Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, the target audience reached included community members in the Nome Census Area - and Tribal Members in the Bering Strait Region. During the agriculture season, our program engaged with community members through an onsite workshop, produce stands, and vegetable distribution activities. Changes/Problems:The only challenge for this final reporting period was finding additional village stores to distribute produce to. While we increased our overall produce yield from last year, we did not have enough vegetables to distrbute beyond the two produce markets and one village store delivery. As our program develops each year, we will continue to work on ways to increase our production and to offer produce to even more village locations. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided training opportunities for local residents around gardening basics, fresh food harvesting, and preparation. We were also able to work with our local summer youth worker program, to offer garden work opportunities to over 12 different young people, between the ages of 14 and 20. For our staff at Kawerak, the opportunity to partner with our regional health corporation on workshop coordination allowed a chance for professional development opportunities. Also, the chance to attend the annual Project Director meeting with USDA NIFA was especially beneficial for our organization, as we developed a variety of good connections from that event and learned a lot from other grantees. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?At the conclusion of this reporting period, the results of this project were reported to the Unaatuq Board of Directors, which includes Kawerak, Inc., Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, Mary's Igloo Native Corporation, Sitnasuak Native Corporation, Bering Straits Native Corporation, Council Native Corporation, and White Mountain Native Corporation. Also, farming progress has been shared via our social media networks to communities of interest, and pop-up produce markets were advertised throughout social media and regional email list serve and announcement networks. Also, the results of this project will be shared in our 2024 year-end newsletter and delivered to all 20 Tribal Communities in the Bering Strait Region, as well as our regional and statewide partners. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During this last and final reporting period, a final onsite workshop was held at Pilgrim Hot Springs which focused on healthy food harvesting and preparation. We increased our food production by over 5% from the previous year, harvesting almost 400 lbs. of fresh vegetables and distributing those vegetables out to the communities. This season, produce was delivered to the Native Village of Teller, adding another village location to our distribution sites. We also sold vegetables at two produce stands in Nome, and donated any remaining vegetable items to local community centers. In conclusion, all of our program goals have been accomplished.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:During our project period from 9/1/21-8/31/24, our fresh produce planted and harvested was distributed to residents in the Bering Strait Region. Specifically, to the communities of Nome, Teller and Golovin. The two workshops hosted during the project were offered to any and all residents of the Bering Strait Region, but targeted towards participants in the Norton Sound Health Corporation CAMP Wellness programs, or those patients with chronic illness or diabetes, who are receiving training to adjust their diets to improve their health. The workshops were focused on gardening and food production basics, home composting techniques, healthy food harvesting and healthy food preparation. In 2024, we also include a workshop focused on the harvesting of natural fungi in our region, which health benefits can be combined with cultivated fresh food benefits. Our target audience for the entire project period was the people of the Bering Strait Region, where the population of roughly 10,000 people live a mainly subsistence lifestyle, supplemented by store bought foods and delivered goods. Over 75% of the people of our region are Alaska Native, of the Inupiaq, Yup'ik, and St. Lawrence Island Yupik cultures. According to 2020 census data, the Bering Strait Region has a poverty level of 21.5%, which is twice the national average of 10.5%. When you look closer at our region's villages, it is clear to see the high level of unemployment and poverty that persists in our remote communities. Nome is the hub city of our region, and therefore has the highest per capita income, which can skew the overall statistics for our region. For example, in the village of Teller, the median household income is $27,500 and the poverty level is 36.3%. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided training opportunities for local residents around gardening basics, fresh food harvesting, and preparation. We were also able to work with our local summer youth worker program, to offer garden work opportunities to over 12 different young people, between the ages of 14 and 20. For our staff at Kawerak, the opportunity to partner with our regional health corporation on workshop coordination allowed a chance for professional development opportunities. Also, the chance to attend the annual Project Director meeting with USDA NIFA was especially beneficial for our organization, as we developed a variety of good connections from that event and learned a lot from other grantees. Our Project Director was also able to present during one of the USDA NIFA Technical Assistance webinars to offer insight to new NIFA applications for the Community Food Projects program. Because of our participation in this grant program, we have now leveraged other resources in our organization to be able to hire a full-time Sustainability Coordinator, and a full-time Agriculture Manager. We are confident that we will continue to be able to expand our seasonal and full-time staff at Kawerak to support our agriculture efforts and continue to increase the food security of the Bering Strait Region for underserved, Tribal communities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?At the conclusion of this reporting period, the results of this project were reported to the Unaatuq Board of Directors, which includes Kawerak, Inc., Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, Mary's Igloo Native Corporation, Sitnasuak Native Corporation, Bering Straits Native Corporation, Council Native Corporation, and White Mountain Native Corporation. Presentations were held for the Unaatuq Board of Directors, and the Kawerak Board of Directors, specifically. Also, farming progress has been shared via our social media networks to communities of interest, and pop-up produce markets were advertised throughout social media and regional email list serve and announcement networks. At the conclustion of the report, the results of this project will be shared in our 2024 year-end program newsletter and delivered to all 20 Tribal Communities in the Bering Strait Region, as well as our regional and statewide partners. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During this final reporting period, a final onsite workshop was held at Pilgrim Hot Springs which focused on healthy food harvesting and preparation. In the previous year, we held a workshop focused on gardening basics, and home composting techniques for residents of the region. In 2024, we increased our food production by over 5% from the previous year, harvesting almost 400 lbs. of fresh vegetables and distributing those vegetables out to the communities. This season, produce was delivered to the Native Village of Teller, adding another village location to our distribution sites. We also sold vegetables at two produce stands in Nome, and donated any remaining vegetable items to local community centers. In conclusion, all of our program goals have been accomplished.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, our fresh produce planted and harvested was distributed to residents in the Bering Strait Region. Specifically, to the communities of Nome and Teller. (Golovin was also included, but this did not occur until September 2023, so therefore will be included in the next reporting period). The workshop hosted was offered to any and all residents of the Bering Strait Region, but targeted towards participants in the Norton Sound Health Corporation CAMP Wellness programs, or those patients with chronic illness or diabetes, who are receiving training to adjust their diets to improve their health. Our target audience is people of the Bering Strait Region, where the population of roughly 10,000 people live a mainly subsistence lifestyle, supplemented by store bought foods and delivered goods. Over 75% of the people of our region are Alaska Native, of the Inupiaq, Yup'ik, and St. Lawrence Island Yupik cultures. According to 2020 censusdata, the Bering Strait Region has a poverty level of 21.5%, which is twice the national average of 10.5%. When you look closer at our region's villages, it is clear to see the high level of unemployment and poverty that persists in our remote communities. Nome is the hub city of our region, and therefore has the highest per capita income, which can skew the overall statistics for our region. For example, in the village of Teller, the median household income is $27,500 and the poverty level is 36.3%. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The "Gardening Basics" workshop provided opportunities for training local community members about home gardening and growing healthy foods. This workshop also presented an opporunity for professional development, as the workshop was run by seasonal interns, who are developing new professional skills (curriculum, marketing materials, course instruction, public speaking). During this summer growing season, we were able to partner with the local school district and Arctic Access nonprofit to host four summer youth workers, two days per week, to work in our gardens. The youth workers were paid by the Arctic Access program, and worked with our staff to weed vegetable fields, plant additional crops, water the fields, and help with final harvesting time. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During this project period, our Kawerak staff have communicated relevant workshops, gardening activities, harvesting times, and produce distribution with the community via social media, presentations, community forums, list-serves, and in-person opportunities at produce markets. We share updates about our progress in the garden via social media, and also will share an annual "newsletter" to our stakeholders in winter 2023. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Goal 1: During the next reporting period, we will continue to grow our food production on site at Pilgrim Hot Springs. With additional funding from a state and private grant opportunity, we will be able to purchase additional planting equipment to increase our root vegetable production. The tractor purchased by this USDA NIFA grant has been instrumental in helping us prepare the ground and sow fields. It is our hope to surpass 1000 pounds of produce harvested next season. Goal 2: We were able to distribute to three communities during the 2023 agriculture season, and plan to add five additional village stores to our list by next summer. We are working directly with privately-owned stores, or Alaska Native Corporation owned stores, so that stores are able to set affordable prices for their customers and also offer SNAP and WIC benefits to customers. Goal 3: Next year, we will be hosting a workshop focused on "healthy food preparation," which will enourage the use of fresh produce with traditional foods. For example, it is common to pair reindeer or caribou stew meats with cultivated vegetables such as carrots, onions and potatoes, and all of these vegetables we are growing in our gardens. Ideally, we will provide simple cooking methods with simple tools that can be successful for the majority of residents in our region.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
From September 1, 2022 until August 31, 2023, the following has been accomplished: Goal 1: Increase production of healthy, fresh vegetables on site at Pilgrim Hot Springs. During the off-season of 2022-2023, our staff evaluated the produce harvest from 2022 and determined methods to increase vegetable production for the upcoming season. We ordered new organic seed varieties, organic fertilzier and soil amendment options, and additional equipment for maintaining the fields. In 2022, we produced over 250 pounds of vegetables, and in 2023, we producedover 560 pounds of vegetables, which is more that double last year's production. Goal 2: Grow fresh produce at Pilgrim Hot Springs and distribute to regional villages. This 2023 agriculture season, Kawerak was able to grow over 560 pounds of fresh produce at Pilgrim Hot Springs. During the reporting period, we were able to distribute to two village locations (Nome Produce Market and Berry Festival, Teller Native Store), and in the next reporting period we will also show a third store distribution (Golovin Bay Trading store distribution in September 2023). During each produce market, we sold out of 100% of our vegetables, and 99% of all vegetables harvested were boxed up for sale to Teller and Golovin native stores. A small amount of produce was cleaned and processed by staff and made into a fresh "vegetable pizza" to be served to our regional Tribal Presidents during the annual Kawerak Board of Directors meeting. Everyone is very excited about such fresh vegetables, and a future where these vegetables are available at every village store in the region. Goal 3: Provide educational opportunities for low-income residents that encourage local food production, buying locally grown vegetables, teaching gardening basics, and sharing methods for healthy food preparation and consumption. In this reporting period, Kawerak partnered with Norton Sound Health Corporation to host a "Gardening Basics" workshop on site at Pilgrim Hot Springs. Approximately 10 participants from the community attended the workshop, which covered topics such as soil basics, seed starting, crop varieties, and home composting. Participants were encouraged to try their own composting methods at home to create health soils for their home gardents. Next year, we will host a workshop focused on healthy food preparation.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Presentation to Unaatuq, LLC Board of Directors
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Presentation at Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Gardening Basics Workshop at Pilgrim Hot Springs
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:During this first reporting period, our efforts were focused on procuring equipment and increasing agricultural production at the Pilgrim Hot Springs property. The fresh produce planted and harvested at the site was distributed to residents in the Nome area. In years two and three we will focus on providing two workshops to our target audience. We will also increase outreach and communication to residents across the region. Our target audience is people of the Bering Strait Region of northwestern Alaska where thepopulation of roughly 10,000 people live a mainly subsistence lifestyle, supplemented by storebought foods and delivered goods. Of the 10,000 residents in our region, over 75% are AlaskaNative, representing the Inupiaq, Yup'ik, and St. Lawrence Island Yupik cultures. According tothe most recent census data, the Bering Strait Region has a poverty level of 21.5%, which istwice the national average of 10.5%. In the Nome Census Area, the median household income is$58,987, falling short of the national median household income rate of $62,843. When you lookcloser at our region's villages, it is clear to see the high level of unemployment and poverty thatpersists in our remote communities. Nome is the hub city of our region, and therefore has thehighest per capita income, which can skew the overall statistics for our region. However, theregion's outlying villages represent a majority of residents and the per capita income is muchlower. For example, in the nearby village of Teller, the median household income is just $27,500and the poverty level is at 36.3%. Changes/Problems:Nothingmajorhaschangedinourcurrentgoalsandprojectperiod.Kawerak isontracktoprogressfornextyear'sactivities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Kawerak has stayed in contact with our communities during this project through socialmedia,communitypresentations,communityforums, andin-personproducemarket. We share updated about our ongoing projects at Pilgrim Hot Springs, our fresh produce harvests, and when to expect our pop-up produce markets. In January of 2022, we held a "Pilgrim Produce Community Forum" and asked regional residents about their goals and expectations for produce grown at Pilgrim Hot Springs. There was overwhelming support for our efforts and people in the region seem very excited about fresh, locally grown veggies. In year two, we plan to begin a newsletter outreach program to all communities in the region with updates about our program. This newsletter will share information about our seasonal activities, share nutritional information about the food we are growing, and also share new recipes and cooking tips for using fresh produce. While we will maintain a strong online and social media presence throughout this project, we also understand the importance of providing direct-mail outreach to our communities, who do not have the best internet or communication resources. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Goal 1: Increase production of healthy, fresh vegetables on site at Pilgrim Hot SpringsDuring the next reporting period, Kawerak's agricultural staff will work to expand the growing area on site at Pilgrim Hot Springs. Using our new tractor, we have been able to prepare two additional sections of farmland where we will sow potatoes for distribution to regional villages. We hope to increase production greatly next year. Goal2:GrowfreshproduceatPilgrimHotSpringsanddistributetoregionalvillages. Next season, we plan to work with the Norton Sound Health Corporation CAMP Department to identify priority communities in our region that need fresh produce. We plan to have a higher yield next year, and a stronger plan for coordinating with our regional village stores. Kawerak will prioritize communities with lowest income and highest need. By next year, we hope to work with at least four village stores to sell our seasonal produce, and by the end of year three, we hope to offer our produce in at least eight village stores during our seasonal harvest events. Goal3:Provideeducationalopportunitiesforlow-incomeresidentsthatencouragelocalfoodproduction,buying locally grown vegetables, teaching gardening basics, and sharing methods for healthy food preparation &consumption.? Kawerak will provide an educational opportunity for low-income residents that encourages local food production, buying locally grown vegetables, teaching gardening basics, and sharing methods for healthy food preparation and consumptions. We will host one workshop in year two, and another workshop in year three. These workshops will be for regional residents to learn about growing and harvesting produce, cleaning and preparing vegetables, and cooking nutritious meals using modern produce ingredients alongside traditional foods.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
From September 1, 2021, until August 31, 2022, the following has been accomplished: Goal 1: Increase production of healthy, fresh vegetables on site at Pilgrim Hot Springs. During the winter of 2021-2022, Kawerak researched and procured a new agricultural tractor to be used on site at Pilgrim Hot Springs. A John Deere 4044R Series tractor with complimentary attachments was purchased and shipped via barge from Seattle to Nome, Alaska. The new tractor arrived in June 2022 and was immediately used. During this 2022 summer season, the tractor has helped our staff to clear brush, work the land, till soil, and move dirt, debris, and trees out of the way of the agriculture fields. With this new piece of equipment, we have been able to increase crop yield from the previous year (2021 harvest) by much more than 5%. In 2021, we had a small test garden of produce that was worked by hand, and we produced approximately 60 pounds of vegetables. This year, we worked our entire fenced-in garden area, and produced approximately 250 pounds of vegetables. This is over a 400% increase from the previous year. Goal2:GrowfreshproduceatPilgrimHotSpringsanddistributetoregionalvillages. This 2022 summer, Kawerak was able to grow approximately 250 pounds of fresh produce at Pilgrim Hot Springs. While a great improvement on last year's harvest, this is still not a large enough amount of produce to justify shipping out to village hubs, and our team is not quite ready for regional distribution at this time. We are using our new food distribution model recommendations to work towards regional distribution next year. While we did not get our fresh produce into village stores this year, we were able to host two pop-up markets in the town of Nome, Alaska and offered fresh produce for sale and affordable prices to residents. The community showed up with enthusiasm, and we sold of our vegetables completely the first market. The second market we sold approximately 90% of our vegetables, and the remaining items were donated to our local community senior center to be added into the week's lunch menu. Also, a full box of produce was purchased by a local contracting company and taken to a regional village as a gift. Goal3:Provideeducationalopportunitiesforlow-incomeresidentsthatencouragelocalfoodproduction,buying locally grown vegetables, teaching gardening basics, and sharing methods for healthy food preparation &consumption. We will focus on this goal during years two and three of the project. (See more details in following sections)
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Presentation to Bering Straits Native Corporation Board of Directors
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Presentation to Sitnasuak Native Corporation Board of Directors
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Presentation to Kawerak, Inc Board of Directors
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