services, the agent is continuously developing an educational based Extension program which serves individual tribal members, Choctaw Tribal Schools, the Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation, Choctaw Housing Authority, Tribal Forestry, Tribal Wildlife Law Enforcement, Boys and Girls Club, Tribal 4-H Program, Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), and the Tribal Recreation Department. With the guidance of the Choctaw Extension Advisory Committee and the Director of MBCI Department of Natural Resources, the agent continues to focus programming efforts to promote modern production, marketing, and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, provide adult and youth education in agriculture, health, nutrition, wildlife, forestry, financial management, child and family development and increase access of the tribal communities to Mississippi State University Extension Service resources and services. 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?E-Newsletters are sent via email to tribal members What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The same type of programs will be offered again. The Extension Agent will modify programs as needed with the guidance of the Choctaw Extension Advisory Committee and the Director of the MBCI Department of Natural Resources.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Continuation of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), and MSUES partnerships implementation of health programming (Parcticipants, 70) Choctaw Fresh Produce employees, Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation, area farmers, and Choctaw Farmers Market employees received training from Produce Safety Alliance through MSU employees to improve farming operations (Participants, 71) Continuation of the CAPPS program in the Choctaw Tribal School system (Youth Served, 16) Continuation of stress therapeutic classes for different Tribal departments (Participants, 27) Most important accomplishment: The assistance given to Choctaw Fresh Produce employees, Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation, area farmers, and Choctaw Farmer's Market employees who received certification from the Produce Safety Alliance. The certification is only offered through appointment, but allows each person who completes training to have accreditation and certification. Most popular event: Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree - This event averages 900 participants annually, and incorporates state, federal and tribal agencies. It is held in September of each year.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Mississippi State University Extension Service is established to work with all state, federal and local organizations to identify needs, set priorities, and develop curriculums for delivering educational programs for the benefit of all Mississippians. The FRTEP agent will provide agricultural and youth services to the eight MBCI communities with on-site program delivery to the communities in conjunction with other tribal organizations. By linking MSU Extension Service and tribal resources and services, the agent will develop educational-based Extension programs which serve individual tribal members, Choctaw Tribal schools, the Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Choctaw Housing Authority, Tribal Forestry, Tribal Wildlife Law Enforcement, Boys and Girls Club, Tribal 4-H Program, Special Diabetes program for lndians (SDPI), and the Tribal Recreation Department. With the guidance of the Choctaw Extension Advisory Committee and the Director of MBCI Department of Natural Resources, the agent will focus programming efforts to promote modern production, marketing, and consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, provide adult and youth education in agriculture, health and nutrition, wildlife, forestry, financial management, child and family development, and increase access of the tribal communities to Mississippi State University Extension Service resources and services. The agent will interact with adjacent Extension Agents in the assigned area to assure programming responds to local needs and to participate in county data reporting, including accountability reports to stakeholders; demonstrate sensitivity to key social, economic and public issues; develop excellent relationships with educational, regulatory, and service organizations whose missions are relevant to the goals of Extension; and actively participate in local and state professional and civic organizations. Accomplishments: Choctaw Farmers Market budget increased by tribal council $5000.00 due to measures implemented to reduce spoilage, and make produce more available to local tribal population through mobile market. (Farmers Served, 21) Tribal Natural Resources and Forestry Departments implementation of machinery sanitation to prevent spread of the invasive weed Cogon Grass.(Participants, 33) Addition of tribal administration as advisory members to the Choctaw Challenge health promotion mud run, with an additional increase of $2000.00 to Choctaw Challenge budget for course enhancement and promotion of event statewide. (Advisory Participants, 12) Incorporation of Choctaw Agricultural Professionals Program for Students (CAPPS) to implement a mobile farmers market in conjunction with Choctaw Fresh Produce Enterprises mobile farmers market. (Youth served, 17) Extension's incorporation as educational resource for Choctaw Youth Conservation Corps (CYCC), and implementation of six MSUES specialist as resource educational personal. (Youth Served, 15) Continuation of Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree. (Participants, 756) Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree is largest educational event tribe host annually. Continuation of Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), and MSUES partnership's implementation of health programming. (Participants, 125) Most important accomplishment: The assistance given to Choctaw Fresh Produce (CFP) through MSUES to ensure Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices GAP/GHP certification completion for all CFP farms. In addition, two CFP farms obtained USDA Organic Certification, these certifications not only ensures the safest food supply possible for clients, but opens additional market opportunities. One such market opportunity is the Farm to School program, which CFP incorporated to supply local, farm fresh produce to all tribal schools. Most popular event: Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree: (CWJ) CWJ averages 900 participants annually, and incorporates state, federal, and tribal agencies. 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?The same type of programs will be offered again. The Extension Agent will modify programs as needed with the guidance of the Choctaw Extension Advisory Committee and the Director of MBCI Department of Natural Resources.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments: Choctaw Farmers Market budget increased by tribal council $5000.00 due to measures implemented to reduce spoilage, and make produce more available to local tribal population through mobile market. (Farmers Served, 21) Tribal Natural Resources and Forestry Departments implementation of machinery sanitation to prevent spread of the invasive weed Cogon Grass.(Participants, 33) Addition of tribal administration as advisory members to the Choctaw Challenge health promotion mud run, with an additional increase of $2000.00 to Choctaw Challenge budget for course enhancement and promotion of event statewide. (Advisory Participants, 12) Incorporation of Choctaw Agricultural Professionals Program for Students (CAPPS) to implement a mobile farmers market in conjunction with Choctaw Fresh Produce Enterprises mobile farmers market. (Youth served, 17) Extension's incorporation as educational resource for Choctaw Youth Conservation Corps (CYCC), and implementation of six MSUES specialist as resource educational personal. (Youth Served, 15) Continuation of Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree. (Participants, 756) Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree is largest educational event tribe host annually. Continuation of Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), and MSUES partnership's implementation of health programming. (Participants, 125) Most important accomplishment: The assistance given to Choctaw Fresh Produce (CFP) through MSUES to ensure Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices GAP/GHP certification completion for all CFP farms. In addition, two CFP farms obtained USDA Organic Certification, these certifications not only ensures the safest food supply possible for clients, but opens additional market opportunities. One such market opportunity is the Farm to School program, which CFP incorporated to supply local, farm fresh produce to all tribal schools. Most popular event: Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree: (CWJ) CWJ averages 900 participants annually, and incorporates state, federal, and tribal agencies.
Publications
|
|