Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience are Navajo farmers, ranchers and youth who are willing to learn and implement practice of knowledge learned around agriculture disciplines. Extension education is offered in the southwestern, central and northeastern parts of the Nation Nation. The project supports efforts to enhance individual farmers, ranchers and youth to learn new or enhance skills that supports that exisiting agricultural endeavors or operations. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Dine College Land Grant Staff and Student Training participated in several workshops on training such aslivestock handleing, livestock nutrition, livestock first aid, ivestock pregnancy diagnosis,food safety, meat processing, and sheep butchering. Two new Extension Agents were hired in the fall of 2022 and were expose to the workshop and training. Training and workshop were taught by New Mexico State University Extension Specialist. Producer training included - Beef Quality Assurance, Food Safety Certification, and Conservation Planning Development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Each of our workshop and training were share with the commuinity. The nsa.nmsu.edu website continues to share documents, forms, flyers, recording webinars, access to youtube training and workshops recorded sessions, etc. The Land Grant staff conducts most of the workshops in various communitiesChapter Houses (A place where local governance occurs and used as a community center). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Through the extension funding opportunity Dine College has increased extension and outreach services to a larger audience by expanding service area to include western, northern and eastern Navajo. Hiring of two new Extension Agents increased program delivery several areas across the Navajo Nation. More than 48 workshops were conducted through the no cost extension year of the funding. During the COVID 19 pandemic and stay at home order minimal extension services were conducted however in the past year, our services has tripled by numbers, communities served, and staffing. Success of more than 20 farm producers were able to sell or share their product to the community. In year three, many of the farmers who contributed to selling their produce to the Navajo Nation as community food drives during the lock down period became mentors for other farmers to begin producing more locally grown produces that supports local food systems. A secondary goal established by Dine College Land Grant extension services is identify a larger need to support farmers and ranchers infrastructurally. Example, the need for a certified kitchen, walk in refrigeration, produce cleaning station now has increased as producers begin to sell more and more of their product to the local community, in farmers markets and in schools. Through identifying this need, the Dine College receive New Mexico state funding to build the Shiprock Business Center for Horticulture and Tribal Agriculture. The building will have meeting and workshop space, a commercial kitchen, and a walk in refrigeration units. Due to the pandemic, we did not reach the one on one producers work however our program successfully grew evidentially. Our first Conservation Planning training held coming out of the pandemic reached over 45 producers, throughout the year, our livestock first aid workshop grew to be the most popular and held in multiple locations. Each time registration request reached over 90 people and we were able to only accept 60 people to participate and receive their hands-on first aid kits. In total, our Livestock First Aid training reached more than 175 people. Our partnership with New Mexico State University has strengthen and shared teaching and delivery of programs increased. This collaboration includes the development of a shared website, nsa.nmsu.edu was developed to share documents for producers to access, presentation and webinars to view through recorded sessions. NMSU Navajo Sustainable Agriculture Project programs hired several part time technicians that were trained by Dine College Land Grant staff to conduct Conservation Planning Development technical assistance for farmers and ranchers. These are conduct in both group training and one-on-one appointments. The Development of Conservation Plans are critical for a farmer or a rancher to renew, update, transfer a permit or staying in compliance to maintain a land use or grazing permit on the Navajo Nation. Other partners include the Western Navajo Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs to also host producer conservation plans to assist producers maintain compliance and offer training to ranchers to understand range management and livestock management. Supporting the Native American Agricultural Youth Camp was another successful program. Speaker honorarium, insurance for the event and vehicle rental/GSA vehicle usages were examples of camp support. Thirty youth between the ages of 9-18 and five collegiate students participate in a two week long agriculture camp to allow youth to become knowledgeable in agricultural career opportunities and learn techniques that can be shared with their families.
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience are Navajo farmers, ranchers and youth who are interested in the agricultural way of life. The anticipated participantsare usually willing to learn and implement new techniques orpractices learned through the workshop andseminars provided inagriculture disciplines. Extension education is now offered in the southwestern, central, northern, eastern and western regions of the Nation Nation. The project supports efforts to enhance individual farmers, ranchers and youth to learn new or enhance skills that supports that exisiting agricultural endeavors or operations. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Conservation Planning for Farming and Ranching. Cattle Markets Livestock Reproduction Livestock Pregnancy Diagnostic Livestock First Aid Llivestock Herd Health Farm plannning Soil Amendments Farm Calendaring, soil preperation, planting, irrigating, harvesting, and sales (Farmers markets). Wool buys, pick up Record Keeping Schedule FTax Equine Health Ram Lease program to imporve genetics Training of NMSU Technicians to assist producers develop conservation plans. Youth Camps, in person and virtual. Dine Bi Chiyaa Summit (Navajo Food Summit) Food sovereignty events Hoop house construction, how to grow in a hoop house, and planning. School gardens Staff were able to attend Artifical Insemination Workshop for Cattle, Cattle Reproduction Workshops, attend conferences, webinars, and meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Each of th events were conducting in the community free of charge. The events and activities mention in the above professional development were offered in the variuos regions of the Navajo Nation. Invitation to present at local grazing meetings, farm board meetings, chapter meetings, and events. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Navajo Extension Education: Through the extension funding period,Dine College has increased extension and outreach services to a larger audience by expanding service area to include all regions of the Navajo Nation. The funding allowed for increasing staff with hiring two newExtension Agents, with now a total of fourExtension Agents and a Extension Outreach Assistant. Increasing staffing allows forincreaseprogram delivery that spandsacross the Navajo Nation. Annually more than 12 workshop wereconducted as originally anticipated. Sucessfully, the Dine College Land Grant Office has hostednearly 50 workshops annually. During the COVID 19 pandemic the Navajo Nation implemented astay at home order which minimizedface to face and one on oned extension services. We moved many of our workshops to be hosted via webinars using the zoom plateform and had provento be just as successful. We also hosted one on one meeting with producers via zoom to assist them with creating their farm and ranch plans. Annually, more than 20 farm producers were able to sell or share their product to the community, even through the COVID 19 pandemic.In year three, many of the farmers who contributed to selling their produce to the Navajo Nation as community food drives during the lock down period became mentors for other farmers to begin producing more locally grown produces that supports local food systems. We were also able to continue to pick up wool for consignment and ship to Iowa where checks were sent out to the producers. Outcomes: A secondary goal established by Dine College Land Grant extension serviceswasidentifying that the lack of infrastructure wasa huge need to support farmers and ranchers to improve upon their goals.Example, the need for a certified kitchen, walk in refrigeration, produce cleaning station now has increased as producers begin to sell more and more of their product to the local community, in farmers markets and in schools. Through identifying this need, the Dine College receive New Mexico state funding to build the Shiprock Business Center for Horticulture and Tribal Agriculture. The building will have meeting and workshop space, a commercial kitchen, and a walk in refrigeration units. Post COVID 19 stay at home order: Our first Conservation Planning training held coming out of the pandemic reached over 45 producers, throughout the year, our livestock first aid workshop grew to be the most popular and held in multiple locations. Each time registration request reached over 90 people and we were able to only accept 60 people to participate and receive their hands-on first aid kits. In total, our Livestock First Aid training reached more than 175 people. We have improvedour partnership with New Mexico State University and begin to developed shared teaching and delivery of programs.This collaboration includes the development of a shared website, nsa.nmsu.edu was developed to share documents for producers to access, presentation and webinars to view through recorded sessions. NMSU Navajo Sustainable Agriculture Project programs hired several part time technicians that were trained by Dine College Land Grant staff to conduct Conservation Planning Development technical assistance for farmers and ranchers. These are conduct in both group training and one-on-one appointments. The Development of Conservation Plans are critical for a farmer or a rancher to renew, update, transfer a permit or staying in compliance to maintain a land use or grazing permit on the Navajo Nation. Other partners include the Western Navajo Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs to also host producer conservation plans to assist producers maintain compliance and offer training to ranchers to understand range management and livestock management. Youth Agriculture Opportunities: Supporting the Native American Agricultural Youth Camp was another successful program. Speaker honorarium, insurance for the event and vehicle rental/GSA vehicle usages were examples of camp support. Thirty youth between the ages of 9-18 and five collegiate students participate in a two week long agriculture camp to allow youth to become knowledgeable in agricultural career opportunities and learn techniques that can be shared with their families. Developing camps virtual and creating drvie through pick up of camp instructional supplies was also a huge success. Students picked up traditional food recipies, food items, cooking supplies, and were taught to create fourdifferent traditional foods virtually. This certainly was a huge success as we watched the youth open their camers from their computer and watch each work in the kitchen making their dish. The unique part of this, the parents were right along side the youth assisting.
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience are Navajofarmers, ranchers and youth who are willing to learn and implement practices of the knowledge learned around agriculture disciplines. Extension education is offered in the southwestern, central and northeastern parts of the Navajo Nation. The project supports efforts to enhance individual farmers, ranchers and youth to learn new or enhance skills that supports thei exisiting agricultural endeavors or operations. Changes/Problems:Movinginto the no cost extension year, two new Extension Agents were hired to continue to conduct extension education in Northeastern parts of the Navajo Nation. Problems were the restrictions to conduct in person workshops, as the virtual platform did not benefitelderly farmers and rancher due to limeted acces to technology, internet or not being tech savy. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In collaboration with the Navajo Project success and New Mexico State University a total of 29 Webinar/Workshops were held virtually and 2 were held asin person face to face events. . 1/2/22 - The topic of Importance of Cattel Pregnancy Prognosis presented by Marcy Ward of New Mexico State Universitywith 28 live zoom attendees, 175 facebook views, 6 You Tube views. 1/25/22 - Event was the Eastern Agency BIA Conservation plans conducted by Eastern Navajo BIA staff with 44 live zoom attendees, 747 facebook vies, 67 You Tube views. 2/9/22 - The topic of Livestock Deworming was presented by Dr. John Wenzel of NMSU with 30 live zoom attendees, 160 Facebook veiws, and 13 You Tube views 2/16/22 - Topic of Cattle and Sheep Vaccination presented by March Ward of NMSU with 25 live zoom attendees, 154 Facebook views, and 9 You Tube views. 2/22/22 - Topic of Garden Planning and Seed Selection was presented by Carol Palmer of Cpmmunity Outreach Patient Empowerment with 12 live zoom attendees, 147 Facebook views, 13 You Tube views. 3/2/22- Topic of Garden Soil Amendments presented by Darrell Yazzie Jr. of Dine College Land Grant with 12 live zoom attendees, 147 Facebook views, and 13 You Tube views. 3/7/22 - Topic of Livestock Nutrition presented by Craig Gifford of NMSU with 28 live zoom attendees, 301 Facebook views, and 16 You Tube views. 3/16/22 - Topic of Planting Strategies presented by Marisa Thompson with 36 live zoom attendees, 136 Facebook views, and 21 You Tube views. 3/24/22 - Topic of Lambing and Calving Management presented by Marcy Ward of NMSU with 25 live zoom attendees, 273 Facebook views, and 18 You Tube views. 4/7/22 - Topic of Grazing Management presented by Casey Speckman with 18 live zoom attendees, 314 Facebook views and 21 You Tube views. 4/12/22 - Topic of Cattle Supplementation presented by Craig Gifford with 21 live zoom attendees, 134 Facebook views and 17 You Tube views. 4/20/2022 - Topic of Dought Management presented by Casey Speckman with 16 live zoom attendees, 277 Facebook views and 5 You Tube views. 5/2/22 - Topic of Pest Management presented by Sam Smallidge of NMSU with 14 live zoom attendees, 300 Facebook views, and 12 You Tube Views. 5/5/22 - Topic of Dine College Wool Program presented by Benita Litson with 11 live zoom attendees, 349 Facebook views and 14 You Tube views. 5/11/22 - Topic ofIrrigation Methods presented by Kevin Lombard of NMSU with 13 live zoom attendees, 154 Facebook views, and 12 You Tube views. 5/17/22 - Topic of Poultry Management presented by Marcy Ward of NMSU with 12 live zoom attendees, 76 Facebook views, and 15 You Tube views. 5/25/22 - Topic of Farm Food Safety presented by Carol Palmer with COPE with 13 live zoom attendees, 79 Facebook views, and 6 You Tube views. 6/1/22 - Topic of Proper Livestock Handling presented by Benita Litson of Dine College with 11 live zoom attendees, 100 Facebook views, and 4 You Tube views. 6/6/22 - Topic of Noxious Weed Management presented by Leslie Beck with 16 live zoom attendees, 59 Facebook views, and 7 You Tube views. 6/16/22 - Topic of Four Corners Seasonal Outlook Drought Monitoring Webinar 1 of 5 pesented by David Dubois with 38 live zoom attendees, 138 Facebook views, and 9 You Tube views. 6/22/22 - Topic of CMOR-Drought Monitoring presented by Kelly Smith with 32 live zoom attendees, 295 Facebook views, and 14 You Tube views. 6/29/22 - Topic of Livestock Drought Management - Drought Monitoring Series 3 of 5 presented by Casey Spekman with 38 live zoom views, 61 Facebook views and 9 You Tube views. 7/6/22 - Topic of Grass Cast - Drought Monitoring 4 of 5 presented by Julie Elliot with 29 Live zoom attendees, 70 Facebook views, and 7 You Tube views. 7/19/22 - Topic of Farm Service Agency Program - Ag Resource 1 of 3 presented by FSA with 10 live zoom attendees, 119 Facebook views, and 13 You Tube views. 7/25/22 - Topic of NRCS Program - Ag Resource 2 of 3 presented by Richard Montoya with 13 live zoom attendees, 64 Facebook views, and 5 You Tube views. 8/4/22 - Topic Rural Development -Ag Resource 3 of 3 presented by Valorie LaMotte with 9 live zoom attendees, 99 Facebook views, and 7 You Tube views. 8/10/22 - Topic of Conservation Planning held in person by Dine College Land Grant Staff at the Shiprock Dine College Campus. There were a total of 41 attendees. 8/16-17/22 - Topic of Livestock First Aid held in person presented by Dr. John Wenzel of NMSu with 29 attendees. 8/22/22 - Topic of Navajo Nation Climate Change - Drought Monitoring 5 of 5 presented by Keith Howard with 11 live zoom attendees, 40 Facebook views and 24 You Tube views. 8/29/22 - Toice of Easter Agency BIA -Natural Resource presented by Herbert Holgate with 28 live zoom attendees, 47 Facebook views, and 16 You Tube views. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The presentation were held mostly as virtual session through a webinar style platform. Very few in person workshops were also conducted to support on site farmers and ranchers education. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We have requested a No Cost Extension and therefore will continue to offer workshop on the Navajo Nation in various agricultural topics and disciplines. In the late summer of 2022, the COVID lock down restriction on the Navajo Nation were lifted and we can now concentrate on getting several individual projects with producers. This will allow the producers to practice some of the concepts learned.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have conducted well over the anticipated number of workshops throughout the year. With the COVID 19 pandemic and the closure of business operation on campus had limit our abilities to host face to face workshops and trainig for our farmers and ranchers therefore have created on line virtual session thorugh a series of webinars. These events were well recieve and with great attendance. More than 45 workshops were conducted through this extension porject. One - two week long agriculture youth camp was offered July 10 - July 22, 2022 with 25 youth participants learning about various livestock, range and farming practices.
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is the Navajo farmers and ranchers located in the Northern, Eastern, and Western Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation spans across three states making it challenging to travel the distacne to conduct effective extension and outreach efforts. For this purpose, we anticipated that one Extension Agent would be located in Western Navajo and another in Northern Navajo. These Extension Agents will work with at least 8 farmers or ranchers in each region to conduct one-on-one technical assistance. Changes/Problems:Hire additional staffing to support our efforts in the Northern Navajo and Eastern Navajo Region of the Navajo Nation. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The staff and two interns - The following two events were workshops on special topic offered by 1862 Land Grant Universities. Dine College Extension Agent, Darrell Yazzie Jr., was able participate to increase his understanding in specific areas. He is able to use what he has learned into his extension education role. September 8, 2020 - 13th annual Cowmans Reproduction Workshop sponsored by the Univerisity of Arizona Extension. July 19-23, 2021 - 2 staff and 2 students attended the New Mexico State University Beef School held in Corona, NM. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results and programs activities are share with various communitie members as we are requested in attendance. Additionally, te Dine College Land Grant Programs is shared through social media plat forms and shared emails. We also share and record the virtual workshop so they are shared to those who were not in attendance for the events. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Dine College Extension program has conducted many workshop around agriculture programs and topics throughout the Southwest Navajo and through virtual platforms. Several Chapter houses have coordinated activities to be conducted for their local communities to increase understanding of agricultural topics. A total of 14 in person workshops were conducted and a total of 12Virtual workshops were held and 1 two-day Dine Bi Chiyaa Summit was held. The following are dates and topics that were conducted in the project year. September 16, 2020 - Arbor Day Tree transplanting workshop at Kinlichee Chapter House. This event was co-sponsored by Dine College Land Grant and the Kinlichee Chapter. November 12, 2020 - Virtual workshop conducted through Dine College Land Grant educational series. The topic was on Soil Determination and teaching farmers the basic of soil structure and nutrients. November 19, 2020 - Virtual workshop conducted through the Dine College Land Grant educational series. The topic was on Record Keeping for livestock and farming production. December 2 2020- Virtual workshop conducted through the Dine College Land Grant educational series. The topic was on Livestock Artificial Insemination as a breeding program practice. April 3, 2021- Hands on workshop held at the Black Falls Hoophouse / Farm on Soil Amendments and Plant Propagation. This event was co-sponsored with Dine College and Choice Humanitarian. April 8, 2021 - Virtual workshop co-sponsored with Land Grant Office, Choice Humanitarian and Tolani Lake Enterprise. The topic was on Schedule C finance and reporting for tax purposed for farmers. April 17, 2021 - Hands-on workshop on Hoop House Growing best practice held in Tolani Lake. The event was a co-sponsored between Dine College, Tolani Lake Enterprise and Choice Humanitarian. April 22-23, 2021 - Virtual two day Dine Bi Chiyaa Food Summit sponsored by the Dine College Land Grant office. The event had 13 presenters around food production, gardening, traditional foods, and various cooking demonstrations. May 1, 2021 - Hands on workshop at Marilyn's hoophouse in Cameron, AZ. This event was co-sponsored with the Choice Humanitarian. May 14, 2021 - Virtual workshop conducted through the Dine College Land Grant educational series. The topic was on composting. May 20, 2021 - Virtual workshop conducted through the Dine College Land Grant educational series. The topic was on transplanting. May 25, 2022 - Virtual workshop conducted through the Dine College Land Grant educational series. The topic was on Livestock nutrition. June 5, 2021- Hands on workshop on NPK soul testing kit held at Cameron Farms. June 8, 2021 - Virtual workshop on rangeland management held for the 2021 youth camp. June 18, 2021 - Virtual workshop on Landscaping trees/Shrubs best practices with Reagan Wytsalucy of Utah State University. This event was co-sponsored by Utah State University Extension and Dine College. June 30, 2021 - In person raised bed workshop with Chinle Office of Youth Development and Chinle Chapter house. July 1, 2021 - In person Livestock Management workshop with the Indian Wells Chapter summer youth program. July 8, 2021 - Virtual workshop on Soils and irrigation conducted by Land Grant Office Bryan Neztsosie. This was a part of the Land Grant virtual agriculture topic series. July 14, 2021 - In person workshop on Soil Determination and Companion planting at Indian Well Chapter summer youth program. July 15, 2021 - Virtual workshop on Livestock Herd Health Management and proper vaccination technique conducted by Land Grant Office .This was a part of the Land Grant virtual agriculture topic series. July 28, 2021 - Conducted the in person Native Plant and Rangeland Management workshop with Indian Wells Chapter summer youth program. July 29, 2021 - Conducted the in person Cattel Management and Meat Cuts with Indian Wells Chapter summer youth program. August 11, 2021- Conducted the Raised Bed Irrigation hands on workshop - setting up the drip lines with Hubble Trading Post in Ganado, AZ September 2, 2021 Conducted in person Garden Management workshop with Teesto Chapter. September 9, 2021 Conducted in person Harvesting Best Practices workshop with Teesto Chpater. September 23, 2021 - Conducted in person Garden Cleaning and Harvesting event with Teesto Chapter.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As the COVID 19 stay at home order and mandates are being lifted, more and more activities have been requested both as virutal and in person. A total of 27 workshop were held for producers on the Navajo Nation. Additionally, two professional development activities held by our partnering 1862 Land Grant Institution were provided. An increase number of farmer groups to grow together were also as a result of coordiating meetings and access to alternative resources and small funding pool. There are now 7 grower groups in the Southwestern region of the Navajo Nation and 3 Grower Groups in the Northern and Central Navajo.
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Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is Navajo farmers and ranchers located in the Northern, Eastern, and Western Navajo Nation since most of the current extension education is conducted in Central Navajo. The Navajo Nation spreads across three states and the distance to travel to conduct workshops and presentation to either eastern or western parts, it take 2-3 hours one way. This funding opportunity will allow the hire of additional Extension Agents to conduct out reach to western and eastern regions of the Navajo Nation. Eight farmers or rancher will be selected annually to recieve one on one technical assistance to enhance their operation. Changes/Problems:The COVID 19 pandemic has created addtional challenges in offering workshops for Navajo farmers and ranchers. Developing alternative, ways to offer workshop must continue to meet farmers and ranchers need. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Workshop and training opportunities were established for student interns, staff, farmers and ranchers. Additionally, the students and staff were able to present thier projects at the First American Land Grant Consortium annual meeting held in Denver, Colorado. The workshop offering to farmers and ranchers were minimized due to the COVID 19 pandemic, however, working with the Shiprock farmers were conducting via phone, zoom and in person resulting in six farmer complete the food safety training. 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?Hiring of the Shiprock Extension Agent is on top of our list to do in the next reporting period. Continuation of offering workshops to the Northern, Eastern and Western parts of the Navajo Nation.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The development of the Agricultural HUBs is vital to increasing technical services to the greater Navajo Nation. One Extension Agent was hired to work in the western parts of the Navajo Nation and have been successfully offering workshops and training to ranchers and farmers.An Extension Agent for the Northern Navajo region has been a challenge due to housing and the lack of competitive pay. Despite the challenges, Dine College Land grant staff have been conducting workshops in Northern, Eastern and Western parts of the Navajo Nation. In year two, nine farmers participated in opportunities to grow locally grown produce to ensure food safety guidelines are met for the purpose of selling to local schools and the general public. Workshop offered through this reporting period include Sheep Management workshops to two communities in Eastern Navajo, Online weekly food safety training offered through New Mexico State University and the New Mexico Farmer Market Association. Growers met with Central Consolidated school to discuss organizing and planning to grow for the fall 2020 school year. Workshops offered to the Western region include conservation planning, soils health, herd health management, and schedule F tax record keeping. The workshop were held in the community of Leupp, Arizona with 10 - 45 participants. Additionally, participation in the Dine Regenerative Agriculture and the Coalmine farmers project planning meetings were also a highlight. Results of working with small groups are to help them plan and organize. One success story is that the Coalmine farmers received funding from the CARES Act fund given to the tribe to develop their irrigation well and system, currently under construction.
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is Navajo farmers and ranchers located in the Northern, Eastern, and Western Navajo Nation. Currently, the Diné College Land Grant Staff are located in Central Navajo and have to travel up to two hours one way to offer presentation in the Western and Eastern Navajo regions presenting a challenge due to the time. This funding opportunity will allow Dine College to fill Extension Positions in two areas and thereby conducting and hosting workshop in the three regions identified. Alongside, annually it is anticipated to work with eight farmers and rancher and conduct several farm and ranch practices. Changes/Problems:Challenges: The Hiring of both Extension Agents for both Northern/Eastern and the Southwestern Navajo has been difficult. The Extension Agent in Southwestern Navajo was finally completed in December of 2018, therefore setting the project activities back. An Extension Agent for Norther and Eastern Navajo has yet to be filled, however, part time Extension Coordinators were hired to implement much needed work in Eastern and Northern Navajo. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?December 2nd-5th, 2018 New Mexico State University Extension In-Service Training in Los Cruses, NM. January 14th, 2019 Foddering System Workshop at Spirit Farms in Vanderwagon, NM. April 2nd-4th, 2019 41st Annual Range Livestock Workshop & Tour of AZ/UT with the Utah State University and University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Hurricane, UT. April 9th-12th, 2019 Artificial Insemination Training with University of New Mexico in Los Lunas, NM. April 16th, 2019 Tour of N'dee Bikiiyaa (The Peoples Farms) in Canyon Day, AZ. May 15th/16th, 2019 A Hopi and Dine Just Transition conference in Tuba City, AZ. May 28th - June 1st, 2019 Compost Methods Camp at Spirit Farms in Vanderwagon, NM. July 15th, 2019 IDRS (Indian Dispute Resolution Services) Youth Entrepreneur Workshop "Side Hustle" in Cameron, AZ. July 16th/17th, 2019 Beginner Farmers and Ranchers - in Colorado State region. July 31st, 2019 Train-The-Trainer Workshop with Native Seeds Program at Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resource Heritage Program in Window Rock, AZ. August 5th-8th, 2019 University of Arizona Extension conference in Tucson, AZ. August 22nd, 2019 - Water Purification Unit training with University of Arizona in Tsaile, AZ. September 12th-14th, 2019 - Tribal Cooperative Showcase at Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute campus in Albuquerque, NM. September 17th-18th, 2019 - Native Plants Program - Succession Stories Tour in Verde Valley, Cameron, Tuba City and Hopi, AZ. September 27th-28th, 2019 - Regenerative Agriculture Tour in Sanders, AZ and in Pinehill, NM. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results, outcomes and activities are shared with farmers and ranchers in the communities of Southwest, Northern, and Eastern parts of the Navajo Nation. The Dine College Land Grant Office has had a presence in these communities but not consistent. This program will create the opportunity to offer consist programing to these regions. This project and listing of activities is shared with other through social media, community Grazing Permittee meetings, Chapter meetings, and other programs and activities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?It is anticipated the at full time Extension Agent will be hired in Shiprock to deliver programs and activities to the Northern and Eastern parts of the Navajo Nation. In year one, we have done this through temperary Outreach Coordinators hired for the months of July and August of 2019. Additionally, the Shiprock Dine College Demonstration Farm will be utilized as a hands-on teaching space and begin growing produce and forage crops.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Tolani Lake - Southwestern Navajo Agriculture HUB: Sheep Shearing Workshops: A total of three workshops were held throughout the year. The first workshop was held on April 23, 2019 in Tolani Lake, Arizona with a total of 12 participants. The second workshop was held on May 7, 2019 in Teesto, Arizona with a total of 10 participants. The third workshop was held on May 14, 2019 in Kaibeto, Arizona with a total of 26 people. The workshop content include sheep handling, shearing methods with both electric and hand scissors, sorting wool by texture and color, and introducing participants to wool and meat market opportunities. Southwest Native American Environmental Camp: A total of 44 participants were a part of the youth camp. Uniquely we had partnered with the Phoenix Indian Center who was able to bring 15 youth from the Phoenix area to participate in the camp. 28 youth were recruited through an application system. This camp exposed youth to dryland farming operations, drip systems, weed control, water filtration and a greenhouse tour at the Northern Arizona University. Other workshops: Assist the Tolani Lake Enterprise and the Dine College Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Grant project to conduct and implement workshop and activities. The TLE Dine College Extension Agent conducted a part of each training criteria established in the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Grant. Collaborations: A partnership with Dine Regenerative Agriculture Coalition (DRAC) to help conduct workshops. DRAC has been concentrating their efforts to create an economic opportunity for people using a 500 year tradition of raising Sheep/ Lamb. Workshop topics needed and conducted includes Identifying Breeds and characteristics, preparing the land for grazing, plant identification, Identify sheep age and shearing methods. Northern and Eastern Navajo Extension Projects 1) Worked with parents, students and senior citizens constructing five gardens at various locations on State Highway 491, this included 8-4ft x 8ft raised beds, drip irrigation and constructed 4-4ft high elevated tables to hold 210 gal. water storage tanks. Additionally, workshops included Soil Health, Record Keeping which is part of the agreement to have gardens. 2)) Coordinated outreach workshops ranchers and farmers; Livestock Management and Vaccination, Livestock Record Keeping, Rangeland Management and Monitoring and Watershed presentations. The following is a list of Workshop and activities conducted: Soil Health Workshop: Topic covered: What is photosynthesis? Soil Test; N-Nitrogen, P-Phosphorus, K-Potash and pH, how do these soil nutrients help produce grow and the NRCS Soil Health Checklist on various conservation practice methods. 1) May 17, 2019 Twin Lakes Senior Center 30 attended 2) May 22,2019 Chooshgai Community School 18 attended 3) May 13, 2019 Sanostee Day School 22 attended 5) May 31, 2019 Ira Burbank 9 attended Conservation Planning History of Conservation , 13 completed their conservation plans 1) May 28, 2019 Dine' College, Shiprock 18 attended Soil Health, Soil Test, Composting, Seed selection, Planting, Irrigation and Water Conservation 1) May 31, 2019 Ira Burbank 9 attended 2) June 18, 2019 Mexican Spring Senior Citizens 10 attended Crop Record Keeping Topic covered: Description of farm land, daily logs of activities, management records and financial records. 1) June 13, 2019 Twin Lakes Senior Center 30 attended 2) June 10, 2019 Mexican Springs Senior Center 10 attended 3) June 17, 2019 Chooshgai Community School 16 attended 4) June 20, 2019 Sanostee Day School 15 attended Youth Summit/Traditional Gardening Using the methodology of the Navajo Model - Four directions putting that into traditional perspective; planting heirloom seeds, incorporating wellness, prayers, using songs for healthy garden, planting sticks, cosmology vs. western practices such as no till, top soil, organic nutrients; manure, mountain soil, etc. 1) June 25, 2019 Shiprock High School 23 attended-2 Adults/general assembly 300 attended Livestock Management and Vaccinations and Livestock Record Keeping 1) June 25, 2019 Becenti Chapter House 18 attended Livestock Record Keeping Topic covered: Livestock body scoring, recording vaccination, ear tagging, branding and description of calf, sales, financial records 1) June 27, 2019 Nageezi Chapter House 2) June 28, 2019 Manuelito Chapter House Navajo Farmer Rancher Congress Annual Conference Topics covered: Raising Sheep the Navajo Way, Raising Chickens, Beef Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Fruit Canning, Composting Demo., Grazing Laws/LUP Laws, Trespass and Right of Way, Monitoring and Reporting Drought, CoCoRaHS Program-Demonstration, Pollinators, NN Supreme Court from 1970 on Anglo Terms, Field Tour/Wheatfields Water Association, Soil Pit Talk on Soil Descriptions, NFRC Membership Meeting, Youth Ag Camp/Presentations. 1) July 10-13, 2019 Dine' College, Tsaile AZ Food Policy 1) July 16, 2019 Dine' College, Tsaile AZ 13 attended Watershed What is a watershed (meaning)? A healthy watershed needs s 1) July 23, 2019 I Nageezi Chapter House 2) July 24, 2019 I Manuelito Chapter House
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