Progress 04/01/09 to 03/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The NDSU Extension office has worked with diverse groups on the Ft Berthold Indian Reservation to tailor our programming to local needs during the course of our FRTEP grant. Working with tribal youth has been a major priority for our office and we have offered in-school enrichment programming, as well as afterschool and summer 4-H programs, on agriculture, natural resources, and nutrition topics in the different reservation communities. We also partnered with the Three Affiliated Tribes Boys and Girls Club on an Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention grant to teach traditional skills (beading, leathercraft, etc) to at-risk tribal youth. Our office partnered with the Juvenile Justice Center to plant a garden and another youth garden was established at the New Town Head Start. We also worked with tribal elders and community members to get additional garden projects going at the Senior Center and Arikara Cultural Center in White Shield. Nutrition education for adults has been another focus of our FRTEP program, and our office has offered the Dining with Diabetes program (in conjunction with the Ft Berthold Diabetes Program) four times in New Town and White Shield to help tribal members better manage their diabetes. In addition, our office provides information and resources to farmers/producers at Ft Berthold, and we have worked directly with landowners to control leafy spurge on the reservation through the use of bio-control methods. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The NDSU Extension FRTEP program has allowed community volunteers the opportunity to gain experience working with and teaching youth as part of our OJJDP 4-H Tribal Youth grant. Youth participants in the program were also able to develop applied skills in the production of traditional arts/crafts that can be utilized for future entrepreneurial activities on the reservation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Information on our programs has been disseminated to community members through community meetings, newsletters, newspaper articles, flyers, radio, and word-of-mouth. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Under Objective One, the NDSU Extension office has worked to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of rural economies by providing information and financial tools to producers/landowners to help them improve their agricultural production practices, farm business management skills, and expand awareness about marketing opportunities on the reservation. We have helped improve economic opportunities and the quality of life for youth at Ft Berthold (under Objective Two) by offering in-school enrichment programming and afterschool/summer 4-H programs to tribal youth so they could develop their knowledge and skills in the areas of agriculture, environmental science, and gardening. Participation in the OJJDP 4-H Tribal Youth grant program allowed at-risk youth to develop technical skills in the production of traditional arts and crafts that can be used to generate future employment opportunities and promote entrepreneurship on the reservation. Enhancing agriculture and the food supply (Objective Three) was accomplished by providing information to farmers/producers on plant/animal pests and diseases that threatened agricultural health. Community members were also taught about safe food handling practices to prevent food-borne illnesses, and how to consume a healthier diet to reduce the incidence of diabetes among tribal members. Objective Four of protecting the environment and natural resource base was addressed by working to control invasive species (leafy spurge) through the dispersement of bio-control agents on Ft Berthold rangelands. Ensuring water quality was another important focus and our office partnered with the TAT Environmental Dept to sample over 50 private wells on the reservation in order to assess water quality for rural households. Our office also participated in a Water Symposium hosted by Fort Berthold Community College to increase awareness among local students about the importance of protecting water resources on the reservation.

Publications

Progress 04/01/12 to 03/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Our Extension programming has focused on reaching our Native American target population here at Fort Berthold, with an emphasis on addressing the needs of at-risk youth, as well as tribal producers. We have also targeted community members with diabetes for special nutrition/health programming during the past year. As the recipient of a 2012-2013 4-H Tribal Youth Mentoring Program grant from OJJDP, we have prioritized our outreach efforts during this reporting period to work with at-risk tribal youth in two underserved communities—Twin Buttes and White Shield. The original grant called for targeting thirty tribal youth to participate in the program, though the number of enrolled youth has now surpassed this. Participants worked with mentors to learn about beading, leathercraft, gardening, and other relevant topics, and seven youth from Twin Buttes entered traditional Native American arts/crafts into the North Dakota State Fair. White Shield youth had the opportunity to learn about digital photography, horsemanship, beadwork, and have been learning how to make Native American regalia with community mentors. The 4-H afterschool club in Parshall provided opportunities for local youth to engage in hands-on learning activities in the areas of archery, container gardening, birds/feathers, bees and honey, forests/trees, animal tracking, and more. In addition, a new partnership was formed with the Twin Buttes Elementary School to start a school garden. Gardening classes were taught to three grades during spring 2013, and school children were able to grow their own traditional Hidatsa bean plants in their classroom. Extension outreach with tribal producers has focused on the control of leafy spurge through bio-control methods, and flea beetles were once again collected and distributed to interested producers on the reservation during the reporting period. Our office is also partnering with the local tribal land-grant college (Fort Berthold Community College) to address issues of rangeland health, and a survey was designed to assess the needs of area producers and landowners. The NDSU Extension office has also organized programming to improve the health of our Native American clientele, and the Dining with Diabetes program was offered in two communities during spring and summer 2012 in collaboration with our tribal partners. Valuable information and resources were made available to tribal members with diabetes, who previously did not have access to this dynamic nutrition education course. This program received a very positive reception by participants, and we were proud to be the first Extension office in North Dakota to make this program available on an Indian reservation. Changes/Problems: We will not be making any major changes in our approach during the next reporting period, though we are prioritizing our work with youth and rangeland health because these have been identified as the areas of greatest need and interest in conjunction with our community partners. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The NDSU Extension FRTEP program has provided the Co-PI/Extension Educator at Fort Berthold with professional development opportunities, including attending the annual Intertribal Agriculture Council symposium to learn more about the conservation and development of Indian agricultural resources and network with other educators. This project at Fort Berthold has also offered our community partners and volunteers training in the area of youth development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? In order to disseminate information about our programs and services to local communities, our office prints and mails a monthly newsletter to area residents and organizations. Upcoming programs and events have been publicized through local newspapers and radio as well to garner interest and expand awareness about Extension activities across the reservation. We have recently developed a Fort Berthold Extension Facebook page that will be an important online resource for increasing access to information, with links to additional electronic resources on the NDSU Extension Service website. One of the most important ways that our office is able to direct information to those who would not normally have access is by working through our community and tribal partners. 4-H members have been effectively recruited by talking to teachers and students about 4-H and sending letters home from school. We have also organized successful community meetings, educational programs, and special projects by partnering with well-established local organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, Fort Berthold Diabetes Program, Fort Berthold Community College, TAT Environmental Division, and other groups. Our office has also presented information at community meetings to inform local residents about our programs and gain their support for our projects in their community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period our office will continue to strive to meet the original goals and objectives of the grant, though we will primarily focus on increasing educational opportunities for youth and improving rangeland health. For the summer of 2013, youth participating in the 4-H Tribal Youth Mentoring Program will continue to work in activity groups to complete individual projects for the ND State Fair. Youth in White Shield will be working on making their own Native American regalia and Twin Buttes youth are doing beadwork and leathercraft projects. Youth, families and mentors will have the opportunity to enjoy a Family Day at the Fair in order to see youth projects on display from their community. In August, youth will complete their project scrapbooks and sell traditional handicrafts they have made at the local farmers’ market and pow-wows. A Family Night Dinner and Award Ceremony will be held to honor youth in the community and increase awareness about the 4-H Tribal Youth program. Extension staff will also participate in offering workshops at the tribal youth culture and science camps held each year in collaboration with other community organizations. We will also be working closely with the tribal land grant college to coordinate the annual Ft Berthold Horse Fun Day Rodeo, in addition to organizing rangeland health producer meetings across the reservation and planning grazing workshops to improve the utilization of forage resources at Fort Berthold. Integrated pest management of invasive species will also be encouraged, and flea beetles distributed to interested landowners to control leafy spurge. When school resumes in the fall, our office will continue to offer in-school enrichment programming in the areas of agriculture, natural resources, gardening, and nutrition in local reservation schools, as well as after-school 4-H programs.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? For Objective 1 (Enhance the Competitiveness and Sustainability of Rural and Farm Economies on Fort Berthold), producers were offered assistance under the Beef Quality Assurance program to facilitate the marketing of locally-raised beef. Area farmers were provided with financial tools and business information to improve the economic viability of their operations. Extension staff also offered support for growers at the newly-formed New Town Farmers’ Market. Under Objective 2 (Support Increased Economic Opportunities and Improved Quality of Life on Fort Berthold), providing educational opportunities for local youth was a major priority of our office. During the course of the project, 3 new 4-H clubs have been organized in the communities of Parshall, White Shield, and Twin Buttes, with community volunteers and mentors recruited to assist with club and project activities. The Native American population at Fort Berthold previously had very little involvement with 4-H on the reservation, while now our office can proudly claim 68 enrolled 4-H members in 3 communities. The 4-H Tribal Youth Mentoring Program grant our office received from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has provided us with significant resources to greatly expand our programs and purchase project equipment/supplies that would otherwise have been unavailable to benefit the youth of Fort Berthold. Grant funds have been used to purchase sewing machines, leathercraft tools, beading supplies, fabric, and much more to allow youth the opportunity to develop skills and mastery in areas of strong cultural importance, and develop their entrepreneurial skills. Strong partnerships have been cultivated with the Boys and Girls Club of the Three Affiliated Tribes, and the Twin Buttes and White Shield schools in order to offer unique programs and resources to the underserved youth populations in these remote communities. We are also in the process of developing a school garden and a high tunnel is being constructed on the Twin Buttes School grounds, to improve access to healthy foods and stimulate youth interest in their agricultural heritage. These positive youth development activities are resulting in an improved quality of life for the youth and families of Fort Berthold. For Objective 3 (Enhance Protection and Safety of Agriculture and Food Supply Produced on Fort Berthold), food safety education workshops/classes have been offered for low-income families, as well as nutrition/health enrichment programs being taught in reservation schools. Information has also been provided to farmers and producers about plant and animals diseases and pests to reduce the number and severity of pest and disease outbreaks. Under Objective 4 (Protect and Enhance the Three Affiliated Tribes’ Natural Resource Base and Enivironment), the NDSU Extension Office collaborated with the Tribal Environmental Division and the EPA to conduct a water well study at Fort Berthold. Over fifty samples were collected from wells across the reservation to ensure access to clean water by local families. In addition, our office participates in annual flea beetle collection field days and distributes bio-control agents to area landowners to control the spread of leafy spurge. In this way, we are actively working to protect, enhance, and improve the management of rangelands and wildlife habitat on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

Publications

Progress 04/01/11 to 03/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: NDSU Extension is working in diverse subject areas to meet the needs of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people living on the Fort Berthold Indian reservation. During the summer of 2011, we partnered with the Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT) Boys & Girls Club to teach youth at the Culture and Science Camps about natural resource and gardening topics. Our office coordinated several large-scale community events in fall 2011, including collaborating with Ft Berthold Community College to hold the ninth annual Ft Berthold Horse Fun Day Rodeo, which was well-attended by local youth and families. We also organized the first Ft Berthold Family Harvest Festival to garner local interest in traditional foods and agriculture. During fall 2011, our office taught the Banking on Strong Bones program to 4th grade students in New Town to promote improved nutrition. Ag in the Classroom and nutrition/health lessons were also taught each week to students at Parshall Elementary, in addition to a new afterschool 4-H club being organized there. Our office was the recipient of a 2012-13 4-H Tribal Youth National Mentoring Program grant. We have been partnering with Boys & Girls Club staff in Twin Buttes and White Shield to implement this program. Thirty youth will work in mentoring groups to participate in hands-on activities in gardening, beading, and other areas and then enter an individual project at the fair. Youth will also have the opportunity to gain practical experience in entrepreneurship. We are also working closely with the White Shield School to promote youth gardening and secured an NDSU Junior Master Gardener grant to purchase supplies and equipment. We also brought a high tunnel kit down to Twin Buttes as part of a youth gardening pilot project between our office and the Twin Buttes Boys & Girls Club. Youth will directly engage in hands-on learning about organic high tunnel gardening practices, while striving to improve the self-sufficiency and food security of this isolated community. Protecting natural resources from invasive species is another Extension priority in order to maintain the productivity and health of rangelands at Ft Berthold. Last summer our office participated in a group flea beetle collection field day on the Standing Rock reservation. Beetles were then distributed to interested producers for the biological control leafy spurge on Ft Berthold rangelands. In addition, we recently partnered with the TAT Environmental Division to implement a Farm Family Water Well testing project among rural households at Ft Berthold. We worked with EPA staff to collect over 50 water samples from private wells across the reservation to test drinking water quality and ensure the health of the families here. Our office is also working to promote improved health by offering the Dining with Diabetes program for the first time on an Indian reservation in North Dakota. We are collaborating with the Ft Berthold Diabetes Program, Tribal Health Educator, and ND Department of Health to offer this series of classes to local people with diabetes, and plan to expand this program to other segments of the reservation in the future as well. PARTICIPANTS: Fort Berthold Community College EPA staff Tribal Health Educator North Dakota Dept. of Health Newtown and Parshall Elementary Schools NDSU Extension Service Center for 4-H TARGET AUDIENCES: Citizens of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
In accordance with the mission of the NDSU Extension Service, our office has been actively engaged in creating learning partnerships to help youth and adults enhance their lives and communities at Fort Berthold. Youth that participated in the summer Culture and Science Camps had the opportunity to learn more about the cultural and nutritional importance of beans and were able to plant traditional Arikara Yellow Bean and Hidatsa Shield Figure Bean seeds and take their plants home to grow on their own. Youth and families attending the Horse Fun Day Rodeo and Ft Berthold Harvest Festival also had the opportunity to renew their appreciation for their agricultural heritage while building positive memories, and our office received enthusiastic feedback about how much the families enjoyed the experience. New Town elementary school students who participated in the Banking on Strong Bones program learned about the importance of calcium and dairy production, while students at Parshall Elementary learned where their food comes from and how to stay healthy by getting enough exercise, choosing healthy snacks and drinks, and increasing their knowledge of the different food groups. In addition, 4-H members in Parshall have been actively engaged in hands-on learning activities studying wildlife, plants, pets, bike safety, baking, container gardening, and more. Youth participating in the 4-H Tribal Youth Mentoring Program are excited about developing their skills in beadwork, photography, and other areas in preparation for the upcoming State Fair. Community members have exhibited strong support for this program in reaching out to at-risk youth in the community, and the first Family Night Dinners have been held in Twin Buttes and White Shield. Site development and construction of a high tunnel in Twin Buttes is also currently underway, and will allow youth the opportunity to learn about organic gardening techniques and sell their produce at the local farmers market. Following the collection of flea beetles at Standing Rock Reservation, insects were distributed to local producers to control the spread of leafy spurge at Fort Berthold. Interest in biological control of leafy spurge has increased and additional ranchers and landowners received flea beetles after the 2012 field collection. Adults participating in the Dining with Diabetes program in New Town in spring 2012 learned more about how to manage their diabetes and prepare healthy meals using the Plate Method. Our office is now planning to expand this program to other areas of the reservation that have expressed interest.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 04/01/10 to 03/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Banking on Strong Bones is a school enrichment program that works at getting parents involved in nutrition lessons on calcium and building strong bones for their children by providing a weekly newsleter containing easy, healthy snack recipes. GO RED for Women teaches women how to keep their heart healthy by participating in presentations on Healthy Cooking, Smart Size Your Portions, and Cooking with Herbs. The Munch & Crunch program for youth includes sessions on preparing healthy snacks, physical activity, and hands-on food preparation including safe food handling practices. Youth taking part in Maak Oti Summer Camp participate in four strands: Agriculture, Culture, Science and Recreation. Mini-Society is a youth entrepreneurship program where youth actively create their own community and therefore learn about government, business, economics and civics. Fort Berthold Shooting Sports day participants enhance their outdoor skills and learn how to shoot a rifle, muzzleloader, shotgun, and bow and arrow. A community garden was planted at the Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT) Earthlodge site. Youth listened to a variety of presenters on native seeds, what kind of seeds to plant, how to prepare the land for gardening, and what it takes to make their garden flourish. Fort Berthold Extension Service and the Fort Berthold Community College collaborated again to conduct the 9th annual Horse Fun Day at the New Town Rodeo Grounds. Thirty-eight contestants participated in events including barrel racing, pole bending, dummy roping, goat tail untying, and more. The Fort Berthold Extension Service assisted producers in controlling troublesome weeds including Leafy Spurge and Canada Thistle using biological control agents in combination with other practices. Livestock and grain producers particpated in a crop and livestock outlook and marketing informational meeting to learn more about options available to them. The Extension Service collaborated with Fort Berthold Community College to host an Age and Source Verification program meeting. Producers learned what this program, sponsored through the Dickinson Research Extension Center, can do for them and how they can participate. The Fort Berthold Extension office worked collaboratively with the Mountrail County Extension office to bring 4-H Youth National Science Day to the New Town and Parshall schools. This program is part of National 4-H Week and the National 4-H Science Day project. PARTICIPANTS: Jay Fisher, Calli Thorne, Carol Enno; Collaborator: Fort Berthold Community College TARGET AUDIENCES: Native Americans on Fort Berthold Reservation (Three Affiliated Tribes, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Students involved in the Banking on Strong Bones program continued to show improvement in calcium intake, healthier beverage choices (more milk, less soda), healthy snacks and meals, increased physical activity, and a better understanding of a healthy plate and serving sizes. The Fort Berthold GO RED for heart health program empowered women to better understand components of their cardiac health, risk factors, food choices including portion size and the value of exercise. Munch and Crunch Program post-surveys continue to indicate increased kitchen safety practices, ability to prepare healthy snacks, knowledge to cook healthy meals, wiser choices for healthier food when eating out, and a very high percentage reported they learned more about etiquette/manners. All (100%) of the youth reported they enjoyed the program. Youth who participated in the Maak Oti Summer Camp learned more about their own personal culture, agriculture, science in their environment, and lifelong leadership skills. Students who participated in the Mini-Society Entrepreneurship program implemented their own business and learned how to function in their own community within their own governmental structure. Some have continued to grow the business they created out in the real world once the program ended. Participants in the Shooting Sports day camp learned safety, responsibility, and the importance of folowing directions and listening carefully while engaging in potentially dngerous situations. The community garden proves to be a huge success where ultimately youth make their own decisions on what, when, where and how to plant, nurture, harvest and consume garden produce. Life lessons learned are tremendous and paramount. Elders and other teachers working with youth as history, culture, healthy nutrition, physical exercise and fun are shared is a fantastic, life-long learning accomplishment. The Horse Fun Day proves to be an enjoyable family time where youth are encouraged and horsemanship skills are honed. Both the garden and horse programs strengthen families and youth learn skills including responsibility, teamwork, self-disipline, communication, cooperation, goal setting, character building and more. Producers experience results from biological control of Leafy Spurge (mostly from flea beetles) causing a reduction in leafy spurge infestations, increased forage production on rangeland, and increased production from grazing livestock. Outlook and marketing information helped producers choose better sale opportunities based on feed availability and projected market prices. The Age and Source verification program helped livestock producers understand the steps necessary to make their operation part of the project. The 4-H youth National Science Day program has at least one student now very interested in persuing an engineering degree at NDSU after completing high school.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 04/01/09 to 03/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Banking on Strong Bones is a school enrichment program that works at getting parents involved in nutrition lessons on calcium and building strong bones for their children by providing a weekly newsletter and easy healthy snack recipes. GO RED for Women taught women how to keep their heart healthy by listening to presentations on Healthy Cooking, Smart Size Your Portions, and Cooking With Herbs. The Munch & Crunch Program for youth had sessions including a healthy snack, physical activity, and hands-on food preparation activities related to safe food handling practices and healthy eating. Students took part in the Maak Oti Summer Camp in which they participated in four strands including Agriculture, Recreation, Culture, and Science. Mini-Society was a youth entrepreneurship program which created a learning environment for youth to actively engage and create their own community to learn about government, civics, economics, and business. Fort Berthold Shooting Sports day participants enhanced their outdoor skills while learning how to shoot a rifle, muzzleloader, shotgun, and bow and arrow. A community garden was planted at the Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT) Earthlodges. Students listened to a variety of speakers talk about what kind of seeds to plant, how to prepare a garden, and what it takes to make a garden flourish from the beginning to the end. Fort Berthold Extension Service and the Fort Berthold Community College once again collaborated to put on the 8th annual Horse Fun Day at the New Town Rodeo Grounds. Eighty contestants age four to fifteen competed in events including goat tail untying, barrel racing, dummy roping, pole bending, and others. The Fort Berthold Extension Service assisted producers with the control of troublesome weeds including Leafy Spurge and Canada Thistle with the help of biological control agents. Livestock and grain producers attended a marketing update and informational meeting to learn more about the crop and livestock outlook and marketing options available to them. The Extension Service along with Fort Berthold Community College collaborated to host an Age and Source Verification meeting for local producers to attend. Producers learned what age and source can do for them and how they could participate in a project put on through the Dickinson Research Extension Center. The Extension office partnered with the TAT Game and Fish to host the 2nd annual Youth Fishing Day. Children learned the different parts of a fish, boat safety, and some basic fishing skills. The students were then able to try fishing themselves and put their education to use while fishing at Lake Sakakawea. Mountrail County Extension office and Fort Berthold Extension office worked collaboratively to bring the 2nd annual 4-H Youth National Science day to the New Town and Parshall schools. This year's theme was "Bio-Fuel Blast" and was part of National 4-H week and the National 4-H Science Day project. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Students in Banking on Strong Bones showed improvement in calcium intake, healthier beverage choices, healthy snacks and meals, increased physical activity, and showed a better understanding of the food guide pyramid and serving sizes. The Fort Berthold GO RED event allowed women to better understand their heart health and better determine a portion size that is right for them allowing them to make healthier choices. On the Munch and Crunch post-survey, about 78% of the students said they learned more about kitchen safety, 78% indicated they can prepare healthy snacks, 56% gained skills about cooking healthy meals, 56% said they are making healthier food choices when eating out, and 89% reported they learned something about table etiquette/manners. All (100%) of the children reported enjoying the program. Students who participated in the Maak Oti Summer Camp learned more about their own personal culture while participating in several different activities throughout the week which taught them lifelong leadership skills. Students attending the Mini-Society Entrepreneurship camp implemented a business themselves while at the program and some of them even continued to grow their business once the program ended. Those who attended the Shooting Sports day camp learned responsibility and the importance of following directions and listening carefully while working in potentially dangerous situations. The community garden allowed students to make decisions themselves and determine how to map out a garden which they themselves would be planting. They also learned the importance of eating healthy and how growing their own garden can help their families to save money throughout the year. The families had an enjoyable time during the Horse Fun Day while encouraging each other and having a fun day with their families. Through these activities families are being strengthened and youth are learning lifelong skills such as responsibility, teamwork, character, self discipline, communication, cooperation, goal setting, and many others. Producers continue to see results each year after implementing a biological control plan to help reduce Leafy Spurge on Fort Berthold which also means increased acreage for grazing livestock. Marketing updates have provided to be beneficial for local producers because they are now able to better understand different marketing terms and how they can implement those different options throughout the year to receive a higher profit. Livestock producers who attended the Age and Source Verification meeting better understand how they can market their cattle as age and source verified and the steps they need to take to make their operation part of the project. At the Youth Fishing Day children became more aware of the activities that are available to them and seen the kind of fun they can have while participating in outdoor recreation. The Bio-Fuel Blast led many of the students to begin thinking about careers in science and math while sparking their interest in experimenting.

Publications

• No publications reported this period