Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) is the state's only federally recognized Tribe. Tribal lands are located throughout central Mississippi, made up of eight rural communities within five counties. The five counties are Leake, Neshoba, Winston, Kemper, and Jones. The tribe owns approximately 40,000 acres encompassing all communities with a rich array of natural resources and manufacturing facilities. Registered tribal members of MBCI to date numbers nearly 10,000 strong. The Choctaw Reservation headquarters is located in the Pearl River community located in Choctaw, MS. Audiences will encompass all eight tribal communities and registered tribal members. Special emphasis will gear FRTEP programming to tribal departments currently working in the areas of youth enrichment, natural resource management, economic development, tribal social, family & health organizations, and all tribal-based schools. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?See references in Accomplisments section How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Mass Media: Extension Impact E-Newsletter: Produced Quarterly by FRTEP, and distributed through tribal email system. E-Newsletter is distributed to more than 500 employees, encompassing all eight tribal communities. More than 100 phone calls are generated by E-Newsletter each quarter, requesting educational programs or information on topics addressed by Extension Service areas. Extension Talk Radio w/ local Kicks96 station: Implemented September 2016 to present. Radio show heard in all tribal communities and encompasses a listening audience of 500,000 residents. Only live radio show implemented bi-weekly by Extension in the State. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 4-H/Youth Programming: Choctaw Agriculture Professional Program for Students (CAPPS): The CAPPS program was implemented throughout the spring semester of 2017 implementing three educational tours. Tour destinations included the: Natchez Trace Garden Center in Kosciusko Ms., addressing floriculture careers, Noxubee National Refuge, addressing careers in forestry & US Fish and Wildlife Services, and Mississippi State University Campus, introducing prospective students to MSU faculty and facilities. CAPPS Programming introduced 17 tribal high school students to 11 different career options and educational paths to said careers. Impacts: First time 100% of CAPPS students ever entered commercial Greenhouse. Eleven of the 17 CAPPS students first time on MSU campus. Two CAPPS students verbally committed to changing their college major to educational majors they learned during the CAPPS program. Choctaw Central High School (CCHS has requested CAPPS expansion to both Fall and Spring Semesters) CAPPS students were introduced to more than ten agriculture and natural resources mentors currently employed in said careers. CAPPS brochure produced by MSU Printing Services for distribution to all potential CAPPS participants. Mississippi Choctaw Hunter's Education: Five Educational Courses administered by FRTEP agent and Choctaw Wildlife and Parks Department. Approximately 50 tribal youth successfully completed the mandatory hunter's course work with no failures recorded prior to Mississippi Hunting season. FRETP agent requested annually for all tribally based Hunter's Education course. No hunting accidents recorded by a tribal member for 2016-17 season. Choctaw Central High School High Tunnel: Completion of CCHS high tunnel renovations in December 2016. More than 100 tribal students have access to hands on learning in areas of: Botany, Earth science, and basic cultural gardening. FRTEP agent teaches all introductory CCHS classes concerning the tunnel operation. FRTEP agent partners with Youth Court Detention to educate youth in the CCHS tunnel. FRTEP partners with CCHS staff each semester to implement more than 20 hours of classroom instruction annually using the high tunnel structure and raised bed gardens. Choctaw FFA: Implemented Fall Semester of 2016, and CCHS staff ask FRTEP agent to partner with staff to operate FFA educational curriculum. Extension used by FFA as resource for classroom instruction and mentor for student learning hands on learning activities. Extension directly teaches five charter members of the tribal FFA program. FFA instructor and CCHS administration has requested Extension support for annual support for the 2017-18 school season. Choctaw Youth Conservation Corps (CYCC): FRTEP agent ask to partner with Choctaw Wildlife and Parks Department to administer CYCC for 2016 & 17 each month of June. Thirty three youth directly educated by FRTEP and Extension Specialist in multiple areas of agriculture and Natural Resources management. Extension teaches 13 separate educational topics during both 2017 and 18 CYCC programs. Wildlife/Fisheries Choctaw Cogon grass Control Program (CCCP): Multiple tribal departments trained to identify and control the invasive weed Cogon Grass, to include: Natural Resources Dept., Forestry, Dancing Rabbit Golf Course, BIA, CCHS grounds staff, and Choctaw Wildlife and Parks, educating approximately 30 tribal employees. More than 12 acres completely suppressed between 2016 -17. Mapping of cogon grass spread implemented by Choctaw real-estate, Wildlife and Parks, BIA, and Forestry department. Equipment sanitation measures adopted by all tribal departments operating dozer or tractor, such as avoiding bloomed grass, and pressure washing in designated sanitation sites. Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree (CWJ): Implemented through partnership between Choctaw Wildlife and Parks & FRTEP each September. CWJ averages approximately 700 participants annually, making it the second largest Wildlife Jamboree in Central Mississippi, and the largest public educational event on tribal land each year. Made up of more than 10 other State and Federal organizations. 2017 CWJ is planned to take place September 2017. Health Education: Choctaw Challenge (CC): Implemented October 2016. FRTEP's largest health promotion program on the Choctaw Reservation. Mississippi's only health promotion event showcasing an obstacle course and mud run. Boost in stakeholder partnerships by addition of Mississippi National Guard, and State Health Department. 2015 CC attendance was approximately 120 participants, and 2016 participation increased by 40 to more than 160 participants. Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI): Conduct at least 10 educational programs for SDPI annually. FRTEP links SDPI to MSU Health education specialist as resource educators. Between 2016 & 17 more than 100 registered SDPI members that are diagnosed as pre diabetic were educated by Extension. Establishment of Tennis as Exercise through the SDPI/FRTEP partnership, educating approximately 20 tribal members that are determined to be pre diabetic. Agriculture Choctaw Farmers Market (CFM): Extension maintains daily presence within CFM operation. FRTEP recruited two additional minority growers for surrounding communities to participate as CFM vendors. Through Extension partnership with WIC, and Natural Resource department, and additional $5000.00 was allocated through the MBCI Tribal Council to fund the CFM mobile market to rural tribal communities throughout the CFM growing season. Choctaw Fresh Produce Organic Vegetable Farms (CFP): Through Extension programming and suggestions, two tomato varieties were implemented in farm operation, and to date exceeded more than 25 pounds per plant at the Pearl River community farm harvesting approximately 17,500 lbs of fruit for 2017 growing season. Extension suggestion of using row covers for weed suppression between rows in all 16 operational tunnels has reduced man hours by at least 10 hours weekly ( as determined by CFP staff), at a savings in excess of $1000.00 each week. Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) programming by Extension specialist, is partially credited by CFP as the main reason there have been no contamination incidents.

Publications

Progress 07/01/15 to 06/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) is the state's only federally recognized Tribe. Tribal lands are located throughout central Mississippi, made up of eight rural communities within five counties. The five counties being Leake, Neshoba, Winston, Kemper, and Jones. The tribe owns approximately 40,000 acres encompassing all communities with a rich array of natural resources and manufacturing facilities. Registered tribal members of MBCI to date numbers nearly 10,000 members. The Choctaw Reservation headquarters is located in the Pearl River community located in Choctaw, Ms. The tribe has elementary schools located in all communities with the exception on the Crystal Ridge community located in Winston County. MBCI has a centrally located high school in the Pearl River community, complete with college type dormitories to house distant community students. The Tribe is reemerging agriculturally in Mississippi as one of the state's largest commercial horticulture producers with six certified organic high tunnels of an 18 house operation and tribally based Farmer's Market retailing approximately $50,000 annually to rural Choctaw residents. A high school-based greenhouse and high tunnel is now in use actively teaching new students agriculture as a cultural tie to Choctaw history and as a means to earn college degrees and obtain natural resource related careers. The tribe unfortunately is documented as the country's most unhealthy population. On the Choctaw Reservation, the prevailing impairments leading to disabilities and frequently altering independent employment success are diabetes and secondary conditions, also including substance abuse or addictions. Of the conditions listed the most serious to the tribe is chronic diabetes. More than 20.5% of tribal members of all ages are diabetic. Indian Health Services Data shows a 10% average for other tribal groups nationally, while overall US Data shows a 5% prevalence of diabetes. To address the educational needs for MBCI the Extension Service efforts are led by a grassroots Tribal Executive Advisory Board (TEAB) made up of a diverse group of male, female, and tribal leaders. The Extension based agent addresses needs for tribal agriculture enterprises, youth development (all schools and 4H), tribally or BIA operated departments, including: landscape, forestry, wildlife, housing, and health departments. A significant educational effort includes training of tribal department employees. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Educational Efforts/opportunities for training for tribal members: Classroom instruction examples: -Lunch and Learn -Special Diabetes Program for Indians -Commercial Farmer's Market meeting for Choctaw Farmer's market vendors -CAPPS youth program -Choctaw Central High School programming -Choctaw Head Start staff training -CCHS Grounds Crew trainings -Hunter Education Visual Demonstrations: -Choctaw Central High School High Tunnel and raised bed vegetable and herb planting -Choctaw Cogongrass control using herbicide application at home sites -Raised bed construction for Choctaw Head Start -Application of Pre and Post emergent herbicides for home gardeners -Field trips for youth through the Agriculture for Choctaw Empowerment and Life (Ag-CEL) program to various sites. Physical Based Education: -Tennis as Exercise for youth and adult audience through the SDPI program -Choctaw Challenge obstacle course and mud run How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results disseminated through: -Choctaw Community Newspaper bi-monthly -Extension Impact E-Newsletter for tribal email list serve -Verbally to tribal council members and advisory council volunteers What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Plans for next reporting period: -Meet with tribal advisory council members in formal meetings as well communicate with each member on a regular basis monthly. -Add additional stakeholders to as many programming efforts as possible. -Work through partnership efforts with Choctaw School and Occupational Training Center (OTC) to plan in school programming with student audiences. -Continue to implement youth programming efforts through Choctaw Agriculture Professional Program for Students (CAPPS) and Agriculture for Choctaw Empowerment and Life (Ag-CEL) youth programs. -Develop online training resource through Extension and Tribal Public Information Office for health and financial management needs. -Provide a can do attitude for any and all educational needs that need to be addressed by tribal stakeholders. -Implement programming that is appropriate for audience's educational level, either youth or adult. - Partner with other County, State, Federal, or Tribal agencies and assist with their educational and service goals to build working capital, so in return they will assist with programming efforts carried out through the FRTEP Extension office. -Continue to serve as the local link to the services, specialist, and expertise provided through Mississippi State University, and the MSU Extension Service and Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES). -Foster good working relationship with Tribal leaders and people to ensure trust remains established between MSU and the Choctaw Tribe. (This is the number one thing that must stay intact for FRTEP programming in Choctaw Mississippi). Examples include: Be on time, return phone calls, communicate clearly, do what I say will be done, and treat people with respect, etc

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Wildlife: Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree is the single largest educational event for the MBCI annually in the area of wildlife and land management. In 2015 the Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree attracted more than 1000 participants of all ages. Tribal members were exposed to educational material from State, Federal and Tribal agencies promoting sound land management practices and conducting outdoor activities in the safest possible manner. Natural Resource Management: Choctaw Cogongrass Control Program (CCGCP) trained five Tribal land management stakeholders, averaging 10 employees each, on how to identify and map tribal grounds for the invasive weed cogongrass. In 2015 alone, an additional 2 acres of the invasive weed was been identified. Tractor and implement sanitation measures were put into place to prevent additional spread. Measures included: avoiding infested areas during bloom, pressure washing tractors and implements, and chemical treatment of infested areas in spring and fall. Family and Consumer Science: Lunch and Learn Programming- An open-to-the-public educational program attracts tribal members from all tribal communities. On October 20, 2015, FRTEP promoted this program to address "Pay Day Lending Pit Falls" and attracted 20 tribal members. All attendees were shocked at the lending practices implemented by these establishments, and all agreed not to participate with these predatory businesses. Additionally, all members agreed to encourage family and friends to avoid this financial pit fall. Youth: CAPPS Youth Program- 'Choctaw Agriculture Professionals Program' for Students (CAPPS) is a new and unique program implemented by FRTEP agent in partnership with Choctaw Central High School. CAPPS targets students that score 20 or above on the ACT with goal to expose students to agriculture and natural resources professionals and career options. This program was sanctioned by school administration in November 2015. A series of field trips were implemented to introduce students to 10 different careers and professionals in related fields of agriculture and natural resource management. Health: Choctaw Challenge is a new and unique health promotion program and mud run implemented in October 2015 to educate Tribal members on dangers of living an unhealthy lifestyle as well the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. This was the first ever program implemented in the state of Mississippi solely as an educational venue. The event had 85 people pre-register and 45 sign up the day of event. The FRTEP agent partnered with State, Federal, and Tribal health agencies to provide free educational material for participants. The 2015 event is mainly for education, but did net approximately $2000.00, and plans are to continue for 2016. Horticulture: Choctaw Farmers Market- The FRTEP agent is responsible for recruiting vegetable producers to supply the WIC grant-funded farmer's market with fresh fruits and vegetables. In 2015, three minority vegetable producers were recruited from the Winston County Self Help Cooperative. These farmers were able to supply produce weekly to the market throughout the duration of the growing season, averaging $200.00 each for 10 weeks. This is in conjunction with 20 additional producers supplying the market who generate approximately $45,000 each year of fresh produce that is sold within the tribal communities. More than 90% of established producers were recruited by FRTEP agent for the Choctaw Market. Choctaw Fresh Produce - Since Choctaw Fresh Produce (CFP) started in 2012, the new tribal enterprise's intention was to become USDA Certified Organic. FRTEP agent was able to assist with this process as a resource to advise in crop planning, certification process, contacts within USDA, and training through MSU Extension Specialist in areas of organic vegetable production in high tunnels. In 2015, CFP gained USDA certified organic status and was able to market produce to the Whole Foods chain in Jackson MS, moving hundreds of pounds of produce weekly. Since becoming the only Certified Organic vegetable farm on tribal lands in the Southeast U.S., CFP has added two additional full time employees.

Publications

Progress 07/01/14 to 06/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) is the state's only federally recognized Tribe. Tribal lands are located throughout central Mississippi, made up of eight rural communities within five counties. The five counties being Leake, Neshoba, Winston, Kemper, and Jones. The tribe owns approximately 40,000 acres encompassing all communities with a rich array of natural resources and manufacturing facilities. Registered tribal members of MBCI to date numbers nearly 10,000 members. The Choctaw Reservation headquarters is located in the Pearl River community located in Choctaw, Ms. The tribe has elementary schools located in all communities with the exception on the Crystal Ridge community located in Winston County. MBCI has a centrally located high school in the Pearl River community, complete with college type dormitories to house distant community students. The Tribe is reemerging agriculturally in Mississippi as one of the state's largest commercial horticulture producers with six certified organic high tunnels of an 18 house operation and tribally based Farmer's Market retailing approximately $50,000 annually to rural Choctaw residents.. A high school based greenhouse and high tunnel is now in use actively teaching new students agriculture as a cultural tie to Choctaw history and as a means to earn college degrees and obtain natural resource related careers. Extension is actively involved with the education of both youth and adult members with all listed entities. The tribe unfortunately is documented as the country's most unhealthy population. On the Choctaw Reservation, the prevailing impairments leading to disabilities and frequently altering independent employment success are diabetes and secondary conditions, also including substance abuse or addictions. Of the conditions listed the most serious to the tribe is chronic diabetes. Extension plays a significant role with assisting the tribal based Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) implement approximately 12 educational programs annually reaching more than 100 registered pre-diabetic tribal members, not including family members of program enrollees. More than 20.5% of Choctaw tribal members of all ages are diabetic. Indian Health Services Data shows a 10% average for other tribal groups nationally, while overall US Data shows a 5% prevalence of diabetes. To address the educational needs for MBCI the Extension Service efforts are led by a grassroots Tribal Executive Advisory Board (TEAB) made up of a diverse group of tribal leaders. The Reservation based agent addresses needs for tribal agriculture enterprises, youth development (all schools and 4H), tribally or BIA operated departments, including: landscape, forestry, wildlife, housing, and health departments. A significant educational effort includes training of tribal department employees. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To ensure Tribal clientele are getting program results and information needed proactively and reactively, an open line of communication is fostered almost on a daily basis with overall advisory members and tribal leadership. This is easily accomplished due to the close working relationships with all program stakeholders. In addition to face to face contact; I urge each respective stakeholder to complete an annual evaluation form that point out strong and weak points of the programs Extension facilitates. Through this method of program evaluation; I use all feedback (negative and positive) to enhance all educational efforts. Example of feedback use: the development of cultural identity to certain programs that portray Extension as a partner, not an outsider program. To ensure program quality of educational programming in the areas established with the tribe, it takes additional support from University staff, Extension Specialist and other agencies which assist in the dissemination of educational materials. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Establish an annual health fair in conjunction with a statewide promoted 2.7 mile running and challenge event, termed the Choctaw Challenge. Choctaw Challenge will encompass all tribal, state, and federal health organizations including: Special Diabetes Program for Indians, Choctaw Diabetes Prevention Program, Mississippi Health Department, and Diabetes Foundation. This event's planning process was done between, January 2014 through June 2015. Statewide advertisements will be conducted from July through October 2015. The goal of Choctaw Challenge is to promote a healthy lifestyle to the Tribe as well as the state. This educational event is expected to become an annual tribally sanctioned event. This will be the first event of this nature on Choctaw land. The event is scheduled to take place October 30, 2015.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Ag-CEL- Agriculture for Choctaw Empowerment and Life is a youth program Extension created for tribal youth groups to introduce them to agriculture and/or natural resource related career or educational options available to all Mississippians including Native Americans. Ag-CEL has been incorporated into the CCHS Earth Science curriculum annually educating more than 60 high school students with a hands on learning experience. Ag-Mentors- Agriculture Mentors is a program partnered with the Choctaw Youth Court Services to create specifically for youth detained by the Youth Court to assist with already established rehabilitation programs in place by the tribe. This program is modeled after the Ag-CEL format, which takes youth to on-site agriculture or natural resource related businesses or destinations, with an added layer to the program. The additional layer is the fore-mentioned "mentor" aspect. The program is designed not only to educate youth about agriculture and natural resources, but mainly introduce these at risk youth to positive adult influences in which they can spend time with and learn about the mentor's path to success in life. Ag-Mentors program hosted 17 youth from the Choctaw Youth Court Services during the construction of school based raised bed garden and High Tunnel projects, as well as a horse riding clinic at the West Point 4H Equine facility. Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree- The jamboree evolved from a simple wildlife meeting stared in 2000 with only 15-20 participants each year until 2009 when I formed a partnership with the Choctaw Wildlife and Parks department and named it Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree. With this program now being identified as a Tribal/MSU program, the participation skyrocketed from 20 local hunters; to more than 1000 participants form all tribal communities encompassing all age groups. 2014 Extension partnered with the Tribal Boys and a Girls Club which boost attendance over 1000 making it the largest show within a five county radius with the exception on the Neshoba County event. The Choctaw Fresh Produce (CFP) agricultural enterprise is a direct result of Extension programming. Through educational trainings for Choctaw Farmers' Market Producers, the concept of "High Tunnels" was introduced to tribal leaders. With this information the Tribe applied and received a $900,000.00 grant to construct 18 high tunnels, and start the first tribal agricultural enterprise. Senator Roger Wicker mentioned this impact in the 2014 graduation ceremony. Choctaw CSA (Community Supported Agriculture): was an addition to the CFP program that was introduced by Extension programming. This programming was implemented especially for CFP. This concept was introduced to by Extension to ensure the tribal people will have access to this locally based enterprise's produce as well as add revenue to the fledgling enterprise. Choctaw Fresh produce had to limit the first CSA to 60 participants to ensure all orders could be filled. The first CSA netted approximately $9500.00 the first season, while providing fresh fruits and vegetables to 60 families in need of nutritious food. Choctaw Cogon Grass Control Program (CCCP): is a program introduced to the tribe through my effort to unite tribal departments to aid in the suppression of the spread of cogon grass. Since the initial effort by my office and University staff, I've developed a partnership with the tribally based NRCS office and enlisted additional support from this agency. I also partnered with tribal real-estate division to develop a mapping system for a record of progress of CCCP, and tribal information. Through CCGCP all eight tribal communities have been found to be infected with cogon grass. To date, more than 15 acres of cogon grass has been documented and more than 30 tribal employees have been educated how to identify, and report to supervisors for mapping purposes. Also, The Reservation based agent applied for herbicide through the Mississippi Bureau of Plant Industry to jump start CCGCP's effort to control this invasive and received $1200.00 of imazapyr to add to the tribal contributions. All 15 acres of documented cogon grass is scheduled to be treated late summer (2015). Until this educational effort, no tribal departments had any measures in place to wash equipment, or budget for this ongoing infestation concern. As of now, all tribal equipment is washed thoroughly before site relocation, and employees avoid mowing infested areas after blooming Tennis as Exercise: Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and Extension partnered to implement an exercise program using the sport of tennis. Tennis is not a traditional sport played by the Choctaw people, but is a form of exercise that all family members can participate.

Publications

Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience is the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Field trips were organized off reservation to a greenhouse operation and a coal mine. Classroom instruction was provided on soil testing technology. Weekly radio broadcasts are made covering a variety of agricultural and family and consumer science-related topics. A Tribal Wildlife Jamboree is conducted yearly. Programs were conducted for community clubs. Wildlife enhancement trainings were conducted. Garden demonstration sites were maintained in each community. An invasiveaquatic weed identification program was conducted for tribal departments. Gardening and health programs were conducted for diabetes patients. The Youth Opportunity Program was used to introduce youth to careers in agriculture in forestry. Food safety training was conducted for the Choctaw Fresh Produce program. Golf course management was taught. Crop scouting and integrated pest management was taught. Field days were held for several horticultural programs. Choctaw Wildlife Jamboree was held. Tennis activities were held. Cogon grass identification and control was taught. Green Re-Entry program was used to mentor youth in agricultural activities. Horse management clinic was conducted for tribal riding club. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Information has been provided to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians through tv and radio broadcasts, telephone contacts, face-to-face individual conversations, educational presentations to groups face-to-face or via interactive video, email, social media, and articles in tribal publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Needs assessment and utilization of key partnerships. Information from the TEAB members will be solicited informally weekly and monthly as needed and formally biannually. Design programs…..unique to the Tribe. Agriculture for Choctaw Empowerment and Life (Ag-CEL) was created for MBCI high school students and integrated into the plan of work for the junior and senior high school curriculum. Field trips and in-class instruction will occur in July, 2014, and February, 2015. A partnership with the Tribal Youth Court has resulted in a program called Ag-Mentors. This program exposes detention center youth to positive agricultural mentors with a message of education, work ethic, and morality. Field trips and mentoring will occur as requested by the Youth Court. MBCI is pursuing a grant to help fund the Ag-Mentor program. Choctaw Iron Mind (CIM) will partner with the Tribal Recreation, Wildlife and Parks, and Diabetes Prevention departments to create a tri-sport activity involving biking, jogging, and swimming. A three hour short-course on healthy lifestyles must be completed before MBCI members are eligible to participate. This program will be initiated with the short-course in October, 2014, with activities to follow upon successful completion of the short-course. The Choctaw Fresh Produce program utilizes high tunnels with the goal of supplying locally grown produce to tribal members through a CSA and farm to school program. FRETP Agent will assist with product selection in late summer 2014 and late winter 2015. Cogon grass mapping has resulted in identification of 31 locations. MBCI has allocated $250.00 per acre for at least 50 acres annually, and donation of herbicide will allow for treatment of 15 acres. Treatment will begin in September, 2014. A second treatment will occur in early April (prior to flowering), 2015. Quarterly health programming will continue in all communities. Media submissions. FRTEP Agent will continue to submit articles to the MBCI Community News bimonthly and to the local radio station biweekly. Develop a social media outlet. A FRTEP MBCI Facebook page will be implemented by August, 2014. Conduct at least four herbicide demonstrations. This program has not been implemented due to budget reductions. It will begin as soon as funding permits. Conduct quarterly food production and safe handling programs for the Choctaw Fresh Produce department. July 2014-Fall Product Selection and Source Program; November 2014-Safe Handling of Produce Program; February 2015-Product Selection and Source Workshop; April 2015-Pest Management Program. Creation of Tribal Garden Club. Too few MBCI members have expressed an interest at this time. Garden Expo. Recruitment of stakeholders is ongoing. A committee will be formed from that group of stakeholders in November, 2014. Planning will occur bimonthly during 2015. The initial Expo will occur in March, 1016.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A need's assessment was done with the TEAB to identify programming needs. Additional input is solicited through frequent face-to-face interation. Respect is given to tribal culture when implementing programming. Evaluations have been given at the conclusion of the turf management program and the Choctaw Fresh Produce programs. Several field days have been conducted to showcase projects and engage tribe members. Field trips to a greenhouse operation and a coal mine were provided. Agent worked with the Green Re-Entry program to mentor youth in agriculture. Seventy-eight educational programs were provided. The Wetlands Discovery classroom is in use and maintained. Herbicide demonstrations have been used in the community gardens. Several programs related to food safety and production have been provided. The agent has been active with both the traveling Farmer's Market and the Choctaw Fresh Produce program. Crop scouting and integrated pest management programs have been conducted. Information on potential crops has been provided. Raised bed gardening programs were presented. Annual grower's meeting was conducted.

Publications