Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is the third largest reservation with the largest American Indian population in Montana, there are 16,500 enrolled members. The Blackfeet Reservation encompasses 1.5 million acres, 3000 square miles and encompasses about ninety percent of Glacier and Pondera Counties. There are 10,405 people living on the reservation and nearly 35 percent are under the age of 18. Livestock, grain and forage production, oil and gas production, fishing, and Blackfeet industries all play a major part in the reservation economy. The primary industry is agriculture with reservation lands Blackfeet supporting 575,256 acres of crops harvested for grain (wheat, barley and oats) and forage production, of which 50,082 are irrigated acres and approximately 1,014,000 acres of grazing lands. There are 50,347 producing beef cows, 6,452 horses and 587 sheep pastured or penned on the reservation. The farms and ranches are owned and operated by 906 agricultural operators; 54 percent are Blackfeet tribal members and 31 percent are female. The target audiences are youth, agricultural producers, and community members Changes/Problems:In March of 2020 in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Per Blackfeet Tribal Business Council resolution "stay at home order". All tribal buildings and departments closed to public and only essential workers allowed to work in office space. In response to the orders, Blackfeet Extension Staff worked remotely from home on a telework contract with the university not allowed to return to office until April 19, 2021, and offices were not open to public for in-person meetings until June. We had to work in the office, no public was allowed in the building due to the spike in covid cases until early July 2021. Unfortunately, this directly impacted our ability to address all of our grant program goals because most of it was intended to work directly with the public. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Extension Agent provides monthly reports to tribal council at the Tribal Ag meetings and one on one. Also meets once a year witht the Glacier County Commisioners to update them on the Blackfeet Extension Program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
-Promoted and recruited the 4-H Youth development program via articles, social media, pamphlets and word of mouth resulting in the enrollment and participation of ninety-three 4-H members, thirteen leaders who participate in eight 4-H clubs. Engaging in hands on learning and completing 4-H project literature books and record keeping forms. -Provided a required virtual training to all enrolled 4-H families on how to utilize the new online 4-H enrollment program called Zsuites. Resulting in everyone in 4-H enrolled via Zsuites successfully. -Provided "Basics of 4-H training and Leader Orientation" for two new leaders via Zoom, resulting in one new 4-H Club with two new leaders and 13 youth enrolled in the Sage Flats 4-H Club. -Provided information on raising finished market animals - selection, care, feed ration guidelines for the following species initially enrolled in the animal projects resulting in an increased knowledge and confidence in feeding out and care of animal projects: Beef market (21) and (2) Breeding Beef, Sheep (2) and Swine (28. -Eleven youth enrolled in the 4-H Market Swine learned how to select, care, and how to feed swine to result a finished market weight, and tips and on how to prepare for and show a hog at the hands-on clinic. -Twenty-two youth, their parents and 4-H Fair livestock committee attended a demonstration and hands on practice at the two-day Blackfeet 4-H Steer Grooming and showmanship Clinic. Participants worked with their steers by learning how about different feed choices and why, wash, groom, fit and show the steer. They all participated at the 4-H Fair Beef Showmanship and Market show where they implemented what they learned. It was very impressive and a proud moment the knowledge they retained. -4-H Livestock Quality Assurance Certification virtual training: proper care, feeding, drug administration and treatment of the animal to ensure a safe food product through 4-H market animal projects. All market 4-H members and parents were required to attend the training at the Junior age (8-13) then senior age (14+). Fifteen 4-H youth and their parents were certified and allowed to sell their market animal through the 4-H fair sale. -4-H Food Handlers/Serve Safe Certification is required of members every other year, the training provided information on how to prevent foodborne illnesses by proper handling of food, hygiene, and customer service during the 4-H Fair. Eighty-one youth and their parents were certified at the training making them eligible to work in the 4-H Food Booth during the 4-H fair. All money raised in the food booth goes to the youth as a participation incentive program. For every ribbon there's a point value, each point is worth $1.00. For youth to be eligible they must be certified and work in the food booth for a minimum of four hours. Committee paid out $1878 in premium points to certified youth. -Promote and increase ownership of local 4-H Fair by encouraging and providing the opportunity for leadership of youth and adult volunteers that planned and implemented the four-day fair, auction/buyers meal and working ranch horse competition. Twenty-two volunteers met quarterly for Livestock, Exhibit Building, Food Booth, and Facility committee meetings to organize the 15th Annual Charging Home Stampede 4-H Fair on the Blackfeet Reservation. -Organized and the first 4-H Dog Showmanship and Obedience Clinic for five 4-H project members, where they learned how the equipment, show and obedience patterns, how to clean and groom dogs, show their dogs and basic dog information. All five of the youth participated in the 4-H Dog Showmanship and Obedience Show. -15th Annual Charging Home Stampede 4-H Youth Fair and Market Animal Auction: 71 of the of the 93-youth enrolled in the Blackfeet Program 4-H program participated in the local four day 4-H fair where they had the opportunity to exhibit and show what they learned through their project work. 4-H projects ranged from cooking, wood working, welding to large (beef, swine & lamb) and small animals (dog, cat, poultry and rabbit) The youth prepared all year long to ensure their 4-H project items or animal were finished to exhibit at fair. They earned $172,283.75 from the sale of their market animals and $2400 in awards called livestock top awards, and went home with many ribbons, rosettes and trophies. This fair also offers the public, the opportunity to see all of their show and exhibits which shows the public what 4-H youth are learning through the 4-H Program. -Financial and Production Record Keeping: promote the importance of and methods of record keeping in agriculture. The first step to increasing production and profitability is setting financial and production goals and keeping accurate record to measure how well the goals have been achieved. A key tool is the pocket-sized Red Book, which cattle producers use "in the field" to record information about their cattle and activity. Fifty adult and junior agriculture producers received the Red Books Integrated Resource Management record keeping information and instruction. Keeping good records are critical tool when accessing federal disaster programs for producers. -Provided leadership as an executive board member (Secretary/Treasurer) of the Blackfeet Nation Stock Growers Association. This group focused on challenges stock producers deal with and find ways to address the challenges, be it educational or policy. This past year we address Beef Marketing Options, organizing and collectively selling 2800 head of feeder calves to a buyer resulting in a very fair market price. There are currently 45 members in the association. We also purchased a new portable scale to weigh the calves instead of borrowing one during shipping season. The Association has continued to address predator control issues (Bear, mountain lion, wolves and coyotes) resulting in one full-time wildlife service's agent that provide control and report depredation and work with APHIS and the Blackfeet Fish and Game Department to set up electric fences to protect the 4-H Market Animals on the ranches on the Blackfeet Reservation. -Blackfeet Beef and Bison Processing Plant Planning Team: The agent is a member of planning team for the development of the plant. Research funding streams and planners to assist making this project a reality on the Blackfeet Reservation. Met for the past year and arrived at a final plan to submit the Blackfeet Tribal Council for approval to implement. The plant plans have changed since its inception and now are exploring a more of a mobile unit. -A member of the Blackfeet Agriculture programs who meets monthly for the Blackfeet Tribal Agriculture team discussing and planning the current and future of Agriculture. Currently planning the development of the new Blackfeet Ag Department that came from the five year long project that was completed called the Blackfeet Agriculture Resource management plan that will act as the tribe's strategic plan for the comprehensive management of the reservations resources, it is a tribal policy document based on the visions that the tribe and tribal landowners have for their reservation. The ARMP has Identified available agriculture resources, specific tribal goals and objectives for the resources, defined critical values of the tribe and its members, established holistic management objectives for the resources and was developed through public meetings and door to door campaign making use of the public meeting records, existing survey documents, reports, and other research from federal agencies, tribal community colleges, and land grant universities. -Presented via web at the USDA Working Effectively with Tribal Nations, a training workshop for USDA NRCS staff of Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming. The agent presented on best practices to establish relationships and outreach with tribal nations.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is the third largest reservation with the largest American Indian population in Montana, there are 16,500 enrolled members. The Blackfeet Reservation encompasses 1.5 million acres, 3000 square miles and encompasses about ninety percent of Glacier and Pondera Counties. There are 10,405 people living on the reservation and nearly 35 percent are under the age of 18. Livestock, grain and forage production, oil and gas production, fishing, and forest industries all play a major part in the reservation economy. The primary industry is agriculture with reservation lands Blackfeet supporting 575,256 acres of crops harvested for grain (wheat, barley and oats) and forage production, of which 50,082 are irrigated acres and approximately 1,014,000 acres of grazing lands. There are 50,347 producing beef cows, 6,452 horses and 587 sheep pastured or penned on the reservation. The farms and ranches are owned and operated by 906 agricultural operators; 54 percent are Blackfeet tribal members and 31 percent are female. The target audiences are youth, agricultural producers and community members Changes/Problems:March 16, 2020 in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Per Blackfeet Tribal Business Council resolution "stay at home order". All tribal buildings and departments closed to public and only essential workers allowed to work in office space. In response to the orders, Blackfeet Extension Staff worked remotely from home on a telework contract with the university not allowed to return to office until April 19, 2021, and offices were not open to public for in-person meetings until June. Currently at this time we are working in the office but no public is allowed in the building due to the spike in covid cases. As our community continues to open back up to the pubic for business, we plan to carry out the goals of the program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Email Blackfeet 4-H FaceBook site Virtual report of activites Text messages Newspaper article What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?SPRING: Youth: 4-H Newsletter, Fair Preparation through organized planning committees (livestock, exhibit, food booth, horse), hold two Livestock Quality Assurance Certification Trainings, Market Animal Weigh-In, Feed, Care, Grooming and Showmanship workshops, Working Ranch Horse Clinics and Event, hold two Food Safety and Handling Certification Trainings, 4-H Leaders Council Meeting, preparation of Fair Entry and Exhibiting Packets, Interview and Exhibit Judges Orientation, recruitment and management of volunteers, construction and maintenance of fair buildings as needed, Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. Agriculture: Annual Farm & Ranch Seminar for Ag Producers Workshops -provide beef production, range and weed management, agriculture policy and estate planning learning opportunity. Ag Newsletter and Community Ag Calendar, Rural Assistance Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. SUMMER: Youth: 4-H Lamb Slick-Shearing and workshop, Fair Preparation through organized planning committees (livestock, exhibit, food booth, horse), 4-H Fair, Evaluate 4-H market animal carcasses and workshop, Fair business wrap-up and clean-up, Completed 4-H Record Book Review, New 4-H Family Orientation and Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. Agriculture: Beef Quality Assurance and Care Certification Training, Regional Intertribal Ag Council Symposium for producers, Rural Assistance Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. FALL: Youth: 4-H Newsletter, 4-H Leaders Council meeting, Promote & Recruit 4-H Enrollment, National 4-H Week activities, 4-H Achievement and Awards Ceremony, Basics of 4-H workshop, 4-H Record Book Training, Intertribal Agriculture Council National Essay Writing Competition, FFA/4-H Loan Program-funding plan for project, Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging, Jr Ag Week-ranch visits and workshops- record keeping, financial statements, cow body condition scoring and feed ration balancing. Agriculture: Beef Heifer Development workshop, Beef Marketing Options workshop, Rural Assistance Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. WINTER: Youth: 4-H Newsletter, Market Beef Weigh-In, Feed, Care, Grooming and Showmanship Workshops, Fair Preparation through organized planning committees (livestock, exhibit, food booth, horse), Clubs-Councils-Committees Treasurers Training. Agriculture & Grazing
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
-Promoted and recruited the 4-H Youth development program resulting in the enrollment and participation of eighty-one 4-H members, thirteen leaders who participate in eight 4-H clubs. -Provided virtual training to 4-H families about the new online 4-H enrollment program called Zsuites. Resulting in everyone in 4-H enrolled via Zsuites successfully. -Provided "Basics of 4-H training and Leader Orientation" for two new leaders via Zoom, resulting in one new 4-H Club -Provided information about raising a finished market animals - selection, care, feed ration guidelines for the following species initially enrolled in the animal projects: Beef market (21) and (2) Breeding Beef, Sheep (2) and Swine (28) -Eleven youth learned how to select, care, and how and feed swine to a finished weight, and showmanship at a clinic -Twenty-two youth, their parents and 4-H Fair livestock committee attended a 4-H Steer Grooming and showmanship Clinic, where they implemented their knowledge next day at the Fair Showmanship Show. -4-H Livestock Quality Assurance Certification virtual training via Zoom: proper care, feeding, drug administration and treatment of the animal to ensure a safe food product through 4-H market animal projects. All market 4-H members and parents are required to attend the training at the Junior age (8-13) then senior age (14+). Fifteen 4-H youth and their parents were certified and allowed to sell their market animal through the 4-H fair sale. -4-H Food Handlers/Serve Safe Certification is required of members every other year, training provides information on how to prevent foodborne illnesses by proper handling of food, hygiene, and customer service during the 4-H Fair. Eighty-one youth and their parents were certified via Zoom training making them eligible to work in the 4-H Food Booth during the 4-H fair. All money raised in the food booth goes to the youth as a participation incentive program. For every ribbon there's a point value, each point is worth $1.00. For youth to be eligible they must be certified and work in the food booth for a minimum of four hours. Committee paid out $1728 in premium points to certified youth. -Promote and increase ownership of local 4-H Fair by encouraging and providing the opportunity for leadership of youth and adult volunteers to plan and implement the four-day fair, auction/buyers meal and working ranch horse competition. Twenty-two volunteers met monthly via Zoom for Livestock, Exhibit Building, Food Booth, and Facility committee meetings to organize the 12th Annual Charging Home Stampede 4-H Fair on the Blackfeet Reservation. -12th Annual Charging Home Stampede 4-H Youth Fair and Market Animal Auction: 73 of the 81-youth enrolled in the Blackfeet Program 4-H program participated in the local three day 4-H fair where they had the opportunity to exhibit and show what they learned through their project work. 4-H projects range from cooking, wood working, robotics to large and small animals. The youth prepared all year long to ensure their 4-H project items or animal were finished to exhibit at fair. They earned $207,913 from the sale of their market animals and $2400 in awards called livestock cash awards, and went home with many ribbons, rosettes and trophies. -Organized and implemented the 4-H Working Ranch Horse Competition. Eleven youth exhibited their knowledge and ranch horse abilities through events like trail patterns, roping & sorting cattle. -Intertribal Agriculture Council Projects on Blackfeet Reservation: Worked cooperatively with the IAC staff to implement a national writing contest. The essay contest was different from the past, (due to covid) youth were asked to watch NETFLIX fil "Kiss the Ground" and share the three most prominent messages: In what ways can you contribute to a more regenerative food and ag system in your community? What traditional or cultural land stewardship practices align with our transition back to regenerative ag and food production practices? What ways can you get involved in your own community as a young leader promoting a regenerative future? There were 20 essays submitted and I organized the review team of four individuals throughout the US to read, rank and choose the top three essays. Top essay writers won cash prizes and more importantly learned by watching the film where Science experts and celebrity activists showed the ways in which the earths soil may be the key to combatting climate change and preserving the planet. In a normal year we usually read and rank on the average 160 essays, due to Covid pandemic there was a huge decline in participation. -IAC Back-Pack Program: Devoted time and labor to complete the assembly of 106 boxes of American Indian Made products throughout Indian Country. IAC provided the boxes and products and we assembled and delivered them to the local school district Parent/Community outreach program where they were made available to 106 families. These were provided to offset food needs and share what others are producing on their reservations. -4-H in Indian Country Presentation: Presented at the IAC Membership Virtual Conference to over 600 participants. Those in attendance learned what the steps to developing their own 4-H program and fair & auction on their reservations based on the Blackfeet Reservation Extension program experience. -Financial and Production Record Keeping: promote the importance of and methods of record keeping in agriculture. The first step to increasing production and profitability is setting financial and production goals and keeping accurate record to measure how well the goals have been achieved. A key tool is the pocket-sized Red Book, which cattle producers use "in the field" to record information about their cattle and activity. Twenty adult and junior agriculture producers received the Red Books Integrated Resource Management record keeping information and instruction. Keeping good records are critical tool when accessing federal disaster programs for producers. -Provided leadership as an executive board member (Secretary/Treasurer) of the Blackfeet Nation Stock Growers Association. This group focused on challenges stock producers deal with and find ways to address the challenges, be it educational or policy. This past year we address Beef Marketing Options, organizing and collectively selling 4000 head to a buyer resulting in a very fair market price. There are 36 members on the association who currently have signed Sale contracts with a cattle buyer to sell in October and will be using for the first time the new portable scale to weigh the calves. funding for the scale was a grant written and submitted by the Association. The Association has continued to address predator control issues (Bear, mountain lion, wolves and coyotes) resulting in one full-time wildlife service's agent that provide control and report depredation the Blackfeet Reservation. -Covid 19 Financial Relief for Ag Producers: Advertised financial assistance programs that were available to producers, CFAP (Coronavirus Food Assistance Program) and Montana Business Stabilization Grants. Assisted seven ag producers with their grant applications and reporting. All seven were successful in obtaining the grant and the collective total amount was $123,200.00 which helped the producers who faced market disruptions due to Covid 19.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is the third largest reservation with the largest American Indian population in Montana, there are 16,500 enrolled members. The Blackfeet Reservation encompasses 1.5 million acres, 3000 square miles and encompasses about ninety percent of Glacier and Pondera Counties. There are 10,405 people living on the reservation and nearly 35 percent are under the age of 18. Livestock, grain and forage production, oil and gas production, fishing, and forest industries all play a major part in the reservation economy. The primary industry is agriculture with reservation lands Blackfeet supporting 575,256 acres of crops harvested for grain (wheat, barley and oats) and forage production, of which 50,082 are irrigated acres and approximately 1,014,000 acres of grazing lands. There are 50,347 producing beef cows, 6,452 horses and 587 sheep pastured or penned on the reservation. The farms and ranches are owned and operated by 906 agricultural operators; 54 percent are Blackfeet tribal members and 31 percent are female. The target audiences are youth, agricultural producers and community members. Changes/Problems:March 16, 2020 in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Per Blackfeet Tribal Business Council resolution "stay at home order". All tribal buildings and departments closed to public and only essential workers allowed to work in office space. And per the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council Excerpt # E2020-157 Cancel ALL 2020 Community Events. Motion was made to cancel All community events that encompass social gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This included the Charging Home Stampede 4-H fair in Browning. In response to the orders, Blackfeet Extension Staff works from home on a telework contract with the university. At this time, unessential staff is NOT allowed to go to work, and stay at home orders are still in place until further notice. This pandemic has greatly impacted our ability to complete the grant plan of work over the past six months. As our community begins to open back up for business we plan to carry out the goals of the program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Email Blackfeet 4-H Facebook for public and Private Groups sites Virtual Meetings: Zoom Conference Calls Meetings/report of activities Tours Workshops Ag & 4-H Newsletter Text Messages Newspaper articles What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?SPRING: Youth: 4-H Newsletter, Fair Preparation through organized planning committees (livestock, exhibit, food booth, horse), hold two Livestock Quality Assurance Certification Trainings, Market Animal Weigh-In, Feed, Care, Grooming and Showmanship workshops, Working Ranch Horse Clinics and Event, hold two Food Safety and Handling Certification Trainings, 4-H Leaders Council Meeting, preparation of Fair Entry and Exhibiting Packets, Interview and Exhibit Judges Orientation, recruitment and management of volunteers, construction and maintenance of fair buildings as needed, Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. Agriculture: Annual Farm & Ranch Seminar for Ag Producers Workshops -provide beef production, range and weed management, agriculture policy and estate planning learning opportunity. Ag Newsletter and Community Ag Calendar, Rural Assistance Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. SUMMER: Youth: 4-H Lamb Slick-Shearing and workshop, Fair Preparation through organized planning committees (livestock, exhibit, food booth, horse), 4-H Fair, Evaluate 4-H market animal carcasses and workshop, Fair business wrap-up and clean-up, Completed 4-H Record Book Review, New 4-H Family Orientation and Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. Agriculture: Beef Quality Assurance and Care Certification Training, Regional Intertribal Ag Council Symposium for producers, Rural Assistance Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. FALL: Youth: 4-H Newsletter, 4-H Leaders Council meeting, Promote & Recruit 4-H Enrollment, National 4-H Week activities, 4-H Achievement and Awards Ceremony, Basics of 4-H workshop, 4-H Record Book Training, Intertribal Agriculture Council National Essay Writing Competition, FFA/4-H Loan Program-funding plan for project, Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging, Jr Ag Week-ranch visits and workshops- record keeping, financial statements, cow body condition scoring and feed ration balancing. Agriculture: Beef Heifer Development workshop, Beef Marketing Options workshop, Rural Assistance Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. WINTER: Youth: 4-H Newsletter, Market Beef Weigh-In, Feed, Care, Grooming and Showmanship Workshops, Fair Preparation through organized planning committees (livestock, exhibit, food booth, horse), Clubs-Councils-Committees Treasurers Training. Agriculture & Grazing Plans, Ag Newsletter, Beef Record Keeping workshop, Calving Management workshop, Ag Loan Borrowers Training.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
-Promoted and recruited the 4-H Youth development program resulting in the enrollment and participation of 107 4-H members, 9 leaders who participate in 8 4-H clubs, one of which is a new club organized in 2019 and recruited adult and older 4-H youth participation -Co-organized the first Blackfeet 4-H Communications Contest: 13 youth presented to the local judges and audience, providing a great opportunity for youth to learn more about their 4-H projects and communication and public speaking skills. -Provided information about raising a finished market animal - selection, care, feed ration guidelines for the following species initially enrolled in the animal projects prior to the pandemic, several members dropped out upon the news that there would be no inperson fair: Beef market (21) and (2) Breeding Beef, Sheep (2) and Swine (46) and (1) Breeding Swine, care, grooming and showmanship. -4-H Livestock Quality Assurance Certification virtual training: proper care, feeding, drug administration and treatment of the animal to ensure a safe food product through 4-H market animal projects. All market 4-H members and parents are required to attend the training at the Junior age (8-13) then senior age (14+). Ten new 4-H youth and their parents were certified and allowed to sell their market animal through the 4-H fair sale. -Promote and increase ownership of local 4-H Fair by encouraging and providing the opportunity for leadership of youth and adult volunteers to plan and implement the four-day fair, auction/buyers barbeque and working ranch horse competition. 22 volunteers met monthly for Livestock, Exhibit Building, Food Booth, and Facility committee meetings to plan the 11th Annual Charging Home Stampede 4-H Fair on the Blackfeet Reservation. -Charging Home Stampede 4-H Youth Private Treaty market animal sales catalog: due to the covid-19 pandemic , stay at home order and restriction on travel and no public gathering we were unable to host an in-person 4-H Fair and Auction, instead voted to develop a Private Treaty Sales Catalog, where youth and animal information was included, youth had to make contact with potential buyers and negotiate prices with buyers of their choice. 37 of the 107 youth enrolled in the Blackfeet Program 4-H program participated and sold 21 hogs, 2 lambs and 14 steers, the remaining market animals were fed out and butchered for family consumption. They collectively earned $111,014 from the sale of their market animals. We worked with the Intertribal Agriculture Council to offset the cost to the buyers by donating the cost of harvesting and packaging the animal - saving buyers a total of $17,615. -Financial and Production Record Keeping: promote the importance of and methods of record keeping in agriculture. The first step to increasing production and profitability is setting financial and production goals and keeping accurate record to measure how well the goals have been achieved. A key tool is the pocket-sized Red Book, which cattle producers use "in the field" to record information about their cattle and activity. Fifty adult and junior agriculture producers received the Red Books Integrated Resource Management record keeping information and instruction. Keeping good records are critical tool when accessing federal disaster programs for producers. -Organized a Ranchers Round Table for 21 producers learned about and was actively engaged in the conversations about the following agricultural tips: Cow Body Conditioning Going into the Winter, Feeding Cows: Different ages and what hay is in the stack, How to develop your grazing plans and Winter Grazing, Preparing for Calving season, What's in your calving toolbox, Practical observation of the cow herd, Stages of Calving and Ranch Yearly Calendar - Planning together exercise. -Provided leadership as an executive board member of the Blackfeet Nation Stock growers Association. This group focused on challenges stock producers deal with and find ways to address the challenges, be it educational or policy. This past year we address Beef Marketing Options, organizing and collectively selling 1200 calves to one buyer at $720,000, this resulted in a growing number of members of the association from 32 to 52. In July we the membership already contracted with a cattle buyer and will be selling 2700 head of calves. We have continued to address predator control issues (Bear, mountain lion, wolves and coyotes) resulting in one full-time wildlife service's agent that service the Blackfeet Reservation.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is the third largest reservation with the largest American Indian population in Montana, there are 16,500 enrolled members. The Blackfeet Reservation encompasses 1.5 million acres, 3000 square miles and encompasses about ninety percent of Glacier and Pondera Counties. There are 10,405 people living on the reservation and nearly 35 percent are under the age of 18. Livestock, grain and forage production, oil and gas production, fishing, and forest industries all play a major part in the reservation economy. The primary industry is agriculture with reservation lands supporting 575,256 acres of crops harvested for grain (wheat, barley and oats) and forage production, of which 50,082 are irrigated acres and approximately 1,014,000 acres of grazing lands. There are 50,347 producing beef cows, 6,452 horses and 587 sheep pastured or penned on the reservation. The farms and ranches are owned and operated by 906 agricultural operators; 54 percent are Blackfeet tribal members and 31 percent are female. The target audiences are youth, agricultural producers and community members. 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?Email Blackfeet 4-H Facebooks site Meetings/report of activities Tours Workshops Ag & 4-H Newsletter Text Messages Newspaper articles What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?SPRING: Youth: 4-H Newsletter, Fair Preparation through organized planning committees (livestock, exhibit, food booth, horse), hold two Livestock Quality Assurance Certification Trainings, Market Animal Weigh-In, Feed, Care, Grooming and Showmanship workshops, Working Ranch Horse Clinics and Event, hold two Food Safety and Handling Certification Trainings, 4-H Leaders Council Meeting, preparation of Fair Entry and Exhibiting Packets, Interview and Exhibit Judges Orientation, recruitment and management of volunteers, construction and maintenance of fair buildings as needed, Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. Agriculture: Annual Farm & Ranch Seminar for Ag Producers Workshops -provide beef production, range and weed management, agriculture policy and estate planning learning opportunity. Ag Newsletter and Community Ag Calendar, Rural Assistance Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. SUMMER: Youth: 4-H Lamb Slick-Shearing and workshop, Fair Preparation through organized planning committees (livestock, exhibit, food booth, horse), 4-H Fair, Evaluate 4-H market animal carcasses and workshop, Fair business wrap-up and clean-up, Completed 4-H Record Book Review, New 4-H Family Orientation and Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. Agriculture: Beef Quality Assurance and Care Certification Training, Regional Intertribal Ag Council Symposium for producers, Rural Assistance Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. FALL: Youth: 4-H Newsletter, 4-H Leaders Council meeting, Promote & Recruit 4-H Enrollment, National 4-H Week activities, 4-H Achievement and Awards Ceremony, Basics of 4-H workshop, 4-H Record Book Training, Intertribal Agriculture Council National Essay Writing Competition, FFA/4-H Loan Program-funding plan for project, Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging, Jr Ag Week-ranch visits and workshops- record keeping, financial statements, cow body condition scoring and feed ration balancing. Agriculture: Beef Heifer Development workshop, Beef Marketing Options workshop, Rural Assistance Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging. WINTER: Youth: 4-H Newsletter, Market Beef Weigh-In, Feed, Care, Grooming and Showmanship Workshops, Fair Preparation through organized planning committees (livestock, exhibit, food booth, horse), Clubs-Councils-Committees Treasurers Training. Agriculture & Grazing Plans, Ag Newsletter, Beef Record Keeping workshop, Calving Management workshop, Ag Loan Borrowers Training.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
-Promoted and recruited adult and older 4-H youth participation on the 4-H Leaders Council. The ten member council metquarterly with extension staff to identify program needs, set goals, training, certifications and yearly plan and calendar. -Promoted higher education by fundraising and giving an annual $500 scholarship to one 4-H member planning to college or vocational school. Plus a local private donor gave $2500.00 in scholarships to two youth entering college and 3 continuing college students. -Hosted two youth Interns (college freshman and high school age) for careers in agriculuture experience. -Presented and provided information on raising a finished market animal - selection, care, feed ration guidelines, grooming, showmanship and carcass evaluation for the following species: Beef market (21) and (2) Breeding Beef, Sheep (2) and Swine (46) and (1) Breeding Swine, care, grooming and showmanship and horse: anatomy, breeds, feed and nutrition, health, equipment, safety, basic roping skills and moving cattle horseback. -4-H Livestock Quality Assurance Certification Training: proper care, feeding, drug administration and treatment of the animal to ensure a safe food product through 4-H market animal projects. All market 4-H members and parents are required to attend the training at the Junior age (8-13) then senior age (14+). Fifteen youth and their parents were certified and allowed to show and sell their market animal at the fair showmanship and market show. -4-H Serve Safe/Food Handlers Certification required of members every other year, training provides information on how to prevent foodborne illnesses by proper handling of food, hygiene and customer service during the 4-H Fair. Seventy-six youth and their parents were certified making them eligible to work in the 4-H Food Booth during the 4-H fair. All of the money raised in the food booth goes to the youth as a participation incentive program. For every ribbon there's a point value, each point is worth $1.00.In order for youth to be eligible they must be certified and work in the food booth for a minimum of three hours. Committee paid out $2457 in premium points to youth. -Montana 4-H Week of Service is an initiative to encourage Montana 4-H youth to make a positive impact within their communities and share what they are doing during a week in April. The 4-H Clubs on the Blackfeet Reservation joined together to illustrate how BIG of a difference Montana 4-H can make by participating in community service projects by making of tie-blankets for critical care children at hospitals. 4-H clubs donated blanket material and supplied the labor. Thirty-two youth and their parents tied 27 blankets. The blankets were donated to the Blackfeet Community Hospital Emergency Room and In-Patient Ward for critical care children and babies. -Promote and increase ownership of local 4-H Fair by encouraging and providing the opportunity for leadership of youth and adult volunteers to plan and implement the four day fair, auction/buyers barbeque and working ranch horse competition. 22 volunteers met quarterly for Livestock, Exhibit Building, Food Booth, Facility, and working ranch horse at committee meetings to plan the 10th Annual Charging Home Stampede 4-H Fair on the Blackfeet Reservation. Through fundraising efforts, $11,000.00 was raised to build an addition onto the existing 4-H hog barn, expand wash bays with plumbing for the 4-H steers, sheep and swine. -Charging Home Stampede 4-H Youth Fair and market animal auction: 98 of the 103 youth enrolled in the Blackfeet Program 4-H program participated in the local 4-H fair where they had the opportunity to exhibit and show what they learned through their project work. 4-H projects range from cooking, wood working, robotics to large and small market animals.The youth prepared all year long to ensure their 4-H project items or animal were finished to exhibit at fair. They earned $211,965 from the sale of their market animals and $2400 in awards called livestock cash awards, and went home with many ribbons, rosettes and trophies. -Financial and Production Record Keeping: promote the importance of and methods of record keeping in agriculture. The first step to increasing production and profitability is setting financial and production goals and keeping accurate record to measure how well the goals have been achieved. A key tool is the pocket-sized Red Book, which cattle producers use "in the field" to record information about their cattle and activity. Fifty adult and junior agriculture producers received the Red BooksIntegrated Resource Management record keeping information and instruction. Keeping good records are critical tool when accessing federal disaster programs for producers. -Organized a Farm & Ranch Seminar, 43 producers learned about the Keeps Eagle Case and History and Native American Agriculture Fund, weather outlook, spring grazing options, economic implications and prevention of the bovine disease Trichomoniasis, grazing distribution tools, USDA Wildlife services available to producers, 2019 Predator Control report for the past season, and county cattle petition and the services provided with the funds. -Cooperatively with the Blackfeet Tribe and Blackfeet Conservation District for the completion of the Blackfeet Agriculture Resources Management Plan that will include an environmental assessment. The ARMP defines specific tribal goals and objectives for the agriculture and range resources of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The project was funded $330,000 over a three year period. The final ARMP provides the Blackfeet Nation with updated information to develop their own tribal policy that will protect their resources and allow tribe producers to thrive. -Provided leadership in the reactivation of the Blackfeet Nation Stock growers Association. This group focused on challenges stock producers deal with and find ways to address the challenges, be it educational or policy. This past year we address Beef Marketing Options, organizing and collectively selling 1200 calves to one buyer at $720,000, reviewed and provided input for changes to the new 2019 grazing policy, and addressed predator control issues (Bear, mountain lion, wolves and coyotes) resulting in one full-time wild life service's agent that service the Blackfeet Reservation. The Extension agent serves as the secretary of the Association.
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Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is the third largest reservation with the largest American Indian population in Montana, there are 16,500 enrolled members. The Blackfeet Reservation encompasses 1.5 million acres, 3000 square miles and encompasses about ninety percent of Glacier and Pondera Counties. There are 10,405 people living on the reservation and nearly 35 percent are under the age of 18. Livestock, grain and forage production, oil and gas production, fishing, and forest industries all play a major part in the reservation economy. The primary industry is agriculture with reservation lands supporting 575,256 acres of crops harvested for grain (wheat, barley and oats) and forage production, of which 50,082 are irrigated acres and approximately 1,014,000 acres of grazing lands. There are 50,347 producing beef cows, 6,452 horses and 587 sheep pastured or penned on the reservation. The farms and ranches are owned and operated by 906 agricultural operators; 54 percent are Blackfeet tribal members and 31 percent are female. The target audiences are youth, agricultural producers and community members. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Motivating Leaders Training, Montana Nutrition & Livestock Forum, MT Ag Summit, Blackfeet Ag Summit, Rocky Mountain Region Intertribal Agriculture Council Symposium for Agriculturcal producers, FRTEP Professional Development in MT, FRTEP Annual meeting How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information and results have been shared by regular communication with community members, tribal council, reports and updates at program director meetings, Ag Committee and grassroots organizations like stock growers association, conservation district, fair planning committees; University's Annual Reporting System, Activity Insight Reporting Program, and through newsletters, news releases, community calendars, social media, workshops and seminars. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The priority program areas of the Blackfeet Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program are Tribal Youth and 4-H, and Indian Farmer and Ranch Productivity and Management. To address the program priorities and achieve the goals set forth the Blackfeet Extension Program implemented a variety of activities and several programming efforts Promoted and recruited adult and older 4-H youth participation on the 4-H Leaders Council. The seven member council worked with extension staff to identify program needs, set goals, training, certifications and yearly plan and calendar. Resulting in 92 enrolled 4-H members eleven organizational and project leaders in eight different 4-H clubs building life skills that will result in productive, caring citizens. 4-H Livestock Quality Assurance Certification Training: proper care, feeding, drug administration and treatment of the animal to ensure a safe food product through 4-H market animal projects. Fifty-eight youth and their parents were certified and allowed to show and sell their market animal at the fair showmanship and market show. Market animal selection, feed, care, grooming and showmanship clinics: Presented and provided information on raising a finished market animal - selection, care, feed ration guidelines, grooming, showmanship and carcass evaluation for the following species: Beef, Sheep and Swine, pet cat care, grooming and showmanship. 4-H Serve Safe/Food Handlers Certification training provides information on how to prevent foodborne illnesses by proper handling of food, hygiene and customer service during the 4-H Fair. Provided certification training for seventy one youth and their parents were certified making them eligible to work in the 4-H Food Booth during the 4-H fair. All of the money raised in the food booth goes to the youth as a participation incentive program. Resulting in $1742 in premium funds paid out to the 4-H members. Charging Home Stampede 4-H Fair Preparation and Evaluation through committee meetings (livestock, horse, food booth and exhibit) Promoted and increase ownership of local 4-H Fair by encouraging and providing the opportunity for leadership of youth and adult volunteers to plan and implement the four day fair, auction/buyers barbeque and working ranch horse competition. 25 volunteers met quarterly for Livestock, Exhibit Building, Food Booth, Facility, and working ranch horse committee meetings to plan the 4-H Fair on the Blackfeet Reservation. Because of their volunteerism and commitment fair takes place and provides a safe and pleasant environment for 4-H families and community. 4-H Working Ranch Horse Assessment, Clinic and Competition: Provided a hands on learning clinic, 26 youth learned about horses: anatomy, breeds, feed and nutrition, health, equipment, safety, basic roping skills and moving cattle horseback. 19 of participants competed in the event. 4-H Scholarships: Promoted higher education by fundraising and giving an annual $1000 scholarship to one 4-H member planning to college or vocational school. Plus a local private donor gave $3500.00 in scholarships to three youth entering college and 5 continuing college students. Charging Home Stampede 4-H Youth Fair: Sixty three of the ninety two enrolled 4-H members participated at the local 4-H fair where they had opportunity to exhibit and show what they learned through their project work. These youth prepare all year long, preparing their item or animal to completion then exhibit it at the fair. It's very rewarding to see the fear first, then pride when the completed their project interview or showmanship show. They earned $153,102 from market animal sales and $1750 livestock cash awards. Junior Ag Loan Program-business planning and loan packaging was provided to youth and their parents resulting in an increase in knowledge in goal setting, planning, and financial management and responsibility while they build their own agricultural business. As a result three youth completed the application process and funded to purchase $25,500 in pregnant cattle. Currently working with four youth and waiting approval. Re-organized the Blackfeet Nation Stock Growers Association: the group is working on Beef Marketing Options by working with cattle order buyer to ensure a buyer for their calves, grazing policy, and projects that are addressing predator control issues (Bear, mountain lion, wolves and coyotes) the agent serves as the secretary of the Association. As a result of the efforts of the group, $20,000.00 in funds has been secured for predator control and $4500 for 4-H youth scholarships. Private Pesticide Applicators Certification Training: agent worked cooperatively with MSU Pesticide Educational Coordinator and surrounding county agents to provide a seven hour training opportunity designed to teach about pesticides and qualifying for an applicators license. 35 land owners and producers attended, 30 were certified to spray weeds on their lands, for weed management. Blackfeet Tribal Agriculture Planning and Development: agent works closely with the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council by serving on the Blackfeet Agriculture Committee, organized to plan and implement project ideas that will increase the opportunities for tribal Ag producers on the reservation. Cooperatively provided the Blackfeet Ag Summit for producers and public from both sides of the international border (Canada) and a public event introducing youth and public to Ag, Land and Water. There were 80 individuals in attendance. Developed a Blackfeet Ag Calendar for all events throughout the area to inform all of the happenings and learning opportunities available or deadlines Ag producers need to be aware of. Record keeping for the ranch utilizing the Integrated Resource Management Red Books designed to improving the economic efficiency of cattle operations through effective record keeping. Seventy five producers received the record keeping books with instruction, by using the recordkeeping system, the majoring of the producers were able to access USDA funding to offset losses through USDA programs. Weather disaster planning and implementation for livestock producers: worked with a team to assess the damage of a massive snow storm killing hundreds of cattle and horses by organizing an informational session to increase the knowledge of the programs offered for financial assistance from the USDA through their Livestock Indemnity Program and Emergency Livestock Assistance Programs. These programs have provided financial assistance that will help offset livestock losses as a result of the disastrous snow storms in 2017 and 2018. Annual Farm & Ranch Seminar: provided a one day seminar focusing on current issues in agriculture: Seventy-five producers learned about weather patterns and outlook, weak calf syndrome and cattle nutrition, nitrate toxicity in forages, predator control programs, transition in family farm and ranch operations, how to obtain a pasture authorization and the importance of the USDA Ag Census. Resulting in a better understanding of cattle diseases and nutrition to improve animal health, hay storage and management of forage toxicity before feeding resulting in increased ranch profitability. Blackfeet Agriculture Resource Management Plan Interdisciplinary Team member: met monthly for strategic planning that resulted in the development of the plan for the Blackfeet Nation. The plan that defines current the natural resources and agriculture resources, identify the goals of the Blackfeet People and will aid in the development of policy in agriculture resource, land, conservation, holistic management practices and water resource management, as well as agriculture and livestock regulation for both the Blackfeet Tribe and the United States governments.
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