Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this project includes Pawnee Nation citizens and other Tribal citizens residing in north-central and eastern Oklahoma. The program is designed to support Tribal communities by providing culturally relevant training and resources that enhance workforce development, food and agricultural education, and economic opportunities within these regions. Changes/Problems:Overall, the project did not experience any major challenges or require significant changes in approach. However, we did encounter a few minor challenges typical of community-based programs. One ongoing challenge has been scheduling activities that accommodate the availability of participants, especially during peak agricultural or community event seasons. Additionally, weather-related delays occasionally impacted outdoor training sessions, such as gardening activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project offered a wide range of training and professional development opportunities to support the growth and resilience of the Pawnee Nation community. These included: Financial wellness workshops that introduced strategies for saving and investing, particularly tailored for tribal citizens receiving annual disbursements. Entrepreneurship and food safety training, including sessions on how to start a food business, produce safety, and HACCP, in collaboration with a separate NBTS project. A year-long lecture series covering topics such as food as medicine, prescribed fire, land and greenhouse management, and food and dairy animal care. Healthy cooking workshops that incorporated traditional ingredients like bison, promoting both cultural knowledge and health. The Summer Pawnee Gardener Program offers hands-on training for community and private gardeners in soil health, planting, andgrowing practices. One-on-one consulting in livestock management, including cattle and bison herd development, with support from OSU beef nutrition experts. Support for food business development, including guidance on storefront operations, local meat processing, and marketing of tribal foods. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the project have been disseminated to communities of interest through a combination of Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Pawnee Nation publications, ensuring outreach to both academic and Tribal audiences. These channels have helped share project impacts, upcoming training opportunities, and community success stories with a broad network of stakeholders. Additionally, outreach efforts through workshops, public presentations, and word-of-mouth within the tight-knit Pawnee community have further supported the visibility and adoption of project outcomes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we plan to continue and expand on the activities listed above. This includes delivering additional workshops, lecture series, and one-on-one consulting in areas such as financial wellness, food safety, food business development, healthy cooking with traditional ingredients, and livestock management. We will also continue offering the Summer Pawnee Gardener Program and support for local food economy initiatives, such as the storefront featuring local produce and meat products. In addition, we plan to incorporate more hands-on training activities using the Pawnee Nation greenhouse to enhance experiential learning in gardening, plant care, andgrowing practices. These efforts will further support the project's goal of combining scientific knowledge with Pawnee cultural traditions to strengthen community resilience and food sovereignty.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This year, the project achieved significant milestones in advancing the shared goals of Pawnee Nation and Pawnee Nation College to build community resilience and confidence by integrating scientific knowledge with Pawnee heritage, ancestral wisdom, and cultural traditions. We had a highly productive year filled with workshops, class activities, hands-on training, and community engagement that supported both technical knowledge and cultural connection. Workshops and Trainings Delivered: Financial Wellness Training: Two workshops were held focusing on the importance of savings and long-term financial planning. A financial expert led discussions on basic savings strategies, including options such as 401(k) plans, and introduced simple, accessible investment ideas. These sessions were particularly impactful, as many tribal citizens--including young adults--receive annual disbursements exceeding $10,000, which are often spent quickly without investment. The workshops aimed to foster financial literacy and promote educated financial behaviors. Entrepreneurship and Food Safety Training: In collaboration with another NIFA NBTS project, we delivered training on how to start a food business, produce safety, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) specifically for Pawnee Nation citizens interested in food entrepreneurship. These trainings provided practical guidance for launching safe, culturally grounded food businesses. Year-Long Lecture Series: We hosted a comprehensive lecture series throughout the year, covering a range of topics aligned with the interests and needs of the Pawnee Nation community. These sessions included: Food as medicine Prescribed burning and land stewardship Dairy and food animal management Greenhouse and land management These were conducted using facilities at Pawnee Nation College and Pawnee Nation, emphasizing both scientific and traditional knowledge. Healthy Cooking with Traditional Ingredients: As part of our holistic approach to food education and self-sufficiency, we incorporated culturally relevant and diverse cooking demonstrations using vegetables and herbs grown in the Pawnee Nation College garden. Tribal interns and students learned to prepare traditional and international dishes, such as Pawnee blue corn bison tamales, red cheese enchiladas, and bison posole, connecting locally grown ingredients with heritage recipes. In addition to these, participants explored global cuisine (prepared using herbs and vegetables grown at PNC) by preparing Korean barbeque, Vietnamese spring rolls, Cuban-style arroz con pollo, and discada tacos. Hands-on instruction included techniques such as nixtamalization, juicing, and fermentation, as well as the preparation of vegan dishes and homemade salad dressings.. These cooking activities not only reinforced healthy food preparation but also empowered tribal citizens with the confidence and skills to incorporate homegrown foods into everyday meals while celebrating cultural traditions and fostering food sovereignty. Summer Pawnee Gardener Program: This core program engaged both community garden volunteers and individual gardeners through seasonal, hands-on training. Participants learned about planting techniques, soil health, and garden planning, all tailored to Pawnee cultural practices and environmental conditions. Throughout the season, participants experienced the full cycle of food production, from seed to harvest and utilization. They helped grow over 40 crop varieties, including heirloom beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, and pumpkins, and were involved in harvesting and distributing produce for use in cooking classes, community events, youth meals, and the Elders' meal program. This not only enhanced their agricultural skills but also reinforced the cultural value of giving back to the community. Participants also learned to process surplus produce into value-added products like salsa and candied jalapeños, promoting entrepreneurial thinking. The garden served as an outdoor classroom where tribal youth and interns gained real-world experience in regenerative agriculture, food safety, and small-scale food enterprise, all rooted in the cultural values of stewardship, self-sufficiency, and community service. This initiative continues to build capacity among tribal citizens to grow their food, combat food insecurity, and reclaim traditional food systems. One-on-One Consulting in Animal Management: Personalized guidance was provided to Pawnee Nation citizens interested in livestock production. As a direct outcome of the trainings offered through this project and the NBTS program, the Nation invested in expanding its cattle herd and is currently planning to do the same with bison. The OSU beef nutrition expert partnered with the Nation to optimize herd nutrition and overall management. Support for Local Food Economy: In partnership with the project team, Pawnee Nation launched a local storefront to promote regional food security and entrepreneurship. The store offers locally grown produce and meat sourced from livestock raised by Pawnee citizens and processed by a local meat processor. This initiative supports local producers and improves access to culturally relevant, fresh foods for the community.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The project is meticulously crafted to deliver science-based extension support to members of the Pawnee Nation community, including younger members. The program's activities encompass educational instructions and hands-on training provided through Pawnee Nation College as one of the partners, which enrolls citizens from 11 different tribes across north-central and eastern Oklahoma. As a result, the proposal aims to reach not only Pawnee citizens but also tribal members from the surrounding communities. By leveraging the resources and expertise available at Oklahoma State University and Pawnee Nation College, the project intends to foster a broader understanding of scientific principles and practical applications among a diverse audience, thereby enhancing the overall impact on tribal communities in the region Changes/Problems:For the current reporting period, Dr. Patricia Rayas, the original project PI, retired and was replaced by Dr. Ravi Jadeja. Despite this change, the project activities were not impacted, as Dr. Jadeja has been involved with the project since its inception. Additionally, Dr. Rayas continues to support the project activities in a part-time professional capacity. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project team led a comprehensive training program at Pawnee Nation College for Pawnee citizens and other tribal students enrolled at the college throughout the year. We organized training and workshops on topics such as soil fertility, tribal food from tribal chefs, the Pawnee Garden Program, food sovereignty, food safety, food processing, and food business startups. The participants received nationally and internationally recognized certificates in the area of Food Freedom Act, HACCP, Sanitation, and How to Start a Food Business programs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The project PI works closely with the Pawnee Nation and shares the project activities and outcomes through council announcements, social media, and email announcements from Pawnee Nation College and Oklahoma State University. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next project period, we plan to continue providing workshops on topics such as soil fertility, tribal food from tribal chefs, the Pawnee Garden Program, food sovereignty, food safety, food processing, and food business startups throughout the year. Additionally, the project team is working with the city of Pawnee and the Pawnee Nation to offer training and technical assistance to the Pawnee Farmers Market vendors, helping local producers get involved in the local food purchase assistance cooperative agreement program offered through the State of Oklahoma. The food business that started with the help of the project has secured additional funds from Southern SARE to develop and expand traditional Pawnee food offerings for tribal members. We plan to support the Pawnee Food Business with product development, process optimization, and market trend analysis.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The project team led a comprehensive training program at Pawnee Nation College for Pawnee citizens and other tribal students enrolled at the college throughout the year. We organized training and workshops on topics such as soil fertility, tribal food from tribal chefs, the Pawnee Garden Program, food sovereignty, food safety, food processing, and food business startups. With the help of the project, Pawnee Nation College was able to start a fresh vegetable garden. Participants grew and harvested fresh produce, which was made available to the elderly and child programs of the tribe. Additionally, a small portion of the produce was sold at the Pawnee Farmers Market to provide entrepreneurial training to participants and sustain the garden activity for the following year. During our discussions with the Pawnee Nation, we learned that many citizens would like to incorporate traditional Pawnee foods, such as corn mush made from Pawnee corn. However, due to the complexity and time required for preparation, people were not purchasing these food products. After receiving comprehensive training in food production, safe processing, regulatory compliance, and business setup, the Pawnee Seed Preservation Society, a non-profit and our partner in the program started a food business producing freeze-dried (MRE style) traditional Pawnee products. The food business that started with the help of the project is now serving as a hub for hands-on food production and entrepreneurial training.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Community of Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, students of Pawnee Nation College, and Tribal and non-tribal community from North Central Oklahoma. Changes/Problems:Nothing to report What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Nothing to report How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated via community communications in posters and social networks. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, workshops with the same topics will expand in areas not covered during this year. Examples include a food demonstration by a second Native chef that will focus on de-colonized menus, a medicinal herb raise bed garden that will be expanded to include other selected herbs/plants, the soil fertility workshop will be expanded with advanced topics and hands-on demonstrations, etc.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. Food sovereignty and food safety, and 2. Food processing, Change in knowledge and action achieved with food sovereignty, safety, and processing were accomplished with the hands-on participation of volunteers and Pawnee Nation College students and staff in the summer and spring gardens, workshops in Cereal Grains in the fall, Pawnee Gardener Program, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Management System. 20 participants. 3. Entrepreneurial workshop training.Change in knowledge achieved by a 6-h training on leadership and entrepreneurial workshop delivered by professional experts in this area from Oklahoma State University. Participants 17, 6-h workshop 4. Change in knowledge was addressed by a 2-h workshop on Soil fertility as part of the Pawnee Gardener Program. Participants 10; 2-h workshop 5. Wellbeing, lessons learned from intertribal experiences. A change in knowledge from interactive 3-h workshop with the Native Inga People from South America. The workshop included an overall knowledge of Inga's traditional food systems, major changes in lifestyle, cosmogony, relations to other tribes, and the original lands they presently live in. Participants 16, 4-h workshop and lunch with Inga People-type dishes. 6. Tribal foods by tribal chefs. A change in knowledge from food demonstrations with Chef Ramona Horsechief to the community. The demonstrations are centered on recipes with Pawnee ancestral corn varieties. Pair teams of Parents or grandparents/youth will participate and follow up in a cooking showdown competition with creations on their own. 7. Annual one-day Summer Conference for Pawnee Nation College Scholars at Oklahoma State University. Change in knowledge with presentations and hands-on demonstrations and activities. 8. Leadership and communication skills. Change in knowledge and action with presentations of community members of community projects addressing and prioritizing needs. From the 13 topics proposed, there was consensus in starting raised bed gardens to grow medicinal herbs, vegetables, and pumpkin-patch for the community to encourage intergenerational activities. 9. Pawnee Community Garden. Change in action with participation in gardening in traditional gardens, two hoop houses, and a greenhouse
Publications
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