Back to All Projects

Located in the high desert of northern Nevada, the 450-square mile Duck Valley Reservation straddles the state line between Nevada and Idaho and is home to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe. The tribal headquarters is located in Owyhee, which is 100 miles north of Elko, Nevada and 100 miles south of Mountain Home, Idaho.

Activities

Farming and ranking are the main sources of income for the more than 2,000 tribal members with 12,000 acres dedicated to farming, ranching and other agricultural use and 269,000 acres used for grazing cattle and horses. The Duck Valley FRTEP extension program is focused on agriculture, youth development, and local and traditional food supply. Extension agents work with farmers and ranchers on financial and production risk management, local food production through the hoop house program, youth development in Veggies for Kids and RezRIDERS, and statewide participation in the Nevada Tribal Advisory Council.

Highlights

MEASURING IMPACT

• “…what’s been most helpful, is that the Extension office here serves as a resource to people of all ages in our community. They provide us with a lot of knowledge. It’s very specific to our community, so it fits our needs whether its 4-H, livestock, or agriculture.”   “…the simple fact that [because of help from Extension] I’ve been able to change traits of my cattle with the AI-ing and make a stronger breed out of my cattle. That all comes back to marketing, too, because a better cattle brings in better prices.”

FRTEP programs have had a major impact on individuals, families and tribal communities. Just how much impact has now been quantified thanks to a research project that used Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) and content analysis. The Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) engaged in a joint collaboration with an evaluation team and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center to measure the long-term impacts of the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP) serving the Duck Valley Reservation. Click the link below to read the report.

Read the report

Hoop House program

In the past, cattle and horses have traditionally been the primary livelihood for the Duck Valley Shoshone community, but the community has evolved from concentrating on livestock to developing a hoop house program. This effort has resulted in more community engagement with a new grower/farmer audience.  As of August 2020 there were 22 hoop houses in Duck Valley, including six community units and 16 individual family units with more in progress. 

RezRIDERS

Reducing Risk through Interpersonal Development, Empowerment, Resiliency and Self-Determination (RezRIDERS) is a program for adolescents that focuses on core values, optimism, self-determination and self-regulation. The two primary goals of the program are to reduce adolescent substance use through self-regulation and to reduce symptoms of depression. The program has been temporarily suspended for health and safety reasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veggies for Kids

The Veggies for Kids program supports healthy eating by promoting increased intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, water and nutrient-dense beverages. It also increases appreciation for, and use of, healthy traditional Native American and Hispanic foods while providing an introduction on how to grow vegetables. This is an in-school program for kindergarten through 3rd grade that is based in the Owyhee Schools which are part of the Elko County School District.

Veggies for Seniors and Seniors Eating Well

Duck Valley FRTEP agents are now establishing a program that will supply fresh fruits and vegetables to senior citizens ages 75 and older. Fruits and vegetables are being locally sourced and will be distributed to eligible residents. The program will begin when it is safe to do so.

 

Back to All Projects

Located in central Nevada about two hours drive southeast of Carson City, The Walker River Reservation is home to the Walker River Paiute Tribe. Most of the reservation’s 530 square miles is utilized for livestock

Activities

The Walker River FRTEP program is focused on agriculture, youth development and senior health and wellness. This includes the Walker River Food Sovereignty Project, multiple youth development programs, Veggies for Seniors, and statewide participation in the Nevada Tribal Advisory Council.

Highlights

MEASURING IMPACT

• “…our FRTEP office is right on the campus of the school here. So, the kids just come right into her classroom for the different programs, … like it’s just another classroom.” 

• “”I think she’s [the agent’s] done wonderful. I think the most impactful that I’ve heard besides the Rez Riders is the senior program. Just incorporating new, fresh ideas of food sovereignty  and how we can sustain ourselves because we are a food desert out here. I just love the collaboration of the school and the programs and all the experts that are at the table on how we can work together.”

FRTEP programs have had a major impact on individuals, families and tribal communities. Just how much impact has now been quantified thanks to a research project that used Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) and content analysis. The Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) engaged in a joint collaboration with an evaluation team and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center to measure the long-term impacts of the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP) serving the Walker River Reservation. Click the link below to read the report.

Read the report

Food sovereignty project

In the past, cattle and horses have traditionally been the primary livelihood for the Walker River Tribe, but the community has evolved from concentrating on livestock to developing a hoop house program. The Walker River food sovereignty project has constructed four hoop houses on the reservation. The program encourages residents to grow their own gardens and assists with irrigation systems and by providing seeds to community members.

Veggies for Kids

The Veggies for Kids program supports healthy eating by promoting increased intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, water and nutrient-dense beverages. It also increases appreciation for, and use of, healthy traditional Native American and Hispanic foods while providing an introduction on how to grow vegetables. Students also participate in hands-on activities that teach them how to prepare and cook healthy meals. This is an in-school program for kindergarten through 3rd grade that is based in the Schurz Elementary School.

Agriculture and Traditional Foods Field Trip

Schurz Elementary School students participate in field trips led by tribal extension agents to learn about agriculture by visiting Perrazzo Brothers Dairy Farm in Fallon, Nev. They learn about the various types of feed used to assist the cows in producing milk three times a day as well as the history of the farm. The farm has 1,100 dairy cows.

4-H Camp

Nevada offers three area camps at the Nevada State 4-H Camp in Lake Tahoe. Teens are selected and trained to be counselors for residential and day camps that provide educational program for youth through hands-on, experiential learning. Leadership skills that are given major emphasis include:

• Understanding self and character-building skills
• Communicating and relating to others
• Problem solving and decision making
• Managing resources
• Working with others
• Environmental stewardship

RezRIDERS

Reducing Risk through Interpersonal Development, Empowerment, Resiliency and Self-Determination (RezRIDERS) is a program for adolescents that focuses on core values, optimism, self-determination and self-regulation.  The program includes lesson-based instruction on mental health and the promotion of positive mental health practices. The two primary goals of the program are to reduce adolescent substance use through self-regulation and to reduce symptoms of depression.

High school participants perform community outreach projects to improve their communities. As an incentive to participate, students have the opportunity to take part in extreme sports activities such as rock climbing and skiing that most youth on the reservation would not otherwise be able to do.

Think First Stay Safe

Think First Stay Safe is a child protection program for 1st-graders. The program is funded primarily by the State of Nevada and is implemented at Schurz Elementary School. The eight-week program teaches children how to protect themselves from sexual abuse and offers parents an opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns.

Veggies for Seniors

The Veggies for Seniors program delivers locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables for up to 13 weeks to older reservation residents. The program provides weekly deliveries as well as healthy recipes to help seniors prepare meals.

Mineral County Healthy Aging

The Mineral County Healthy Aging program is comprised of the Stay Strong Stay Healthy (SSSH) and Seniors Eating Well (SEW) programs which were implemented on the Walker River Reservation through a collaboration with Clark County. The program also provides an eight-week exercise program for older and sedentary adults as well as healthy cooking classes. Seniors participate in food demonstrations and receive recipes to promote healthy eating without sugars and added salt. Home-bound seniors receive a monthly newsletter that includes health tips and healthy recipes.

Back to All Projects

Created in 1859, the Pyramid Lake Reservation is located approximately 35 miles northeast of Reno in northwestern Nevada. About 25 percent of the Reservation’s 742 square miles is occupied by Pyramid Lake, which is about 27 miles long and 11 miles wide.

Activities

The reservation economy is primarily livestock production with some hay production with some tribal and school district  employment. There are 366,000 acres dedicated to livestock grazing with 1,093 acres in irrigated hay pasture and forage. Tribal fishing and recreation enterprises also support the economy along with sand and gravel mining leases. The Pyramid Lake FRTEP extension program is focused on agriculture, youth development and senior health and wellness. Extension agents work with farmers and ranchers on financial and production risk management; local food production through the hoop house program; youth development in Veggies for Kids, 4-H Camp and RezRIDERS; Veggies for Seniors; and statewide participation in the Nevada Tribal Advisory Council.

Highlights

MEASURING IMPACT

• “The FRTEP program is the basis for getting new funding and adopting new programs and concepts. FRTEP was instrumental in bridging those USDA programs so you could access those programs more and learn about them” 

• “Without the FRTEP program none of this [hoop house project] would have happened. The whole family has been involved in the hoop house, really. My granddaughter likes to come out and help me with the gardening. My husband comes out and he just can’t believe the growth of the plants.”

FRTEP programs have had a major impact on individuals, families and tribal communities. Just how much impact has now been quantified thanks to a research project that used Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) and content analysis. The Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) engaged in a joint collaboration with an evaluation team and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center to measure the long-term impacts of the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP) serving the Pyramid Lake Reservation. Click the link below to read the report.

Read the report

Hoop house program

In the past, livestock has been the primary livelihood for people on the Pyramid Lake Reservation, but the community has evolved from concentrating on livestock to developing a hoop house program that will help to increase the supply and intake of fresh fruits and vegetables to promote healthier lifestyles for residents. The program has begun construction of eight 20 x 20-foot hoop house units in 2020. Extension agents are helping with the purchase of materials and supplies to build the hoop house units along with organizing the construction, ongoing monitoring and training. They’ll also organize farmer’s markets to sell excess production if hoop house growers and other community producers desire.

RezRIDERS

Reducing Risk through Interpersonal Development, Empowerment, Resiliency and Self-Determination (RezRIDERS) is a program for adolescents that focuses on core values, optimism, self-determination and self-regulation.  The program includes lesson-based instruction on mental health and the promotion of positive mental health practices. The two primary goals of the program are to reduce adolescent substance use through self-regulation and to reduce symptoms of depression.

High school participants perform community outreach projects to improve their communities. As an incentive to participate, students have the opportunity to take part in extreme sports activities such as rock climbing and skiing that most youth on the reservation would not otherwise be able to do.

Veggies for Kids

The Veggies for Kids program is designed to support health eating by promoting increased intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, water and nutrient-dense beverages, as well as increase the use of and appreciation for healthy traditional Native American and Hispanic foods. This is an in-school program (Kindergarten through 3rd grade) at the Natchez Elementary School. Lessons provide information on each food group in a way that is easy for kids to understand, and students participate in hands-on activities that teach them how to prepare and cook healthy foods. The program was suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic but will resume when it is safe to do so.

4-H Camp

Nevada offers three area camps at the Nevada State 4-H Camp in Lake Tahoe. Teens are selected and trained to be counselors for residential and day camps that provide educational program for youth through hands-on, experiential learning. Leadership skills that are given major emphasis include:

• Understanding self and character-building skills
• Communicating and relating to others
• Problem solving and decision making
• Managing resources
• Working with others
• Environmental stewardship

Veggies for Seniors & Seniors Eating Well

Pyramid Lake extension agents are in the process of creating a program to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to senior citizens age 65 and older for 13 weeks during the summer months. The program will source local food and distribute it to eligible participants in each of the three communities on the reservation. Each bag of produce will contain recipes for preparing the food.