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

Project Overview

EW11-006
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2011: $71,057.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2013
Region: Western
State: Nevada
Principal Investigator:
Staci Emm
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

Annual Reports

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: farmer to farmer, technical assistance
  • Farm Business Management: whole farm planning
  • Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

    Proposal abstract:

    This Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) professional development program proposal addresses the educational needs of agricultural and natural resource professionals working with American Indian agricultural producers, specifically in the Four Corners region of Arizona and New Mexico. While almost every reservation works with a USDA agency and agricultural and natural resource professionals, most outreach programs are not tailored to the special challenges facing American Indian agricultural producers. Professionals must understand and develop an appreciation for the history, culture, political and socioeconomic conditions unique to the Indian reservations and tribal governments with which they work in order for educational outreach programs to succeed (Hart, 2006). This professional development program involves American Indian agricultural producers from start to finish in the planning, design, implementation and educational outreach to satisfy human food and fiber needs on American Indian reservation lands. This program will increase agricultural professionals’ knowledge, skills and action related to American Indian sustainable agriculture in land and water. Sustaining the economic viability of American Indian agricultural operations and their communities on American Indian reservations requires agricultural professionals to learn how to develop outreach plans that enhance quality of life for Indian farmers and ranchers and society as a whole.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    This professional development program led by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has two primary objectives focusing on land and water on the Hopi and Navaho Reservations.

    A. Increase the knowledge and skills of USDA and other agricultural and natural resource professionals regarding Indian land tenure, water rights and economic environment relevant to developing sustainable agricultural operations in reservation environments.

    B. Increase the ability of agricultural professionals to develop effective outreach plans to better fit the needs of a particular reservation environment and individual Indian agricultural producer.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.