Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The Navajo Nation spans 27,425 square miles in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Over 173,000 Navajos live on the reservation. The Nation has 12,000 livestock grazing permits; nearly 350,000 grazing head of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and 46,000 acres of farmland. Beyond having a massive area of land the Diné people have a deep rooted cultural heritage to the land and everything within nature. The people believe that their deities placed them in between the Four Sacred Mountains in the Four Corners regions, which is why many of the Navajo ancestors returned to their homeland after the forced enslavement and genocide from the "Long Walk". The land represents more than a physical, geographical place of residence; the land defines the people themselves and is at the focal point of Navajo culture, spirituality, and politics. With the introduction and development of newer agriculture practices and techniques, the Navajo people have proven themselves knowledgeable in working the land and raising domesticated animals. Many Navajo bands farmed for hundreds of years in the Four Corners region with their unique geographic challenges of being in a food desert. After the acquisition of sheep, cattle and horses in the early 1600s, the Navajo people became skilled livestock producers. Today they produce crops ranging from peaches, alfalfa to potatoes, lambs and wool, angora goats, mohair, and commercial cattle. Agriculture is dependent upon for food, transmission of important cultural values, and financial stability. The youth will also be focused on through ongoing efforts to support the local tribal, county, and state 4-H youth development programs to fill the gaps that are left behind by older producers to ensure the agriculture industry continues to thrive. ?Audiences include Navajo Livestock Producers, Tribal Ranchers Leases, Cattle Associations, Navajo Nation Farm Board Members, Navajo Nation Grazing Management Program Officials, Home & Community Gardeners, Tribal Leaders, Navajo Nation 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences Program Participants including: Youth and Adults, 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges (2) Private & Public Schools. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Train the Traineron Basic Hoof Care and Trimming to Navajo Nation communities, Beef Quality Assurance for AZ/NM producers, Train te Trainer sessions for ALIRT First Responder protocols to tribal producers. *Agent Professional Development opportuntities:*American Farriers Conference, Reno, NV (November 6-10, 2023);*Intertribal Ag Countil Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV (December 11-14, 2024);*Southwest Indian Agriculture Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, AZ (Jan 2024);*Financial Literacy Maricopa County Cooperative Extension. Phoenix, AZ (January 10-11,204);*2024 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, Orlando, FL (January 31-February 2, 2024);*NM/AZALIRTConference and Workshop in Socorro,NewMexico(May 8-10, 2024);*Southwest Indian Agriculture Association Livestock Field Days, Prescott, AZ (June 2024); How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Community presentations with Navajo language speakers is critical too our success to reach all members of the communities. Inormation is provided at in-person workshpps throughout the Navajo Nation and at various Navajo Nation Chapters by the three FRTEP agents.The FRTEP agent is able to present both in English and the Navajo language for elders to understand my presentation; whether, it is Beef Quality Assurance, livestock production, or basic equine hoof care. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?FRTEP agent plans to look for more funding opportunities to support the expansion of gardens, resources, and partnerships to support the community's needs. This includes areas of livestock, food access, and youth outreach.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1:The Apache County/Navajo Nation assistant 4-H agent has several programs in place to encourage tribal youth to get more involved with agriculture, participate and thrive on tribal land in the Arizona 4-H Youth Program. 4-H certified volunteer recruitment and training is conducted on a one-on-one basis and have been working with University of Arizona Youth Safety to overcome the barriers of background checks for volunteers on tribal land. We have created a non-traditional 4-H club model with the Navajo Nation 4-H Community club for 4-H enrolled youth and serve as a meeting location within the surrounding communities. We build a relationship with families to ensure 4-H protocols and positive learning is being conducted, as well as with local schools, teachers, and other community groups to increase 4-H enrollment on the Navajo Nation. One of the more major highlights were: *Co-Coordination of the Arizona 4-H Horse show to be held at Holbrook, AZ. This encouraged more 4-H tribal youth to participate in the Horse Project and eased the barrier of traveling down to southern counites in Arizona; *Coordination of a variety of learning opportunities for both 4-H youth and community members, based on feedback from the community. Activities ranged from cake decorating, sewing, youth quality assurance training, conference presentations, gardening, drone demonstrations, traditional food summit. Future collaborations for the year 2024- 2025 are already in the planning process. Reached over 800 youth and community members; *Had 6 youth attend Arizona 4-H Summit in Tucson, AZ for higher education learning opportunities and networking. 4 out of the 6 participants were new 4-H members and 100% of youth said they would attend the event again and gained valuable connections and learning opportunities, *Establishment of the Navajo Nation Jr. Livestock Board to coordinate the annual Jr. Livestock Show and Sale. Provided meetings to keep the 4-H families informed with upcoming events, and deadlines; *Assisted Apache County extension with the annual Grand Canyon Hike with 30 4-H youth, families, and staff who hiked the 16.3 miles from the South Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trailhead. The hike tested physical and mental strength as all parties made it out of the canyon with the longest being 12 hours; *Assisted in getting the 7 4-H youth final payments for their market stock from the 2022 Jr. Livestock Sale by the Navajo Nation. Goal 2: After hiring a new FRTEP agent, Mr. Leander Thomas, he worked with several communities to host several events in relation to helping farmers and ranchers adjust to best practices in the face of climate change. These workshops addressedLivestock, Horseshoeing, and Recordkeepingin Arizona and New Mexico. SeveralBeef Quality Assurance Certification workshops were heldthroughout the Navajo Nation forlocal cattle producers, wiht assistance from the Tse Bonito Veterinary Clinic. Agent participate in the Career Technical Education high school agricultural programs such as Future Farmers of America atChinle High School and Mountain View High School. Both of these events were well attended. At the Southwest Indian Agricultural Association (SWIAA) Livestock Field Days event in June, presented at the SWIAA Youth component and provided hands-on learning (Prescott,Az). Train the Trainer Equine Hoof Care Demo to Summer youth students (song of the horse & Indian wells chapter). Goal 3:*The Window Rock Extension program is working with the Navajo community to become a better place to live, work, and play. Collaboration with Apache County SNAP-Ed coordinator to help promote the Baby College 101 program and events. Working with two local tribal colleges, Dine College and Navajo Technical University, on multiple collaborations with the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, as well as other local non-profit organizations. While we do service multiple communities, the newly opened FRETP Extension Building at the Window Rock location has been a positive influence in fostering localcommunity involvement. Both FRTEP, Apache County, AZ Health Zone, SNAP-Ed and many other programs associated with the University of Arizona now have safe location to meet and host year-round programs. Presentations done on behalf of FRTEP have highlighted all the great programs available and positive impacts they have on communities. This is why networking and attending various conferences has been key to creating new partnerships within different tribal communities. *Demonstrations on basic Hoof Care & Trimming were held at the Navajo Nation YouthSong of the Horse Camp . Also introduced Blacksmithing to summeryouth students in theIndian Wells Chapter andadults wanting to learn basic hoof care trim throughout the Navajo Nation Chapters at theNavajo Nation Council Delegate Summer Horse Ride-in event. Have also presented on basic hoof care and rimming/blacksmithing to youth through collaborations withseverallocal high school ag. Programs, withhands-on demonstrations. *Other collaborations and workshops included Beef Quality Assurance; utilizing Navajo Nation Tribal Natural Resources and Farm programs such as Navajo Agricultural Product Industry in Farmington, NM for NN tribal producers to alleviate over grazing on the NN reservation;Livestock Workshop programs such as hands on live castration on calve, sheep, and goats;Correct handling of Vaccination and administering medicines into livestock, dystocia techniques, proper handling and techniques of livestock restraints; Creating Co-ops and livestock association with the NN Chapters to promote local business entrepreneurship. *Efforts to integrate locally grown and traditional Navajo foods into school cafeterias and classrooms; working with the local Career & Technical Education Agricultural school programs on the Navajo nation, summer Youth employees at local Chapter events, and bringing Youth hands on learning at local conferences such as SWIAA. Goal 4: FRTEP Agent works with tribal elders and technical experts to make adaptations to educational materials to ensure that they are both culturally appropriate and place-based to increase their relevance for diverse, widespread tribal communities. *Partnerships - Collaborating with the 110 chapters on the NN and its local grazing officials, NN Department of Natural Resources, NN Department of Agricultural, neighboring colleges and universities such Dine College and Navajo Technical University, Utah State University, and New Mexico State University, Grazing districts within the NN, Soil & Water Conservation Districts on NN. *Works closely with Arizona Cooperative Extension staff and others to evaluate and improve programs offered. Working with Apache/Navajo Extension agents and FRTEP throughout the State on programming and events including the Navajo Nation Song of the Horse Youth Camp, the Navajo Nation Jr. Livestock 4H Show, the Livestock Veterinary Days, the Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) within AZ/NM, theFinancial Literacy grant and the Native American Agricutlure Fund grant projects.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The Navajo Nation spans 27,425 square miles in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Over 173,000 Navajos live on the reservation. The Nation has 12,000 livestock grazing permits; nearly 350,000 grazing head of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and 46,000 acres of farmland. Beyond having a massive area of land, the Diné people have a deep-rooted cultural heritage to the land and everything within nature. The people believe that their deities placed them in between the Four Sacred Mountains in the Four Corners regions, which is why many of the Navajo ancestors returned to their homeland after the forced enslavement and genocide from the "Long Walk". The land represents more than a physical, geographical place of residence; the land defines the people themselves and is at the focal point of Navajo culture, spirituality, and politics. With the introduction and development of newer agriculture practices and techniques, the Navajo people have proven themselves knowledgeable in working the land and raising domesticated animals. Many Navajo bands farmed for hundreds of years in the Four Corners region with their unique geographic challenges of being in a food desert. After the acquisition of sheep, cattle and horses in the early 1600s, the Navajo people became skilled livestock producers. Today they produce crops ranging from peaches, alfalfa to potatoes, lambs and wool, angora goats, mohair, and commercial cattle. Agriculture is depended upon for food, transmission of important cultural values, and financial stability. Audiences include Navajo Livestock Producers, Tribal Ranchers Leases, Cattle Associations, Navajo Nation Farm Board Members, Navajo Nation Grazing Management Program Officials, Home & Community Gardeners, Tribal Leaders, Navajo Nation 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences Program Participants including: Youth and Adults, 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges (2) Private & Public Schools. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic aftermath is still hitting the Navajo Nation. Like the rest of the country, the Navajo Nation faced the challenges of maintaining health-oriented practices, social isolation, school closures, financial pressures and more. With the election of a new Navajo Nation Presidential Administration in 2022, mandates have been lifted; however, there are still a lot of communities and members who are still hesitant to attend events. FRTEP and extension have been able to start in-person programming, but it is not near the capacity as pre-covid. We expect to expand to 80% of events in 2023.Throughout these changing times, FRTEP has been able to adapt and keep our mission remained unchanged; we provided the needed services and relevant educational information to the Navajo people. Some of the programming was adopted to zoom meetings, conferences and webinar type programming in addition to live workshop and seminar presentations. The zoom meetings are limited however because internet access for many communities and members on the Navajo Nation is not reliable or available in certain areas. Changes/Problems:In 2022-23 we had a change in personnel at the Window Rock office. After three years, Nathan Notah, the Ag & Natural Resources extension agent left to pursue other opportunities in January 2022. We hired Leander G. Thomas as the new Agriculture and Natural Resources extension agent in May 2023, and he hasbeen quicly getting up to speed. He was a high school ag teacher on the Navajo Nation and has beem able to build on many existing relationships working with ranchers, farmers, and community leaders . What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The FRTEP program provides two FRTEP professional development opportunities for the FRTEP agent - the FRTEP day at the Annual Intertribal Ag Council meeting in December in Las Vegas, NV and the FRTEP Professional Development meeting in February with the Seminole Tribe in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In addition, there are two Southwest Indian Agricultural Association conferences (January and June) and an Indian Livestock School by NMSU (May) that provides opportunities to discuss issues, solutions and sharing of experiences with peers and agricultural professionals? How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?FRTEP and extension have been able to start in-person programming, but it is not near the capacity as pre-covid. We expect to expand to 80% of events by the year 2023.Throughout these changing times, FRTEP has been able to adapt and keep our mission remained unchanged; we provided the needed services and relevant educational information to the Navajo people. Some of the programming was adopted to zoom meetings, conferences and webinar type programming in addition to live workshop and seminar presentations. The zoom meetings are limited however because internet access for many communities and members on the Navajo Nation is not reliable or available in certain areas. ?Information has been shared with communities via social media, radio announcements, newspapers, email, flyers, and word of mouth. Results have been gauged by the communities requesting more presentations or events in their area that meet their needs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?- Plans for the next reporting period is to continue planning, hosting, implementing, and evaluating workshops to ensure they fit the needs of the communities. This would include building new relationships with community networks and strengthening the ones that are already established. - Continuing to make the Arizona 4-H program accessible to all youth on the Navajo Nation and break down barriers that are identified. Increasing enrollment with more public events, leader certifications with more training opportunities, and projects areas with more resources. - Continue to provideinnovation & research based knowledge on natural resource & science to help tribal producers in their daily agricultural operations. - Promote best practices in rangeland management, soil health, animal husbandry, livestock production, animal disease prevention, ranch/farm business operation start-up, livestock association, Co-ops, and offer technical assistance as needed/requested. ?-Provide "Train the Trainer" workshops to increase program outreach and effectiveness; Society of Range Management, Holistic Management International, USDA, NRCS, APHIS, etc.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1 - 4H/Youth Development (Kristy Kinlicheenie, Assistant Agent 4-H for Apache County and Navajo Nation - Continue to provide equal opportunity for youth on tribal land to participate and thrive in the Arizona 4-H Youth Program. 4-H certified volunteer recruitment and training were conducted on a one-on-one basis, along with working with Youth Safety at the University of Arizona to overcome the barriers of background checks using FieldPrint for volunteers on tribal land due to the traveling distance to a qualified FieldPrint office. Provided training for 4-H volunteers to be aware of resources and opportunities with the 4-H programs. - Creation of the Navajo Nation 4-H Community club for 4-H enrolled youth, who do not have a club in their immediate home base. Working with families to maintain a relationship to ensure 4-H protocols and positive learning is being conducted. Continue to work with local schools, teachers, and other community groups to increase 4-H enrollment on the Navajo Nation. - Sent first ever Navajo Nation 4-H Tribal Delegation to the National 4-H Conference held in Washington, D.C. Seven youth attended, along with 2 chaperones. For the first time in history, the 4-H pledge was recited at the conference in the Navajo language. - Establishment of the Navajo Nation Jr. Livestock Committee to coordinate the annual Jr. Livestock Show and Sale. This committee will oversee the event and provide informational meetings to keep the 4-H families apprised of upcoming events and deadlines. - Held community presentations with Navajo language speakers as primary presenters. This tactic is to help overcome the language barrier of non-Navajo presenters via a two way headset provided to the audience allowing real time translation from a fluent Navajo speaker. We found this method to be highly successful; and ensure primary Navajo language speaking attendees were able to hear, see, and understand presentation with everyone else. Activities:Jul 2022Upper Fruitland Youth Workshop-Cake Decorating- Upper Fruitland, NM, Youth Livestock Program- Naschitti,NM; Aug 2022 ODY 4-H Sewing Workshop- Fort Defiance, AZ, Sept 2022 Youth Quality Assurance Certification Training- Tsaile, AZ, Navajo Nation Fair Jr. Livestock Show & Sale/ Indoor Projects, Arizona State 4-H Horse Show- Holbrooke, AZ; Oct 2022 School Outreach- Cottonwood Day School- Cottonwood, AZ, Sanders High School BQA Cerfiticaiton Training- Sanders, AZ, Sanders High School-Youth Quality Assurance Certification- Sanders, AZ; Dec 2022 School Outreach- Cottonwood Day School-Cottonwood, AZ, Community Outreach- Black Mesa, AZ; Jan 2023 Sanders High School Beef Injection Simulator- Sanders, AZ; Feb 2023 Ganado High School Beef Injection Simulator- Ganado, AZ, Jr. Livestock Board Meeting and establishment; Mar 2023 4-H Information Session w projects- Window Rock, AZ, Integrated Pest Management Workshop- Window Rock, AZ, Jr. Livestock Meeting -Zoom; Apr 2023 4-H Meeting/ Information Session - Window Rock, AZ; Apache County Board of Supervisors Meeting- Gando, AZ, 4-H National Conference- Washington, D.C; May 2023. Garden Project with AZ Health Zone- Window Rock, AZ, Ganado High School BQA Certification Training- Ganado, AZ, 4-H Meeting/ Information Session- Window Rock, AZ, NM Indian Livestock Days- Farmington, NM, Drone Workshop & Demonstration- Window Rock, AZ, ODY 4-H Traditional Foods Workshop- Fort Defiance, AZ; Jun 2023 Song of the Horse Camp Presentation- Horse Behavior- Navajo Nation, Tuba City, AZ, 4-H Project Tagging and Updates, Traditional Food Summit-Gaddi Ahi Chapter House- Gaddi Ahi, AZ, Goal2- Navajo Farmer and Rancher Productivity and Management -*Continue the partnership withNavajo Technical University and Dine' College Agents, NMSU Extension Program to provide direct programs to tribal producers, farmers, ranchers agricultural professionals and youth. Provide innovation and research-based solutions for natural resource and science to help tribal producers in their daily operations. * Maintain existing collaborations with partners such as the Society for Range Management, Holistic Management International, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service to deliver programming to meet the needs of the tribal ranchers, livestock associations and community members. * Seek to provide open forums for tribal producers, farmers, ranchers and agriculture professionals to meet with and mentor Navajo youth on the opportunities and careers in agriculture and natural resources. Activities: 07/22Navajo Nation Ag Expo-Beef Injection Simulator/4-H Booth- Window Rock, AZ-300 participants, University of Arizona Cattle Selection Workshop- Window Rock, AZ, Navajo Nation Ag Expo- Cattle Selection and Vaccination- Window Rock, AZ, Navajo Nation Ag Expo- Horse Selection and Vaccination- Window Rock, AZ, Comprehensive Beef Cattle Seminar- Chinle High School;09/22Livestock Management Workshop- Gallup, NM- 60 participants, Drought Tools & Resource Management- Gallup, NM;10/22Fall Livestock Seminar- Breadsprings, NM,11/22 Livestock and Range Management Workshop- Chinle, AZ 21 participants, Livestock and Range Management Workshop- Pinion, AZ 21 participants, Ganado High School BQA Certification Training- Ganado, AZ,12//22Range & Livestock Workshop- Shiprock, NM;07/23Horse Connection Communities- Window Rock, AZ - 70 participants Goal3- Navajo Garden Programs- With the help of AZ Health Zone/ UA Apache County Cooperative Extension, the demonstration garden has be fully revitalized. Annarita Begay with AZ Health Zone has had monthly workshops on all garden related activities. Coordination with the Navajo Nation 4-H to have 4-H youth help with the garden during the summer months and harvest. Goal 4- Community & Youth Development, Foundational Education & Training-The Window Rock Extension program is working with the Navajo community to become a better place to live, work, and play. Collaboration with Sheryl Benally to help promote the Baby College 101 program and events hosted. In addition we are working with two local tribal colleges, Dine College and Navajo Technical University, on multiple collaborations with the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, as well as other local non-profit organizations. While we do service multiple communities the newly opened FRETP Extension Building at the Window Rock location has been a positive addition to building community involvement. Both FRTEP, Apache county, AZ Health Zone, Snap Ed and many other programs associated with the University of Arizona now have safe location to meet and host year-round programs. Presentations done on behalf of FRTEP have been done to show all the great programs that are being conducted and the impacts it has had on communities. This is why networking and attending various conferences has been key to creating new partnerships within different tribal communities. - Community Development- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Sustainable Community Project to Promote Early Language and Literacy Development in Native Communities (EC2),aims to enhance early language and literacy development in Native Communities. Baby College 101: Courses for A?chíní Yázhí. Aimed at supporting Navajo Nation Sanders and other areas. The project involves caregivers, including primary and childcare providers, actively engaging in higher-quality early literacy practices with children aged 0 to 6. This initiative has collaborated closely with UA agents and specialists to create tailored curricula..
Publications
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