People of the Land II: Sustaining Agriculture on American Indian Lands in the Four-Corners Region

People of the Land II: Sustaining Agriculture on American Indian Lands in the Four-Corners Region

Summary

This specific professional development targets the Hopi and Navajo reservations in Arizona and New Mexico. The program design begins with primary data collection featuring a needs assessment of American Indian agricultural producers.  Focus group session combined with a survey instrument will be constructed to assess perceptions of qualiity of life on reservations as related to agriculture and natural resource management and identify obstacles and opportunities. The results of the needs assesment will be tied to the creation of two professional development curriculum for agriculture professionals. 

Objectives/Performance Targets

The three primary objectives of the project are: 1. Increase the knowledge, skills and actions of USDA and other agricultural and natural resource professionals regarding the cultural, social, political and economic environment relevant to developing sustainable agricultural operations in reservation environments;  2. Sustain the economic viability of American Indian agricultural operations through the implementation of USDA programs; and 3. Increase the ability of agricultural professionals to develop effective outreach plans to better fit the needs of a particular reservation environment, tribal culture, and individual Indian agricultural producer.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The following activities to accomplish the above activities took place in the second year: 1. The essential elements required to introduce and/or conduct sustainable agricultural and natural resource management programs with the Hopi tribe were examined and a research permit from the tribe was obtained;’ 2. The IRB for the University of Nevada, Reno was submitted with the research permit from the Hopi tribe for curriculum development; 3. A needs assessment to identify obstacles and opportunities for implementing sustainable agricultural practices on the Hopi reservation was completed and a focus group session was completed; and 4 the Hopi curriculum is scheduled to go out to academic review April 1, 2014.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The six chapter curriculum for the Hopi reservation will be ready for academic review by April 1, 2014 and piloted with the Hopi tribe in June 2014. Graphic design of the curriculum is beginning now to be completed by July 2014 and published by September 30, 2014.  Professional development trainings will occur with the Hopi tribe October – December 2014. The researchers are working with the Navajo Nation to get a research permit from the tribe.  It is expected that a research permit will be obtained, data will be collected and work will take place on developing the Navajo Nation curriculum.  Researchers hope to pilot the curriculum with the Navajo Nation by December 2014.  At this time, funding will have to be found and allocated to graphically design, publish and teach the Navajo Nation curriculum. 

Collaborators: