Volume 3, No. 2, Fall 2012
Youth Summer Worker Update-2 Pyramid Lake Tribal Hoop House-3 “Walipini”: Underground Greenhouse-4 USDA Updates-6
www.unce.unr.edu
Alex was hired through Mineral County UNCE under Staci Emm’s program as a Youth Summer Worker for a 90 day appointment to work at the Schurz Hoop House and Community Garden Project. Alex is 16 years old and will be a junior at Yerington High School this fall. She enjoys playing basketball, camping with her family, riding quads and hanging out with her friends. Alex began work on June 1st and she enjoyed her job planting vegetables and flowers, keeping the garden weed free and watching her garden grow. Her job ended on August 10th, however was cut two weeks short due to a quad accident. She is looking forward to next summer when she can hopefully work with the program again.
Alexandria Williams Youth Summer Worker 2012 NICE-2
Pyramid Lake Tribal Hoop House Reprinted from Numuwaetu Nawahana, Pyramid Lake Tribal Newspaper By Della John, Where does most of our money go? After your basic shelter, some say your money goes to food and fuel. If you could grow your own food, you would be able to save money and if you grow it safely, when eaten will be better for your health. So in an effort to create individual self sufficiency and learn about safe food production, the Tribe provided training and “hands on” projects, our hoop houses. Hoop houses extend the growing season and provide protection from the wind. They come in all sizes, depends on what works for you. Through the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Native Programs, Washoe County Extension and Tribal volunteers, our Hoop Houses were put up and are currently growing crops. Randy Emm, Victor Williams, Sarah Chvilicek and Kathy Frazier were very instrumental in conducting the training and acquiring the building materials. Tribal maintenance and PUD water teams prepared the water systems for proper irrigation. Natchez students from the
“Veggies for Food” program and the Headstart students planted and care for the Wadsworth Hoop House. The Frazier family of Nixon started plants and the John and Patrick family of Wadsworth laid soil and planted the plants and Heirloom seeds (donated by Social Services) in the Nixon hoop house in Nixon. Squash, corn and beans have to be grown outside the hoop house because they will flourish inside and choke out all the other plants. If you want to put your plants in the Hoop House, it can be done. It requires a time commitment to take care of it, watering and weeding and rotating crops and harvesting. Please visit the hoop houses and see for yourself, how awesome it can be to grow your own food. If you want to build a hoop house for yourself, you can get the information and if you purchase the materials required, the group can come to your place and help you to put it up. Contact the Tribal Administrator for more information.
Our New Logo!
Chard
Corn
The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension NICE team has a new logo! Artist Ron Oden designed the new logo which represents all of the Nevada tribes. Be on the lookout for our new graphics on all future UNCE Native Programs materials.
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EQUIPMENT: -Hammer, nails, screws
-Backhoe and/or Loader -Shovels -Battery operated drills and saw -Tape Measure -Level -Cutting Torch and grinder An 8 foot deep hole is excavated by backhoe.
GOALS:
-Expand our existing hoop house project -Grow year round -Reduce the effects of the wind -Grow in places having a short growing season (Duck Valley and Yomba) -Develop a modified version (Three feet into the ground)
MATERIALS: By digging this deep, the ground remains a constant temperature year round.
-Railroad Crossing timbers -3’ x 14’ Metal Sheeting (Rigid and thicker than used for roofing etc.) -Lumber 2x12’s, 2x4’s, and 2x6’s (Roof Frame) -Plastic covering for roof allowing sunlight (Prefer rigid covering)
Educate
Walipini This summer the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Native Programs began experimenting with a new type of green house called a Walipini. This is no ordinary greenhouse though, unlike the hoop house structures that we have put up across the state, this one is designed to withstand the high winds of the Nevada desert and provide a constant internal temperature year roud! Why you ask?
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Because, it’s 8 feet UNDERGROUND!
The Walipini design is adapted from previous experiences with hoop houses that have trouble in harsh environments. This one is being installed on Randy Emm’s ranch in Schurz where violent winds destroyed a previously constructed hoop house. Still under construction, this new take on agricultural production will hopefully be operational by December. For more information contact Randy Emm at 775-316-1184. Or email him at emmr@unce.unr.edu.
Discover Duck Valley Hoop House Update
By Leilani Hanchor,
Growing season here on the Duck Valley Reservation has been a challenge due to the ever changing climate. Damaged hoop houses from snow fall put an end to the growing season over the winter months, but once the Hoop Houses were put back up and together in the spring did we finally get some seeds in the ground. Rhiannon Nino, who is head of the Duck Valley Hoop House and Garden Initiative (DVHHIG), invited Ray Johnson who is owner of the Custom Organic Gardens Farm out of Silver Springs, Nevada to come and teach a 4 day workshop on growing in the Hoop House. The workshop consisted of how to plant seedlings, transplant, winter/fall and spring/summer crops, companion planting just to name a few. Ray was able to go to help put seeds into the ground in 3 community Hoop Houses and also visit a few residential Hoop Houses, was pretty impressed with the folks who had been growing. The time that Ray spent here was very valuable, with the information he gave and left for us to continue to grow inside the Hoop House, and so far the cold season crops are doing well. Thank you Ray Johnson!
Above: Lilli, Noah and Gage Johnson planting seeds in the school hoop house. Bottom left: Makenna Thorpe and her dad Justin Thorpe. Bottom right: broccoli, carrots, squash, brussels sprouts, sunflower, peppers, spinach and lettuce growing.
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“Secretary Vilsack Names Members to the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching” (WASHINGTON D.C., May 24, 2012) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of members to the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching, a committee created to advise him on ways to eliminate barriers to participation for Native American farmers and ranchers. The Council is being appointed as part of the Keepseagle settlement. “The Council for Native American Farming and Ranching will help Native governments, businesses, farmers and ranchers and tribal governments partner with USDA to create jobs, drive economic growth and strengthen tribal communities,” Vilsack said. Keepseagle v. Vilsack was a lawsuit alleging that USDA discriminated against Native American farmers and ranchers in the way it operated its farm loan program. The Obama Administration worked to settle the lawsuit in 2010 and the settlement was subsequently approved by the court. The Council will suggest changes to Farm Service Agency (FSA) regulations and also provide internal guidance or propose measures that would promote the participation of Native American farmers and ranchers in all other USDA programs and support government-to-government relations between USDA and tribal
governments. The Council is a discretionary advisory committee established under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of the settlement agreement. Those appointed to the Council include: Gilbert Harrison, Rancher, (Navajo Nation), Shiprock, N.M.; Henry Holder, Farmer/Rancher, (Choctaw Nation), Soper, Okla.; Michael Jandreau, Tribal Chairman, (Lower Brule Sioux Tribe) Lower Brule, SD; Gerald Lunak, Natural Resources Director, (Blackfeet Nation), Cut Bank, Mont.; Jerry McPeak, Farmer/Rancher and State Legislator, (Muscogee Nation), Warner, Okla.; Lance Morgan, CEO of HoChunk, Inc., (Winnebago Tribe of Neb.), Winnebago, Neb.; Angela Sandstol, Natural Resources and Conservation official, (Native Tribe of Tyonek), Tyonek, Alaska;Edward Soza, Farmer/Rancher, (Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians), Banning, Calif.; Mary Thompson, Farmer/Rancher, (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), Cherokee, N.C.; Sarah Vogel, Civil Rights Attorney and former Agricultural Commissioner for North Dakota, Bismarck, N.D.; Mark Wadsworth, Natural Resources/Range Management, (Shoshone-Bannock Tribes), Blackfoot, Idaho. Four (4) USDA officials are also appointed to the Council: Dr. Joe Leonard, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights;
Janie Simms Hipp (Chickasaw Nation), Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Tribal Relations; Bruce Nelson, Administrator, Farm Service Agency; Chris Beyerhelm, Director, Farm Loan Programs, Farm Service Agency. Members of the Council are appointed for two-year terms by the Secretary. The appointees include: Native American (American Indian and Alaska Native) farmers or ranchers; representatives of nonprofit organizations that work with Native farmers and ranchers; civil rights professionals; educators; tribal elected leaders; senior USDA officials; and other persons the Secretary deems appropriate. The Council for Native American Farming and Ranching will provide guidance that will ensure that all Native American eligible applicants for USDA programs are served in an equal and fair manner. It will enable USDA to enhance business opportunities for Native American farmers and ranchers, tribal governments and the tribal communities they serve, and those interested in improving tribal economies through food and agriculture production.
“Two Nevada Tribes Awarded Rural Business Enterprise Grant Funds” (CARSON CITY, June 26, 2012) This week USDA announced the selection of 27 projects in 14 states to support small emerging businesses in Native American communities. Over $3.2 million in grants were awarded to support tribal projects that finance the development of small and emerging rural businesses. Two Nevada tribes will receive funds from the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program as a result. The Wells Band of the TeMoak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians will receive $52,800 to conduct a financial and market feasibility study and business plan for a Holiday Inn Express on tribal lands that would be wholly owned by the Wells Band Economic Development Enterprise. The total project cost is $70,400. If devel-
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oped, the hotel would support an estimated 16 new jobs. The Moapa Band of Paiutes in southern Nevada will receive $65,000 to purchase a bulldozer that will be leased to the Moapa Paiute Farm for the Tribe’s wood waste recycling operations. Tipping fees are charged to construction companies to offload scrap lumber, and then the wood is recycled and sold for a variety of purposes. Over the past three years, the Tribe has expanded its business operations, using three separate Rural Business Enterprise Grants for a total of $272,154. The first year, the Moapa Farm purchased a grinder, the second year a truck trailer and screen, and this year the Moapa Farm will purchase a bulldozer to make wood management activities more efficient. The pro-
cess allows the Tribe to grind wood waste up into three grades of wood fiber, which is then used to make compost or biofuels. Anthony Frank, the Moapa Farm manager, said the business operations have grown to the extent that the Moapa Farm, which initially had no employees, now has seven tribal members who work in wood procession. “Three years ago we were just trying to make compost to enhance the soils for the farm,” said Frank. “Now, we’ve ended up making a business of it.” Contacts: Kelly Clark/USDA RD Special Projects/Public Affairs Specialist Kelly.clark2@nv.usda.gov (775) 887-1222 x130
“USDA Announces Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers” (WASHINGTON D.C., August 8, 2012) Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today announced the award of 70 grants to tribes, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations across the country to conduct training, outreach and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and landowners. The awards are being made through the Outreach Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) Competitive Grants Program, known as the “2501 program.” “USDA continues working to help improve the success of minority farmers and ranchers in today’s agricultural econ-
omy,” said Vilsack. “These grants provide crucial assistance to help institutions who are helping American producers build capacity and increase profitability, and thereby create stronger rural communities.” As authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, the grants awarded today will bring $19 million in new and additional funding to programs and organizations to bolster assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. Grants will enable recipients to work with prospective farmers as they acquire, build and operate farms and ranches, revitalize the rural economy, and create new, sustainable economic opportunities in the region
and nation. Recipients include new awardees and qualifying programs and organizations that have previously benefited from Department assistance. New Fiscal year 2012 awards: Nevada awarded $285,903. Board of Regents, NSHE, University of Nevada, Reno: Offer one-on-one outreach and assistance through training in Indian land tenure and water rights issues on reservations that can limit the ability for American Indian farmers to qualify for USDA programs.
“USDA outreach meetings open doors for new, underserved customers: FSA, NRCS and RD See Increased Requests for Service” (RENO, August 14, 2012) USDA Directors for the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and USDA Rural Development have been holding community meetings in some of the most rural areas of Nevada to make residents aware of their programs and services. To date, meetings have been conducted in Round Mountain, Ely, and Fallon, and tribal meetings have been held in Fallon, Wells, Battle Mountain and Elko. USDA officials say the results have been worthwhile. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeing an increase in requests for assistance from beginning, limited resource and socially disadvantaged producers, including women. “This year, we have received applications from 168 historically underserved producers and we were able to approve 61 of them, or 36 percent of the requests,” said Bruce Petersen, NRCS state conservationist. “The average contract awarded to historically underserved producers was $39,600, and
we obligated approximately $1.1 million or roughly 20 percent of our state allocation of $5.4 million,” he added. NRCS works with agricultural producers to implement conservation measures on private and public lands. “Our high tunnel program is very popular with beginning and small farmers,” said Petersen. It’s hard to tell how many of these requests for assistance are a direct result of our public meetings, but we were able to meet face-to-face with customers and that’s worthwhile,” said Petersen. “The contacts have been successful in many ways,” said USDA Rural Development Director Sarah Adler. “We are touching base with our rural customers and learning more about obstacles to service, and discovering ways to improve our programs. We are getting the word out about all the USDA programs and services that are available, and our customers seem to appreciate that.” USDA Rural Development’s Housing Program is on track to break $100 million in investments for rural home loans this year, a 48 % increase over FY
2011.Affordable low interest loans have been provided to 646 Nevada families this fiscal year. The USDA Rural Development Business Program has invested over $8 million in guaranteed loans to rural businesses. The FSA has provided nearly $9 million in direct loans, farm loans and direct counter cyclical payments to Nevada farmers. FSA State Director Clint Koble says the agency is now providing 33.9% of all farm loans to Socially Disadvantaged Americans, up from 23.8% three years ago. Rural Youth Loans are very popular and loan applications for that program more than tripled in the last three years. “One of our primary concerns is to maintain a quick approval process despite the large number of new loan applications with a small staff,” Koble said. For more information on the USDA programs, go to www.USDA.gov
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“USDA Announces $14 Million Available for Value-Added Producer Grants� (CARSON CITY, Aug.15, 2012) Agricultural producers who want to generate new products from existing commodities or create and expand marketing opportunities might be interested in the grant funding available from USDA through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Approximately $14 million in competitive grant funds for FY 2012 is available to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities. For instance, a berry farmer could use the VAPG funds for processing and marketing jam, or a tomato farmer could use the grant funds to develop a marketing campaign for a new salsa.
Awards may be made for either economic planning or working capital activities related to the processing and/or marketing of valued-added agricultural products. The maximum grant amount for a planning grant is $100,000 and the maximum grant amount for a working capital grant is $300,000. Beginning farmers or ranchers, socially-disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative, or a mid-tier value chain will have priority scoring for the funds as defined in the program regulation. There is a matching funds requirement of at least $1 for every $1 in grant funds provided by the agency. Matching funds must be available at the time of application and
may be in the form of cash or eligible inkind contributions. Application materials are available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ VAPG.html. To submit an electronic application, follow the instructions for the VAPG funding announcement on http://www. grants.gov. To submit a paper application, send it to the Nevada State Office at 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703-5146, (775) 887-1222/TDD 7-1-1. Applications must be received by October 15, 2012. For more information contact the USDA Rural Development State Office, Michelle Kelly, at (775) 887-1222, Ext. 118.
www.facebook.com/NativeProgramsUNCE
Randy Emm
Frank Flavin
Reggie Premo
Randy is the Indian Reservation Program Coordinator at UNCE. His programming focuses on providing farmers and ranchers with information and resources designed to improve organization and operation of tribal lands.
As the Director for the Western Area, Frank oversees four county offices in Northern Nevada. He is co-director of the Nevada Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP).
Reggie is the program facilitator for the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program funded by CSREES to assist Native American farmers and ranchers to access the various USDA program offerings.
Walker River
Reno
Duck Valley
Kathy Frazier
Pyramid Lake
Kathy coordinates workshops in risk management workshops, tribal record keeping, and tax management. Kathy is also the coordinator for the Nevada Indian Agriculture Summit.
Victor Williams
Leilani Hanchor
Jordan Lubek
Victor assists with youth development and is the coordinator for hoop house construction projects statewide.
Leilani is located on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation to implement the Veggies For Kids Program and other FRTEP programming.
Jordan educates on a variety of new practices for community sustainability and planning. His programming focuses on the use of geospatial data and technology to better improve productivity and communication in a changing global environment.
Walker River
Duck Valley
Reno
www.unce.unr.edu The University of Nevada, Reno is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation in any program or activity it operates. The University of Nevada employs only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.