Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The principal target audience for this project consists of 1) individuals and groups within Native American communities and Tribes concerned with sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in New Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., and 2) Native American students at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute with academic and career interests in sustainable agriculture. Changes/Problems:Continued delays in actions by the SIPI bureaucracy to fill the SIPI Extension DIrector position and other Extension program staff positions. 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?During the final year fo the project, the primay goals are to 1) fill the Extension Director position and support staff positionsin accordance with the original project proposal, 2) further develop the capacity of the SIPI Environmental Monitoring Station to support Extension training in precision agriculture, and 3) expand collaboration with the SIPI Culinary Program for supporting new and innovative activities that serve tribal communities in the area of food and nutrition.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The principal accomplishments in this performance period were in support of Objective 2. Specifially, new technological resources were developed through the Extension project contributions to establishment of the new SIPI Environmental Monitoring Station (EMS). The EMS and associated research-grade weather station enables curriculum development, education and training in sensor technology and data analysis for precision agriculture.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The principal target audience for this project consists of 1) individuals and groups within Native American communities and Tribes concerned with sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in New Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., and 2) Native American students at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute with academic and career interests in sustainable agriculture and relevant STEM disciplines, including Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Geospatial Information Technology, and Pre-Engineering. Changes/Problems:Activities planned in support of Objective 1 were impeded by unanticipated delays and challenges in fulfilling the original project staffing plans. Specifically, the creation and recruitment of the Extension Director and Support Staff positions as detailed in the original project proposal could not be realized until June, 2023. Nevertheless, the available, supporting project staff consisting of SIPI Instructors and student interns, made signicant accomplishments and have set the stage for rapid progress and new achievements in Agricultural Extension. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A 1-week immersive student training opportunity ("2019 Natural Resources Discovery Camp") was developed, planned and implemented at the Mescalero Apache Reservation in south-central New Mexico in colllaboration with the USDA Forest Service and other partner organizations. This NIFA Extension grant provided critical funding and support for the development and planning phases of the project. The project supported professional development for two SIPI faculty members through participation in the First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON) Workshop and Conference in Aurora, Colorado on October 25-28, 2019. SIPI Participants were Dennis Dye (Geospatial Information Technology Program and Extension grant Project Director) and Angeline Sells (Natural Resources Management Program). The SIPI Extension project was integral in facilitating establishment of a new Environmental Monitoring Station (EMS) at the SIPI Agricultural field, including specialized equipment and instrumentation.. The EMS includes a research-grade weather station to support education and training in precision agriculture. SIPI student interns from Pre-Engineering, Geospatial Information Technology and other STEM programs engaged in experiential learning activities that supported the development and installation of the EMS. Examples of student projects include design and manufacturing of specialized components for a solar energy power system, and deployment of weather sensors and instrument tower, Additional student intern projects supported development a robotic gardening system, or "FarmBot" for community demonstration of advanced agricultural technology.Specific activities involved development of a solar-powered water pump, a raised-bed garden, and a structural framework for a solar energy system to power the FarmBot. Additional training was provided to Native American students from Tribal Colleges and Universitiesacross the country through two annual webinar series in partnership with the US Geological Survey. Each year's series of 4-6 weekly webinars shared information about career opportunitiesin Earth System Science at USGS, and exposed students to rewarding educational and career pathways that they may not otherwise be aware of. Additional benefits included enhanced dialogue between SIPI faculty and USGS researchers, which led to the development of an MOU to facilitate additional, mutually beneficial collaborations. The SIPI Extension Program was integral in the design and implementation of intensive, 1-week courses in Geospatial Information Technology for Tribal government employees and community members on a non-credit basis for professional development and continuing education.. In years 2018, 2019, and 2022, up to 7 weekly courses were offered during the summer trimester with substantial enrollment. This summer training program has been successful in supporting the training needs of Tribal professionals and community members seeking to enhance their skills for career advancement. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The 2019 Natural Resources Discovery Camp was conducted as planned with participation of more than 30 Native American students from SIPI and Mescalero Apache high schools. Extensive information information was disseminated during the 1-week activity regarding geospatial information technology, field methods, and career opportunities and educational tracks in Forestry and Natural Resources Management. The two annual SIPI-USGS Science Webinar Series disseminated information to Native American students from TCUs across the country about job types and career opportunitiesin Earth System Science at USGS. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Progress toward Objective 2, specifically the development and dissemination of "scientific and culturally relevant informationand resources", was achieved through development, planning and implementation of the 2019 Natural Resources Discovery Camp at the Mescalero Apache Reservation. This outreach activity, in partnership with the US Forest Service, provided a unique and intensive educational experience regarding geospatial technologies, field methods for forest science, and career opportunities in Foresty and Natural Resources Management. Additional project accomplishments during the performance period were constrained by meeting and travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and unanticipated bureaucratic challenges to filling Extension Program staff positions at SIPI.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The principal target audience for this project consists of 1) individuals and groups within Native American communities and Tribes concerned with sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in New Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., and 2) Native American students at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute with academic and career interests in sustainable agriculture. Changes/Problems:Continued delays in actions by the SIPI bureaucracy to fill the SIPI Extension DIrector position and other Extension program staff positions. This situation created significant impediments for progress in achiving the project goals during the performance period, although they were substantially overcome by dedicated efforts of SIPI academic faculty members associated with this project. 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?Objectives during the subsequent year of the performance period are: 1) complete staffing of the SIPI Extension program, including the Extension Director position 2) build new collaboration with the SIPI Culinary program leading to new capacity for outeach to Tribal communities in food and nutrition. 3) contribute to establishing a technological foundation at SIPI for Precision Agriculture and effective utilization of the SIPI agricultural field for Extension-related research, education and training.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The mission is to honor the agricultural traditions and culture of Native people and champion expansion of Native agriculture in order to strengthen Tribal communities and their economies. The goal is to advance Native American communities' abilities to develop sustainable agricultural systems, with two objectives: Objective 1: Determine the quality of life in Native American communities by implementing a systematic needs assessment in order to identify resources and partnerships that will advance sustainable agriculture. Objective 2: Develop and disseminate scientific and culturally relevant information and resources that advance the production of Native American goods and services, while protecting the environment and strengthening families and communities.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The principal target audience for this project consists of 1) individuals and groups within Native American communities and Tribes concerned with sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in New Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., and 2) Native American students at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute with academic and career interests in sustainable agriculture. Changes/Problems:Creation and recruitment of projectpositions at SIPI (Extension Director, Support Staff) has faced ongoing delays attributable to apparent impediments within the Bureau of Indian Education's and/or SIPI'shiring policies, priorities and processes. We continue to work toward overcoming these challenges such that we have project-dedicated staff in place during FY 2022. 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?As SIPI transitions out of COVID-19 restrictions on operations, we planfor significant accomplishments under Obectives 1 and 2 in the FY 2021-2022project period. These will be pursued through 1) completion of the SIPI recruitment process for the Extension Director and Support Staff positions who will lead the project activities specified in the original project proposal, and 2) active implementation of the Technology for Precision Agriculture (TPA) activity. The TPA activity was initiated under a$50,000 grant supplement in 2020. The principal objective is establishment and operation of a SIPI demonstration site for education and training on applications of real-time monitoring systems for crop cultivation and irrigation in both field and greenhouse settings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Activities planned in support of Objective 1 continued in suspensionuntil completion of project staffing plans, specifically creation and recruitment of the Extension Director and Support Staff positions as detailed in the original project proposal andbudget plan. Activities in support of Objective 2 concerning development and dissemination of scientific and culturally relevant information were likewise suspended, as a result of meeting and travel restrictions imposed by BIE-SIPI in continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:Creation and recruitment of the required positions at SIPI (Extension Director, Support Staff) has faced continued delays attributable to impediments within the Bureau of Indian Education's hiring policies and processes. The process is underwayand is expected to be completed in FY 2021. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project supported professional development for twoSIPI faculty members through participation in the First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON) Workshop and Conference in Aurora, Colorado on October 25-28, 2019. SIPI Participants were Dennis Dye (Geospatial Information Technology Program and Extension grant Project Director) and Angeline Sells (Natural Resources Management Program). 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?We are planning for significant accomplishments under Obectives 1 and 2 in the FY 2021 project year. These will be achieved through 1) completion of the recruitment process for the Extension Director and Support Staff positions who will lead the project activities specified in the original project proposal, and 2) a new project activity to be initiated in FY 2021 on Technology for Precision Agriculture (TPA). The TPA activity will be supported by the $50,000 grant supplement. The principal objective isestablishment and operationof a SIPI demonstration site for education and training on applications of real-time monitoring systems for crop cultivation andirrigation in both field and greenhouse settings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Activities planned in support of Objective 1 were temporarily postponed until completion of project staffing plans, specifically creation and recruitment of the Extension Director and Support Staff positions as detailed in the original project proposal and budget plan. Activities in support of Objective 2 concerning development and dissemination ofscientific and culturally relevant informationwere to be conducted through the2020Natural Resources Discovery Camp (co-sponsored by the US Forest Service). As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Discovery Camp was rescheduled for 2021.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Tribal students enrolled at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and two Mescalero Apache high schools (Mescalero and Tularosa). Changes/Problems:The creation and recruitment of the required term positions at SIPI has confronted unanticipated delays within the Bureau of Indian Education's hiring process. The process remains underway and is expected to be successfully completed early in performance period 2. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A 1-week immersive student training opportunity ("2019 Natural Resources Discovery Camp") was developed, planned and implemented at the Mescalero Apache Reservation in south-central New Mexico in colllaboration with the USDA Forest Service and other partner organizations. This NIFA Extension grant provided critical funding and support for the development and planning phases of the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The 2019 Natural Resources Discovery Camp was conducted as planned with participation of more than 30 Native American students from SIPI and Mescalero Apache high schools. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Additional, substantial progress toward Objectives 1 and 2 is planned during performance period 2 (2019-2020) through dedicated efforts of the project staff members whose positions and recruitment remain in process at the time of this report.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Activities planned in support of Objective 1 were temporarily postponed until completion of project staffing plans. Progress toward Objective 2, specifically the development and dissemination of" scientific and culturally relevant information and resources", was achieved through development, planning and implementation of the 2019 Natural Resources Discovery Camp at the Mescalero Apache Reservation.
Publications
|
|