Volume 2, No. 1, Summer 2011
2011 Nevada Indian Agriculture Summit Statewide Hoop House Update Nevada 4-H Projects Landscape Trials: Native Plants “Successful Agriculture in Indian Country” Keepseagle vs. Vilsack Assistance Meetings www.unce.unr.edu
2011 Indian Agriculture Summit On April 28th and 29th the University of Nevada
Cooperative Extension hosted the 2011 Indian Agriculture and Rural Summit at John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Sparks. The conference featured a number of educational, youth and cultural programs and addressed many issues facing Native Americans in agriculture. The conference included sessions on direct marketing strategies, food safety requirements, farmto-school programs, business planning and budgeting, federal insurance and loan and grant programs, information on the Cobell and Keepseagle settlements, discussion of traditional native foods such as the Cui-ui fish, and a tour of a local livestock processing facility. The event was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the USDA Farm Service Agency, the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Indian Programs and Utah State University Cooperative Extension. Additional funding was provided by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. “The summit serves as a means for Indian tribes and individuals to come together, discuss items of common interest, become familiar with risk management strategies and learn about existing USDA programming focused on specific changes that have made these USDA programs more attractive,” said Randy Emm, Indian reservation program coordinator for Cooperative Extension. Participants can learn about a wide range of USDA programs, from lending opportunities through FSA, the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program and alternative energy programs through the USDA Rural Development program.
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Alexis Crowl getting hands on with the Cui-ui fish. (Cover) Cui-ui fillet demonstration. (Above) Color Guard, Elders discuss the traditional role of the Cui-ui fish, youth get hands on with the fish, lunch at Wolf Pack Meats processing facility in Reno. (Below)
Discover
“Our goal is to provide an opportunity for Indian tribes and the Indian people in Nevada to utilize each and every available tool to sustain agriculture on the various reservations, providing for a better way of life,” Emm said. “The youth and cultural segment will provide interesting activities and items that show a brief view of what Nevada Indian culture was like in a historical setting.”
The People of the Land workshop is designed to educate participants on Native American society as well as agricultural issues facing today’s Native Americans in the West. The seminar addressed federal Indian policies, land tenure types on reservations, irrigation and water rights issues on reservation land and tactics on implementing agricultural and natural resource programs in Native American society.
A free pre-conference workshop titled “Nevada People of the Land: Sustaining American Indian Agriculture in Nevada” was also presented at this year’s conference.
For more information contact Randy Emm at 775-316-1184. Or email him at emmr@unce.unr.edu.
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Hoop House Update
By Reggie Premo, Owyhee
Earlier this year, I had been assisting interested tribal members with the application process for the high-tunnel/hoop house conservation practice through the Natural Resources Conservation Service,. However, many applicants did not meet the criteria for approval. It was during a visit to elders Beverly & Earl Crum’s home that I was redirected in a different direction.
Assembling hoop houses, irrigation and vegetables growing. (Above) Reggie Premo, Victor Williams and Bill Counet assembling hoop house framing with crew in Owyhee.(Right)
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They informed me that in the old days sometime prior to the construction of both Wildhorse dams, that the valley here would flood during spring months & the river wasn’t as it is now running in one channel, but would meander through the valley. During summer months the water would flow to a trickle making growing any type of crops almost non-existent. They shared that many families here would
depending on the location of their homes head to where perpetual springs flowed
in the rangelands where they would plant garden plots. Some went to the south up
Fawn Creek road & Cold Springs, others went to the west to Spring Creek, still
others went up Cleveland trail, and so on. These families would go on a week long
journey to plant their garden vegetables on
buckboard wagon, once seeds were planted
someone would check on their garden crops throughout the summer months and in the fall they would go back out for a week to harvest their crops. They also shared of a
community garden in Owyhee in the area
where the old rock barn now sits, and that all people that lived in town would have a plot
in this garden and would share stories while working together, and help each other on
particular vegetable planting, caring for and harvesting methods.
Vegetables picked from Randy Emm’s hoop house in Schurz (Above)
“may our harvest be a bountiful time� In retrospect the above stories as well as the fact that very few people qualified for the NRCS funded practices, had prompted me to look into a community garden or hoop house. I went to several Tribal programs to gather interest and spoke with Marlene Thomas of the Diabetes Prevention program. She informed me she had been attempting for some time to start just such a project to promote healthy eating for her clients,
however due to her limited budget could not get this going. I informed her that there was a Western Shoshone dialogue meeting with Barrick Mines that same week and that I would go to ask if the mines would consider funding community wellness projects such as this. Long story short, although not a short process, Barrick agreed to consider funding and so began a lengthy process to get the ball rolling. I had approached
the SPT Business Council in March sharing how this venture would not
only be for specific programs but for any community members who wanted to be
involved in growing vegetables, fruits, or other sustainable crops. Barrick Mines
received the final application for donation in early June & we were finally funded in July.
(continued on page 6)
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Duckwater
Randy Emm and Victor Williams with the crew in Duckwater.
On July 12th Victor Williams, UNCE Tribal Extension for the Walker River Paiute Reservation and Bill Chounet, Silverado Ranch Supply of Yerington gave presentations on the hoop house process in the back room of the HDC during the morning and during the afternoon we constructed the 2 x 4 end walls with the assistance of the Duck Valley Housing Authority (DVHA) maintenance staff and shop area. The following two days were spent constructing (6) hoop house structures. Four of which are 33 ft. long x 14 ft. wide and built on site at the Senior
Citizens Center, the Owyhee Schools,
assisted the Yerington, Walker River,
Program. (2) structures are 84 ft. long x 14
hoop house structures, however Duck
and Presbyterian Church for the Diabetes ft. wide and were built near the DVHA
office and in the Thomas Loop subdivision near the skate park basket ball court area. Bill also gave a demonstration on how
to set up a drip irrigation system which
would provide water to each hoop house.
We at the University of Nevada
Cooperative Extension (UNCE) & the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP) are very excited
about this venture and have previously
Duckwater, and Ely Tribes with similar Valley is the only with so many at one time. Community members are more
than welcome and encouraged to be a
part of this project and this year’s growing season, to come together as a community and it is our sincerest hopes that this will prompt healthy living for all and reduce the negative impacts of processed food
more commonly referred to as “junk food,” reduce obesity, sickness, and provide for a sustainability for all in the years to come.
Ely
Getting ready to weather the storm in Ely.
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Hawthorne On July 20th a few interested
individuals gathered together to start a
committee specifically for the “community hoop house” projects. Many ideas were
presented on how we can involve more
people in growing our own food. It was
decided to hold meetings every two weeks to ensure an exciting, successful, and
bountiful growing season will result. As
with all things anew, there will be mistakes along the way, but how else will we learn?
In closing I would like to thank
the following that assisted during the
construction phase: Arloa Kelly, Brandy
Blackhat, Marlene Thomas, Tina Nino, Kevin Bacon, Jason Manning, Orlando Dick, Newton Whiterock, Raymond Thacker, Chris Cleveland, Elterese Sope, Dylan Premo, Shelly Leyva, Brian Thomas, Dean Thomas, Shealynn Dick, Rhiannon Nino, Eldon Hall, Chris Thomas, Sasha Jones, and Michelle Martinez, and if I’ve forgotten anyone, my apologies. I’d also like to thank Victor Williams, Bill Chounet, and Randy Emm, Coordinator Director of UNCE/FRTEP who could not be available for this round of the hoop house projects but has been the driving force to make this possible.
Lots of kids came out to help put up the hoop house in Hawthorne this year. Thank you, and may our harvest be a bountiful time. Reggie Premo, UNCE/FRTEP (Duck Valley Tribal Extension Representative ) For more information contact Reggie Premo at 775-784-4848, or Randy Emm at 775-316-1184. Or email them at premor@unce.unr.edu and emmr@unce. unr.edu respectively.
Schurz Victor Williams and his granddaughter Kendal prepping the anchors of a “low cost” hoop house in Schurz.
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HEad
Nevada 4-H Projects
Heart
By Steve Lewis and Frank Flavin
In today’s hectic world it is difficult for parents to prepare their children to be successful and happy in their adult life. Kids have many choices in ways to spend time such as sports, church, school activities, community service, television and the all-mighty world of video games. 4-H offers an alternative that goes beyond most youth activities and is particularly useful in reservation and rural settings. Read on and learn more about an option parents have for their kids – Nevada 4-H.
Hands
4-H in Indian Country Through partnerships between the Federally Recognized Tribes Program, tribal organizations and volunteers, 4-H is providing positive youth development in reservations throughout the West.
Health
For example Challenge is a 4-H program on the Colville Reservation in Washington State where groups enjoy adventure activities such as Low and High Ropes Course, Rock Climbing and Canoeing. The program gives an opportunity for youth groups to work together in a safe environment as they solve the challenges presented. Participants grow and learn about themselves as they strive for accomplishments previously thought impossible. Other 4-H program examples include horsemanship on the Nez Perce and Fort Hall Reservations, 4-H Afterschool on the Wind River Reservation, and 4-H STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) on the Coeur D’Alene Reservation. For more examples visit http:// www.indiancountryextension.org
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What Do Nevada 4-H Youth Gain? Nevada 4-H packages exciting activities into learning and rewarding growth. While kids are pursuing power-packed projects they are simultaneously developing skills that are helpful throughout life. This poplar program not only provides safe, healthy, free, and fun experiences but also instills life skills. Nevada 4-H produces youth who: - Learn and practice self-responsibility and social responsibility to feel accountable and in control of their lives; - Recognize when and how to make informed decisions and implement decisions to solve a problem or achieve goals; - Communicate effectively in both verbal and written form, to share thoughts and feelings which increase social competence and; - Obtain career and occupational information to help prepare for the world of work. How Does Nevada 4-H Do All This? The variety of activities is vast. In fact, a 4-H project in Nevada can be about almost any topic. If there is an adult in the community with a hobby or interest that they would like to share with youth, then local 4-H staff can help them turn it into a 4-H project! Youth may choose to enroll in any number of organized projects including, dog care, photography, woodworking, horsemanship, rabbits, reptiles, shooting sports, cooking, sewing, leather crafts, beef, sheep, goats, and swine, snowboarding, and the list goes on. Members may even pursue an individual project of their choice with the help of family, Extension staff and learning materials. The projects offered each year are
based on what the adults in each 4-H community would like
a wide array of leadership development. Project specific
responsibility in their 4-H projects. By sharing ideas and feelings (heart) youth begin to look at life’s challenges in different ways and realize that others often experience the same problems. 4-H members actually learn best by doing (hands) or getting hands-on experience. People get the most from a learning experience when they are physically engaged. Nevada 4-H teaches youth to make good living (health) choices about food and exercise, and balancing work, school, family and friends.
training. Leaders are developed into life skill coaches to help
How Do We Know 4-H Works?
to offer to youth. So imagine you could create a 4-H project
in your local community on something you, as an adult, really enjoy and think would be fun and valuable to share with the kids where you live!
Projects are lead by trained adult leaders. Through
Cooperative Extension, adult leaders undergo background checks and receive training in child abuse and neglect and curriculum is provided to the leaders along with teacher
youth grow into productive adults while pursuing projects of interest.
The 4-H motto is “I pledge my head to clearer
thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for club, my community, my
country, and my world.” Head, heart, hands, and health are the four H’s. 4-H youth learn through thinking, feeling, doing, and living. Youth learn critical thinking (head) by taking
on leadership positions, making decisions, and practicing
Every other year a survey is sent to 4-H leaders and parents to determine the impact of the program. The most recent survey results indicated many positive impacts. Impacts rated the highest include, improved communication skills, 4-H competitions/shows are useful teaching tools, quality of adult leadership skills is key to achieving a successful program, listening to youth, ensuring that youth act appropriately, making sure that the facility where we have 4-H is safe, and gaining knowledge and skills related to a project. (continued below)
4-H youth fishing near Owyhee. 4-H has a long and rich history of growing kids. Many adults, once 4-H members themselves, seek the same experience for their children. Roughly seventy percent of the parents and leaders involved in Nevada 4-H in recent surveys, were enrolled in 4-H when they were kids. These adults recognize the outstanding leadership learning quality 4-H offers and want their children to enjoy the same experience. How Do Youth Become Members? All youth 9-19 years of age are welcome to participate in 4-H. Families of 4-H members are encouraged to take part in their children’s experience. Youth must enroll each October to maintain membership. An enrollment card is completed by
the youth and a parent and submitted to the local Cooperative Extension Office. Members and parents are required to read, sign and agree to follow a Code of Conduct that specifies behavior expectations.
To join or learn more about Nevada 4-H contact Randy Emm at 775-316-1184 or emmr@unce.unr.edu
Reference: Singletary, L. and Smith, M. (2004). Nevada 4-H
statewide impact assessment. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, EB-04-01.
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Landscape trials highlight native plants that can benefit urban areas
By Heidi Kratsch, UNCE Horticulture Specialist
The Great Basin is populated with many native
plant species that are uniquely adapted to the arid, highdesert climate found in Washoe County and surrounding areas. Landscapers in our area need plants that can tough out our cold, windy winters yet stay colorful and healthy during the intense heat and sunlight of our summers. We recently completed a study of 11 native plant species that show promise for enhancing our urban landscapes, while conserving water and providing crucial habitat for bird and insect pollinators. Funded by the U.S. Forest Service through a sub-award from the Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project, this study tested the cold-hardiness and drought-tolerance of these species by growing them in common gardens located throughout Utah. Utah’s climate is similar to that of Nevada’s so our results should be relevant to urban areas here as well.
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Mountain Mahogany (Above) Photo courtesy of Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database The most promising species studied include Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), Cliffrose (Purshia mexicana), Prince’s Plume (Stanleya pinnata), Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii), Basalt Milkvetch (Astragalus filipes), Western Prairie Clover (Dalea ornata) and Searl’s Prairie Clover (Dalea searlsiae). Seeds of these species were collected at various locations and elevations across Utah. Common gardens were established in Logan and Kaysville (climates similar to Washoe County), and in Kanab (similar to Tonopah) and St. George (similar to Las Vegas). Plants were irrigated the first year to establish, then left un-irrigated in their second year. (continued on page 12)
Firecracker Penstemon (Above) Mountain Mahogany Fruit (Above Right) Prince’s Plume (Right) Cliffrose (Below)
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(continued from page 10)
Mountain Mahogany is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree that showed excellent cold- and drought-tolerance in most locations, except St. George. Although flowers are small, they are pink and attractive, and the fruits (seedheads) look like corkscrew-shaped plumes. This species provides excellent habitat for wildlife and food for deer in winter. It should be used at least 30 feet from the home because of fire hazard. Cliffrose is a medium-size evergreen shrub that is also cold- and drought-tolerant, even in the heat of St. George. Its leaves are very aromatic and its flowers are a lovely cream-white with yellow centers. The fruits are similar to that of Mountain Mahogany but its leaves are brighter green. In a home landscape, it can survive without irrigation once established and will attract birds and wildlife. Like Mountain Mahogany, it should be planted at least 30 feet from the home to avoid fire danger. Many penstemons are native to our region, but Firecracker Penstemon is particularly attractive because of its deep red flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds, and because it is so adaptable. Our seeds came from elevations as high as 11,000 feet and as low as 3,000 feet. It is perfect for use in lowwater landscapes, even close to the home.
Basalt Milkvetch is a legume (nitrogen-fixing) perennial – it makes its own fertilizer! The source of the seed was important to the survival of this species in our study. Seed that came from elevations similar to ours overwintered best. It was droughttolerant at all of our trial sites. It would make a beautiful addition to a low-water landscape, with its creamy yellow pea-like flowers that bloom in the spring and early summer. The two Dalea species that we studied were equally cold- and heat-tolerant, but plants that came from seed collected at higher elevations were larger and more vigorous. These species have large showy spikes of purple flowers that bloom throughout the summer, and provide abundant nectar for our bee pollinators. This study is important to all of us because our water resources are becoming scarce and our wild areas are disappearing, leaving little food or habitat for our wildlife. The situation is particularly critical for our pollinators (birds, bees and moths). Without adequate cover or food, pollinators migrate away or perish, leaving our food crops without a means of pollination. This means our crop yields are lower, and food prices rise. Our land is suffering from our growing population; human lives are directly tied to the health and well-being of the land and its indigenous inhabitants. Using native plants as a source of beauty for our yards means we use less water, and we provide small oases where our native birds and bees can find shelter and food.
Basalt Milkvetch (Above Right) Western Prairie Clover (Above)
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Please direct questions about this study to Heidi Kratsch at kratschh@unce.unr.edu or call her at 775-748-4848.
Removing Barriers to Successful Agriculture in Indian Country me to fulfill the role of Executive Director.
Posted by Ross Racine on July 21, 2011 at 05:57 PM EDT (reprinted from http://www.whitehouse. gov/blog/2011/07/21/removing-barrierssuccessful-agriculture-indian-country) Ed. Note: Champions of Change is a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities and helping our country rise to meet the many challenges of the 21st century. Being a part of the White House “Champions of Change” is both an honor and humbling experience. It was an honor to be in the presence of the President and humbling as there are thousands out there who have accomplished more for their communities than me. I began work for the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) 20 years ago as a Natural Resource Director which entailed the identification and solutions to regulatory barriers presented by both the Department of Agriculture and Department of Interior. In 1998, I was promoted to Director of Programs and assigned the responsibility of the day to day supervision of the 11 employees. The individual who played the leadership role in bringing about the formation of the IAC had to resign for medical reasons in 2001 and the Board of Directors selected Ross Racine, the Executive Director of the Intertribal Agriculture Council.
The IAC Board of Directors is comprised of individual Board Members who represent one of the 12 regions of Indian Country, and it is the Board of Directors that set the priorities for the overall direction of the organization as well as assign tasks to the Executive Director. For this reason, I believe that each of our Directors should play a role in the recognition of the Intertribal Agricultural Council. IAC was founded in 1987 by order of Congress to pursue and promote the conservation, development and use of Indian Country agricultural resources for the betterment of Native American people. Land-based agricultural resources are vital to the economic and social welfare of many Native American and Alaskan Tribes. The harmonies of man, soil, water, air, vegetation and wildlife that collectively make-up the American Indian agriculture community, influence our emotional and spiritual well-being. Prior to 1987, American Indian agriculture was basically unheard of outside reservation boundaries. Since that time, IAC has grown to prominence in Indian Country and among the federal government agencies and the agricultural field with which it works on behalf of individual Indian producers and Tribal enterprises. The IAC has become recognized as the most respected voice within the Indian community and government circles on agricultural policies and programs in Indian country. The IAC is a 501(c)(3) organization made up of member Tribes and provides service to the 563 federally recognized Tribes in the U.S. IAC has endeavored to remove barriers to successful Indian agriculture
and to open doors in both the Department of Agriculture and Department of Interior. The removal of barriers began with the 1990 Farm Bill in which USDA agencies were authorized to offer programs and services to individual Indians and their respective Tribal governments. In 1993, the IAC was successful in getting the Indian Agriculture Management Act passed which recognized the authority of Tribal Governments to set policy and procedures in the leasing of Indian agriculture lands and aligned those lease terms with programs of USDA. IAC has worked on every Farm Bill since 1990 in the effort to improve Indian access to programs and ensure Indian agriculture is recognized in the agriculture census processes. Once the Departments’ regulations were somewhat aligned, the IAC began providing technical assistance for improving the access and use of all USDA programs. Presently, through an agreement with the USDA Office of Tribal Relations, this educational effort continues. IAC staffs offices throughout Indian Country to provide technical assistance on the array of programs and services offered through USDA across many of its key agencies such as Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development, Foreign Agricultural Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and many others. Ross Racine is the Executive Director of Intertribal Agriculture Council. He assumed those duties in January 2001. He served as the IAC Natural Resources Director beginning in 1991, and as the IAC Director of Programs since 1999.
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***Important Legal Notice***
(please visit the website at the bottom of the page for more information) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
If You are a Native American Who Was Denied a Farm Loan or Loan Servicing by the USDA, You Could Receive Benefits from a Class Action Settlement. A federal Court authorized this Notice. This is not a solicitation from a lawyer. •
A $760 million Settlement with the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) has been reached in the Keepseagle v. Vilsack class action lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed the USDA discriminated against Native Americans by denying them equal access to credit in the USDA Farm Loan Program.
•
You may be eligible for a payment of up to $50,000 or more and forgiveness of some or all of your outstanding USDA loans if you applied for or attempted to apply for a farm loan or loan servicing from the USDA between January 1, 1981 and November 24, 1999 (see Question 4).
•
The USDA has also agreed to make some changes to its farm loan programs to help make sure that these programs meet the needs of Native American farmers and ranchers. YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THE SETTLEMENT
SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM
The only way to get money and any loan forgiveness from the Settlement.
EXCLUDE YOURSELF FROM THE SETTLEMENT
Get no benefit from this Settlement. If you want to pursue your claim on your own or want to file a claim of discrimination in another lawsuit charging the USDA with discrimination against African Americans, Women or Hispanics, you should choose this option.
OBJECT/COMMENT
Remain in the Settlement and write to the Court about any concerns you have about the Settlement.
GO TO A HEARING
Remain in the Settlement and ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Settlement.
DO NOTHING
Get no money or loan forgiveness. Give up rights to sue the USDA about the claims in this lawsuit.
• •
***Track A- Claim Form Assistance Meetings***
Date Time Location City State These rights and options – and the deadlines to exercise them – are explained in this notice.
8/11/2011 9:00AM TBA Gardnerville NV 8/12/2011 9:00AM TBA Gardnerville NV The9/6/2011 9:00AM Te-Moak, Court in charge of this case still hasWestern to decide whether toElko NV approve the Settlement. Shoshone Band-TBA 9/7/2011 9:00AM Te-Moak, Westernthe Shoshone Band-TBA Payments will be made if the Court approves Settlement andElko NV after any appeals have 9/8/2011 9:00AM Te-Moak, Western Shoshone concluded and the claims process is completed. Please be Band-TBA patient. Elko NV 9/9/2011 9:00AM Te-Moak, Western Shoshone Band-TBA Elko NV
For More Information: Call 1-888-233-5506 or Visit www.IndianFarmClass.com
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1
*KEEPSEAGLE* www.indianfarmclass.com ***(Recent release from the USDA
or loan forgiveness,” said Ms. Hipp.
regarding the Keepseagle settlement)
“Tribal leaders may want to consider
is holding a number of meetings
does not relate to claims for African
“Release No. 0321.11
advising Tribal members of the
in the coming months throughout
American, women or Hispanic
requirement to obtain and submit a
Indian Country and they will provide assistance to help Track A claimants
farmers. Those claims will be subject
completed claims package if they wish
USDA Office of Communications 202-720-4623
to participate in the Keepseagle claims
Keepseagle Settlement Claims Filing Period Opens for Native American Farmers and Ranchers
process.”
Keepseagle v. Vilsack
was a lawsuit alleging that USDA discriminated against Native American farmers and ranchers in the
Those Eligible Must File Claims No
way it operated its farm loan program.
Later than December 27, 2011
The lawsuit was settled late last year and the settlement has been approved by the court.
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2011
– Janie Hipp,
Senior Adviser to Secretary Vilsack
The filing period opened
June 29, 2011 and continues for 180
for Tribal Relations today reminded
days, until December 27, 2011.
Native American farmers and ranchers
Up to $760 million will be made
that the period to file a claim in the Keepseagle class action settlement has opened.
available in monetary relief, debt relief, and tax relief to successful claimants. There are two tracks for
Keepseagle class counsel
fill out a claims package at those meetings. The dates and times of the meetings are posted on the Keepseagle claims website: www.indianfarmclass. com. (these dates also appear in red on the previous page)
Claimant services
representatives can also be reached through calling 888-233-5506. Claimants must register for a claims package (by calling the number or visiting the website) and the claims package will be mailed to claimants. All those interested in learning more or receiving information about the claims process and claims packages are encouraged to attend a meeting and contact the website or claims
This announcement
to different processes, and information will be forthcoming in the coming months.
Under Secretary Vilsack’s
leadership, USDA is addressing civil rights complaints that go back decades, to usher in “a new era of civil rights” for the Department and to pave the way for new and stronger relationships with the farming and ranching community. In February 2010, Secretary Vilsack announced the Pigford II settlement with African American farmers, and in October 2010, he announced the Keepseagle settlement with Native American farmers. In February 2011, Secretary Vilsack announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of
“Now that the claims
claims: Successful Track A claimants
process is open, Native American
may receive up to $50,000; successful
farmers and ranchers who believe
Track B claimants may receive up to
they are entitled to funds under the
$250,000. The standard of proof for
Keepseagle settlement must file a
Track B claims is a higher standard
The call number is: 888-233-5506
facing the Department which were
claim within 180 days in order to have
than what will be applied to Track A
Claims period: June 29, 2011 to
inherited by this Administration.”
a chance to receive a cash payment
claims.
December 27, 2011
telephone number.
Hispanic and women farmers and
The website is: www.indianfarmclass.com.
ranchers and he has made it a priority to resolve all of the civil rights cases
*Cobell* www.indiantrust.com
IMPORTANT UPDATE “Cobell v. Salazar Settlement”: The United States District Court for the District of Columbia granted Final Approval for the Indian Trust Settlement at the Fairness Hearing. You can review a copy of the Order Granting Final Approval to Settlement and the Fairness Hearing Transcript on this website in Court Documents. All individuals who believe that they are entitled to participate in the Settlement as a member of the Trust Administration Class and who are required under the terms of the Settlement Agreement to submit a Claim Form must do so by mailing a properly completed and signed form to the Claims Administrator postmarked no later than September 16, 2011.
Upcoming Events: August 2011
December 2011
Gardnerville:
Nationwide: Deadline for Keepseagle Settlement Claims December 27, 2001
Keepseagle Track-A Assistance Meetings, Location TBA
Septermber 2011 Elko: Keepseagle Track-A Assistance Meetings, Location TBA Nationwide: Deadline for Cobell Settlement Claims September 16, 2011
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Randy Emm
Leilani Hanchor
Frank Flavin
Kathy Frasier
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.
Located on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation to implement the Veggies For Kids Program and other FRTEP programming.
As the Director for the Western Area, Frank oversees five county offices in Northern Nevada. He is co-director of the Nevada Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP).
Kathy coordinates workshops in risk management workshops, tribal record keeping, and tax managent. Kathy is also the coordinator for the Nevada Indian Agricultue Summit.
Walker River
Duck Valley
Reno
Pyramid Lake
Reggie Premo
Ashley Rose
Victor Williams
Jordan Lubek
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.
Ashley is located on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation to implement the 4-H afterschool and other FRTEP programming.
Victor assists with youth development and is the coordinator for hoop house construction projects statewide.
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.
Duck Valley
Duck Valley
Walker River
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.