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Pawnee County is located in Central Oklahoma, about 60 miles northwest of Tulsa. The Pawnee Tribe was relocated to the area from their traditional homelands along the North Platte River in Nebraska between 1873 and 1875. The Tribe is comprised of four distinct bands: the Chaui “Grand,” the Kitkehahki “Republican,” the Pitahawirata “Tappage” and the Skidi “Wolf.”

Activities

Like many smaller Native Nations and other small rural communities across the country, the Pawnee Nation faces the challenges posed by food insecurity. The Oklahoma State FRTEP Extension program at Pawnee provides strong support of nutrition education to manage and prevent diabetes and other health issues. The program is also focused on helping Pawnee youth to preserve their traditional values, culture and languages while delivering science-based programs that address food insecurity, health, social and economic problems.

Highlights

MEASURING IMPACT

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 Pawnee Tribe. Click the link below to read the report.

Read the report

STEM-related initatives

There is a need to develop STEM-related skills, especially agriculture and engineering-related knowledge that can transform nutrition and science education at all levels in the Pawnee community. The community needs dynamic, multi-generational curricula that will prepare them to produce native traditional foods and leafy greens to meet their food security and nutrition needs. This program involves science-based approaches to engage the community in keeping abreast in the interest in STEM areas for the youth and 4-H group while incorporating nutrition education, food production, food security, food safety, food processing, culture and language to strengthen the social fabric of the Pawnees.

Dr. Patricia Rayas Duarte leads a collaborative team formed by Oklahoma State University extension and outreach and Pawnee Nation College faculty developing STEM-based curricula for college, youth and community members. Curricula development is targeted to hands-on training in basic gardening agricultural practices, principles of producing native crops, nutrition education, preparation and preservation of native foods, food safety, culture, language and sustainability in an interconnected way. Audiences includes youth, Native college students and inter-generational participants, including elders knowledgeable of native cultural practices, which could be otherwise lost if not shared and recorded in a systematic way.

The team of extension educators and staff from Pawnee Nation College are working side-by-side in all aspects of the project. Participants learn how to grow their own garden, attend science camps and go on visits to meet with other tribes. Interactions are recorded so that elders can preserve and transfer traditional knowledge.

Update on activities

• Developed curricula for two science camps (winter and spring) for youth focused on culinary and medicinal herb planting from seeds.
• Preparing raised garden beds to plant the traditional three sisters (corn, beans and squash) plus other plants such as tomatoes, culinary herbs, watermelon, a variety of peppers and leafy greens.
• Students attended a science and cultural trip to Nebraska, homeland of the Pawnees. The visit included taking part in a Native Corn conference and STEM classes with information sharing between Tribal College students from Pawnee Nation College and others. Other activities included technical training on water, soil and environment interactions as well as visits to farms and cultural institutions.

Pawnee Nature Trail

The Pawnee Nature Trail is being developed on the grounds of Pawnee Nation. Participants who use the trail will learn how to identify native and invasive species, edible, medicinal and ceremonial plants. Plants used for building, basket making and extraction of pigments will also be identified. A poster is being developed with information about the plant name and uses. There will be QR codes on the posters so that users can scan the information with personal electronic devices when walking the nature trail.

COVID-19 Activities

• Used plasticulture production in a large new community vegetable garden
• Expanded the size and number of community gardens
• Conducted food preservation of summer produce, canning pickled okra, chili peppers, dill and watermelon grinds for the community
• Conducted a hands-on training workshop for construction of a solar dehydrator
• Supplied personal protection equipment (PPE) for volunteers at the community garden
• Provided gardening equipment and supplies
• Coordinated Zoom training on horticultural food production and produce safety
• Promoted container gardens to specific groups of the community
• Provided seedlings for home summer vegetable and herb production
• Procured needed supplies for Pawnee Seed Preservation Partners Project

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Located in the north central part of Oklahoma adjacent to the Kansas border, the Osage Nation Reservation was established by treaty in the 1800s. Encompassing nearly 1.5 million acres or 2,300 square miles, the Reservation is coextensive with Osage County.

Activities

The primary focus of the Oklahoma State University FRTEP extension program on the Osage Reservation is helping tribal  youth to become more productive citizens and leaders while giving back to their community, improving their lives and the lives of others. Extension delivers educational programs for young people and adults related to agriculture, natural resources, lawn and garden, home and consumer life, nutrition and health, families, community and leadership development, business and careers, and emergency management.

Highlights

MEASURING IMPACT

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 Osage Nation Reservation. Click the link below to read the report.

Read the report

Youth development

The Osage FRTEP extension program is heavily focused on 4-H youth development, both in school settings and outside of the school. 4-H teaches basic life skills along with providing young people with practical tools and abilities that will help them become responsible, successful community members.

4-H brings adults and youth together through instruction, skill development, and hands-on training with a strong focus on natural resource conservation, the environment, agriculture and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). One of the key areas of focus is economic and workforce development, which helps youth become more acquainted with employment opportunities and equip them with the skills to take advantage of those opportunities, including the development of food systems, and farm and community markets, to better serve the citizens of the Osage community.

Extension provides education on human nutrition and the importance of reducing childhood and adolescent obesity, helping youth and their parents to change patterns of behavior for eating and exercise that will help young people be healthier. Native culture and language preservation is also taught in order to equip younger tribal members with the skills to speak their traditional language and pass it on to future generations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Osage extension efforts are aimed at helping farmers and ranchers obtain the skills they need for maximum productivity today while also protecting natural resources for the future. Conservation and adaptation to environmental change is crucial for the long-term health of the community, and multiple learning opportunities are being provided in this regard for youth and adults.

Osage farmers and ranchers are obtaining the skills needed to raise healthy livestock by establishing good management practices. Extension provides opportunities for hay testing and soil testing to analyze nutrient content and fertility status. Additional tests are available for nutrient management plans, environmental issues, potting mixes, compost, manure and water usage. Extension also offers pesticide applicator training.

 

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The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is the third-largest federally recognized tribe in Indian Country with more than 220,000 members, including 85,000 who live in Oklahoma. The Nation is comprised of more than 10,000 square miles and includes parts of 10 counties.

Activities

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service develops science-based educational programs to help Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely. Programs focus on:

• Increasing opportunities for agricultural enterprises
• Natural resources and environmental management
• Food, nutrition, health and safety education
• Youth, family and community development

 

Highlights

MEASURING IMPACT

• “The gardening program helped spark an interest, not only in the kids but it went generational… The senior citizens got involved and they were really excited.” 

• “… in the past three years, we’ve grown close to 15,000 pounds of vegetables that we give to our Tribal seniors. And [the agent] has been a big impact in that on helping do different trials with different types of [vegetables].

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 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Click the link below to read the report.

Read the report

Agricultural training

More than 300 Choctaw youth and adults have participated in training in the production, handling and marketing of locally grown crops. Adult training has been done in conjunction with Choctaw farmers. Youth are learning about agriculture through classes in local schools. The expansion of the program into other related activities is under consideration, including farm enterprises such as small animal and culinary herb production and marketing. Extension hosts workshops, field days, on-farm research and demonstrations and offers technical assistance.

Vegetable Growing and Marketing Field Day

Field Days are held at the Choctaw Nation Tribal Field where participants tour vegetable plantings, see alternative growing methods and learn about pest management. There are sessions on marketing methods and opportunities for producing vegetables as a business venture. Extension works with producers to provide educational programs, technical assistance and youth programming. Youth receive hands-on experience working with agricultural products and learn about multiple aspects of agriculture and how it affects their lives.

Choctaw Farmers Market Initiative

There are more than a dozen farmers markets operating in Choctaw communities, including at Choctaw Nation health facilities in three communities. The Farmers Market Initiative helps to encourage new and existing farmers, offering educational programs and training on safety and food handling. The goal is to provide alternative sources of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables in regions where they are often difficult to find.