Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience: Little Big Horn College students enrolling in Agriculture, natural resources, and other related degree programs; the purpose is to train and educate LBHC Students on agriculture knowledge. You are exposing them to various ideas, methodologies, and teaching techniques that could be incorporated into the teaching and learning framework.Local High School Students and cultural and knowledge keepers of the Apsaalooke were included in conversations to develop relationships with community youth and elders and to start bridging the discussions to establish the program's outcomes strategically. Changes/Problems:A significant change to our program is that a new program director has taken over the program's duties and responsibilities, which could delay the transferability of information. New ideas and changes in the goals could impact the timeline of events, such as delays in funding due to the previous award and discrepancies within the funding application. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Little Big Horn College hosted a presentation with the Intertribal Agriculture Council in November 2023, which allowed for resources for LBHC students and the community. The Asynchronous course will enable students to access material independently, giving them the responsibility of learning and inquiry as they please. A horse shoeing clinic provides for the use of creative learning methods and hands-on training and learning. Participants learn to be independentand practice a skill set known from an Apsaalooke elder. Unique Information they cannot gain elsewhere. The Rodeo Queen workshop allowed participants to practice and learn the rodeo queen etiquette, a valuable tool for public speaking and interacting professionally. A cultural advisor shared helpful information on the roles and responsibilities of the Apsaalooke females. They allowed personal development and brought prosperity to the young female leaders of Crow Country. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The conferences and workshops bring together experts and community members to share and discuss various topics; offering an online course for the Agriculture Department allows us to reach a wider audience and share work with a broader community. The Agriculture Director continues to engage with the Apsaalooke community by organizing. Presentations and collaborating with mainstream universities, such as MSU-Bozeman, to reevaluate LBHC's study plan and ensure it aligns with the Agriculture plan of study at MSU. Collaborating with tribal organizations ensures that the information reaches those who can benefit from our programs the most. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Little Big Horn College plans to continue creating an online agriculture course platform. To host more seminars and presentations for the community and utilize evaluations and surveys to target the needs of the Apsaaloke community. This will help Little Big Horn College create a timeline of events so that we are providing the information desperately needed to our students and community. We also plan on hosting cultural speaking seminars to learn from the Apsaalooke elders on the importance of ecology and how the Apsaalooke ways of life are intertwined with the plants, animals, and earth, a holistic approach to teaching and creating a safe space and place for a unique indigenous learning environment.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Little Big Horn College staff and faculty have connected with mainstream colleges to ensure the transferability of credits. The current Ag Director has started teaching courses at Little Big Horn College and continues to make efforts to recruit for the Agriculture Department. He continues to network and bridge LBHC students to resources that benefit the community and students. The courses taught are asynchronous, allowing students to access information on their schedule. The instructor is on campus and is reachable in person should students have questions or inquiries. Recently, Little Big Horn College has purchased farm equipment, and the current director continues to receive training on utilizing the equipment. Little Big Horn College continues to work on a rental agreement and how accessible the equipment is for our community. The agriculture department continues to work with students and the community as a resource and guide, collaborating with other agriculture entities such as the Intertribal Agriculture Council, The Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Big Horn County Extention Programs.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Kirt LaForge is teaching Fall 2023 courses
-Intro to animal science. (3) credit
-MT Range Plants lab. (1) credit
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Our primary target audience is members of the community within the boundaries of the Crow Indian Reservation. We aim to guide the next generation of Crow Tribal members to pursuit a career in agricultre so by targeting the age group of 18-30 we plan our recruitment stratagies to get new students registered into our degree programs. By targeting the community for outreach we set up a course to teach students to maintain their own horses hooves, we aim to find out what the community is most interesting in within agriculture so that we can base our seminars and other workshops etc. on the community interest rather than failing to provide something thatis not of interest to the community. Changes/Problems:PD change from interim director Shaleen Old Coyote to new project director Kirt LaForge hiredin April 2023 now official in Feburary 2024. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In 2023 we attended Falcon conferance in Denver, CO from 10/13/23-10/16/23, along with LBHC extension staff, we also attended the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) conferance in Las Vegas, NV from December 12/11/23-12/15/23. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We had our annual horseshoing seminar and with very high interest we had split it into 2 seperate dates (5/22/23-5/26/23), (8/6/23-8/10/23) to maintain high demand, we use social media to advertise for our course and within the day of posting we get a high volume of calls and emails for information. I believe that social media is the best way to make announcements for our program because most people in this day and age have their cellulardevices with them at all times. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Our degree program is getting stronger with more classes being taught by me but will eventually get stronger as we hire a full time ag instructor. We are gaining traction with our hay prduction project as we trained a few employees to drive the tractor with the swather and baler attatchments, in the coming years as we are ready to begin, as we plan to do contracts with Native land owners within the communityto accept fair splits for their hay crops.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience: Little Big Horn College students majoring in Agriculture, natural resources and other related degree programs. The recruitment of LBHC students, Crow Tribal Members, Non-tribal members and local Ag. community to increase the total amount Agricultural Majors. Changes/Problems:Changes: the previous Program Director, Mr. Shawn Real Bird was released as the Project Director on September 8, 2022. Shaleen Old Coyote resumed responsibilities as the Project Director as of September 8, 2022, until Little Big Horn College advertises and selects a new Project Director. Covid continues to have lingering effects. The pandemic affected traveling, seminars, participation, and presentations to the community. Which created limited to no communication that directly affected the Agriculture program. The interest of the community and students declined since 2020. The rangeland management of LBHC has declined due to no participation and meeting in response to the COVID pandemic. There were no face-to-face meetings and only essential employees on campus. The courses were held online with limits on how many individuals can gather and host meetings. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Informed and requestedthe Ag. students on an Informational Webinar sponsored by American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Zoom meeting held March 9 and March 10, 2022. This was to inform on a student internship program and to be located at USDA Service Centers. 2021 FALCON Conference, virtual/zoom held October 21-22, 2021. 4 Ag. students and a the Ag. Program Director. Range Livestock Production Class, weekly/every Wednesday, 5-8pm. January 5, 2022 to April 29, 2022 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?There seems to be a steady and slow interest among the community in Agriculture Opportunities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Increase outreach, increase networks, host various agricultural seminars, and remind our Apsaalooke of the importance of the four elements, land, water, wind, and fire. Invite guest speakers to our campus. Obtain more information regarding USDA, NIFA, and NAAF and share the success stories of indigenous communities and their positive influence on others. Create a resource HUB here at LBHC for those who have questions regarding anything with Agriculture.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The mission and duty LBHC Ag. Department is to support and strengthen the Agriculture Degree option: Rangeland Ecology & Management; and Livestock Management & Industry. Currently teaching a 3 credit class, Range Livestock Production from January 5, 2022 to April 29, 2022. Teaching material: Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle, 14 chapters. Required coarse- summary of each chapter, mid-term take home test and a final. This is one of the class requirements of this agriculture degree. Improvements, change and update the Ag. Students as follows: A. Advising on general education requirements and providing the Sample Plan of Study of the agriculture degree, in addition providing information on scholarships and internships.B.Increasing the success rate of LBHC Ag. students in their classes, graduation rates, and transfer rates. Data: 6 students enrolled past fall semester 2021, 2 transferred to Montana State University, 3 students enrolled for this winter/spring semester 2021.C.Little Big Horn College graduation is May 6, 2022 at 10:00 AM Graduating 2 in Associate of Science Degree in Agriculture: Livestock Management & Industry D.Meeting with Ag. Students on a weekly and in ag. class. I am communicating by email and calling direct during this pandemic times. I initiated, outreach and contact for positive impact for ag. students and their academic success. 3. Class instruction on the cattle industry and education Ag. students in real-estate trust property: A. Trust land ownership, Allotment property, Title Status Reports (TSR), IIM Accounts, Tribal Trust, Fee Simple, Trust Leasing Contracts, Real-estate Trust Mortgage, Trust Land Descriptions, Crow Land Use Bill, Heirship Issues and National Indian Probate Law. 4. Development and implementation of curriculum for LBHC Associate of Business degree option for Agriculture Farm and Ranch Management. The classes that are being taught in this area are Ag. Econ. and Ag. Acct. LBHC has purchased a John Deer Baler and will be training Ag. students on proper usage and maintenance. A class will be held in the future for this Ag. equipment. Community members, public and LBHC students will be attending seminar and training. The first seminar will be May 11th and 12th, 2022 at LBHC.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Teaching Ag. class from 1/5/2022 to 4/29/2022 3 credits
Seminar May 11 and 12, 2022. Location LBHC Ag. Programs and services plus partnering with InterTribal Ag. Council.
August 2022, held a Ferrier clinic with 14 community members, 5 women and 10 men enrolled. The clinic was 4 days long.
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:FY-2021 Target Audience: Little Big Horn College students majoring in agriculture, natural resoures and other agriculture related degree programs. The recruitment of LBHC students, Crow Tribal Members, Non-tribal members and local Ag. community to increase the total amount Agriculture Majors. Changes/Problems:Changes: The previous Program Director, Ms. Velma Pickett resigned on August 28, 2020. Little Big Horn College made a public announcement for vacancy and had interviews with candidates of this position of Agricultural Coordinator. I was selected and began to work in this position on September 1, 2020. Problems: The COVID-19 pandemic is extremely difficult for students and staff here at Little Big Horn College. The fall semester of 2020 here at LBHC implemented a policy of virtual and on-line learning. The spring semester of 2021 and summer semester 2021 LBHC implemented a highbred policy where labs class in Science can be on location and limited participation in class learning, in addition to virtual/on-line learning. This a reason for an over-all decline in graduation rates here at LBHC for FY-2021. The Range Management Club was also effected by the policy of "No public meetings". Many ag. seminars, workshops and training were cancelled due the pandemic What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Equity program funded the 2021 FALCON VirtualConference held October 21-22, 2021. PD and 4 students attended.? How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Informed and presented Little Big Horn College Employee Orientationat the Black Canyon Cabins, August 4th and 5th, 2021 Presented to Speaker and Secretary ofthe Crow Legislature on the Ag. programs of LBHC. Updated and communicated to the USDA Service Center,Intertribal Ag. Council and Rocky Mountian Tribal Leaders Council What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Re-developa proposal for a Crow Land Tenure course and to recieve approvalfrom the LBHC academic council. Increase communication with ag. stakeholders & LBHC students, for the purpose of feedback and development.?
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The main objective & primary focus is the agriculture curriculum and the associate's program for this degree. Continued support and strengthen Agriculture Degree option: Rangeland Ecology & Management; and Livestock Management & Industry. Maintain the development and implementation of curriculum for LBHC Associate of Business degree option for Agriculture Farm and Ranch Management. Improvements, change and update the Ag. Students advising and resource tools to increase the success rate of LBHC Ag. students in their classes, graduation rates, and transfer rates. Utilized web based communication tools and creating new information/materials in an effort to outreach and ag. advise students. Media/web based applications for communication during this pandemic times. Initiated to reach, enhance and upgrade a positive impact for ag. students and their academic success. Developing the Ag. Degree option by replacing the Chemistry 121 & 122 requirements with Chemistry 141 and the Lab 142. This course is a prerequisite to majority of four year institutions. This would provide the students with the opportunity to complete the introductory course her at LBHC. Upgrading the Chemistry class will also benefit other LBHC degree options. Establishing a Crow Lan Tenure course as core requirement for LBHC, by continuing with the "Strategic Land Planning Curriculum". Re-establish the Crow Land Tenure course to assist students in comprehending Federal Indian Law and Policy. The goal is to educate and inform on trust property on Crow Indian reservation: Trust land ownership, Allotment property, Title Status Reports (TSR), IIM Accounts, Tribal Trust, Fee Simple, Trust Leasing Contracts, Real-estate Trust Mortgage, Trust Land Descriptions, Crow Land Use Bill, Heirship Issues and National Indian Probate Law.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Primary target audience has been Little Big Horn College students majoring in agriculture, natural resources, or an agriculture related degree program; however, all LBHC students are welcome. Crow Tribal community members, and non-tribal members of the local agriculture community are also a primary target audience. Changes/Problems:Agriculture student graduation rate experienced a slight decline for FY2019. With the onset of COVID-19 at the end of 2020 Spring Semester, and the cancellation of on-site instruction, student success was ultimately impacted by the disruption as several students experienced difficultycompleting the semester.Student participation wasimproved since theRangeland Management Club becameactive for FY2019, but was shortlived with the onset of COVID-19. Community outreach via the social media platform has increased. The development of a Crow Land Information Resource Center has been very challenging considering this information is presently not accessible to the public. Crow land use laws will need to change in order to provide the accessibility that is needed to accomplish this goal. With the onset of COVID-19, several workshops and the stakeholders meeting had to be cancelled because of stay-at-home orders initiated by the local tribal government. Summer research was also very limited due to COVID-19 and social distancing. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?With support off Equity funding the PD was able to attend the 2019 FALCON Conference in Denver, CO, in October 2019. The PD was also able to the attend the 2020 Society for Range Management Technical Training in Denver, CO, in February 2020. With the support of Equity funding, 6 LBHC students had their registration costs covered for the 2020 Society of Range Managment Technical Training in Denver, CO. 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?Develop a proposal for a Crow Land Tenure course to the LBHC academic council for approval. Increase communication with agriculture stakeholders and LBHC students, for the purpose of feedback and development of a Crow Land Tenure Course at LBHC.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Agriculture Equity Program at LBHC, inpartnership with the Society of Range Management,has provided students majoring in agriculture or natural resources,the opportunity to check out laptopsto help with their studies while at LBHC. This is has been an improvement for student success, and their accessibility to academic resources, classroom work, and communications with their advisers and faculty. The Agriculture Equity Program has also become better accustomed to the online student advising tool--cloudram-- which has been a significant improvement for communication between advisers and students at LBHC. Additionally, with the cloudram software, LBHC faculty, has been able to provide several courses online for the agriculture degree program. A tribal local working group meeting and a pesticide workshop have provided information for local farmers and ranchers to help with their operations.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience has been Little Big Horn College students majoring in agriculture, or, an agriculture related degree program. Increased outreach efforts have been made to help address retention for students, and also recruitment of new students, or returning students. The advancement of technology provides several outlets, such as email, text, messenger, and group chats,and a variety of social platforms to reach out to and communicate with students. Crow Tribal community members, who participate in agriculture related workshops, are also a primary audience. Changes/Problems:Student enrollment experienced a slight decline for FY 2018, and community involvement has been influenced by recent economical opportunities, presented by Indian land case laws. Lower student participation has resulted in decreased student eligibility to participate in travel, and clubs. An on-going challenge has been interpreting land laws, specific to the Crow Tribe, since they are a major factor when participating in the agriculture industry on the reservation. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?With the support of Equity funding the PD was able to attend the 2018 FALCON Conference in Minneapolis, MN. 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?Increaseresearch and communication with community agriculture stakeholders, and students, for the purpose of developing a Crow Land Tenure course at LBHC, and also a Crow web based land information center for the public.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Improvements for student advising have been made through new software accessibility that has provided better access to online advising tools, making it easier to communicate with Agriculture majors. Creating a facebook page for the Ag Equity program at LBHC has also helped to reach students and the community, considering this platform is highly utilized by most of the population in the area. Also the Agriculture Degree brochure at LBHC has been updated. The new look of the brochure has received positive feedback and interest from staff, faculty, and students. A major accomplishment for FY 2018has been the addition of Chemistry 141 and 142 to the LBHC catalog. The addition of this course would provide all students with the opportunity to complete the introductory course at LBHC. (Goal accomplished.) A crop production basics workshop and a range land management workshop have addressed the growing community interest for developing lands for farming purposes. The PD and agriculture stakeholders have met regularly throughout FY 2018 to come up with core themes for developing a Crow Land Tenure course at Little Big Horn College.
Publications
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