Partnership

Severe environmental conditions often spur people to join forces in solving problems. That's how the Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) began.

"The big drought was our wake-up call," says Gerald Moore, coordinating Cooperative Extension agent for The Navajo Nation at Window Rock. With help from partners in government and universities, "we'll know where we are today, and where we should go-or can go," he says. "We're looking ahead because we'll continue to be in some form of drought."

Started in March 1998, NEP includes The Navajo Nation, the federal Agricultural Research Service, and the Universities of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah Cooperative Extension. The University of Idaho and Texas A&M have contracted to supply baseline data.

ElizaBeth Washburn, director of The Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture Division of Natural Resources, says the NEP representatives bring more than program funding. "It's not just the dollars; they add expertise."

A lack of modern range management is the greatest problem Navajo ranchers face, she believes. "We have an open range with several people using the same range. When ranchers try to rotate pastures to protect forage, their neighbors' cattle take advantage."

The Navajo Nation Tribal Council have enacted two pieces of legislation that predict revolutionary changes for agriculture. The Local Governance Act gives tribal government back to local communities; local people will be accountable for their actions, and they will need to develop their own programs-with help from NEP.

Also enacted, the Navajo Uniform Grazing Code is designed to help correct environmental problems caused by the open range. It requires more rangeland fences and imposes grazing permits and fees. Ranchers need to learn more about both laws.

To get the job done, Gerald Chacon, Cooperative Extension Project Director for the northern district, New Mexico State University, recommends an organizational model that he used successfully for Hispanic small farmers.

"Planning is the hardest part," Chacon says. "The NEP must develop an advisory group of lay people who will keep the experts on track." Then, delegate responsibilities clearly and put resources together after deciding which are most important.

Gary Hathorn, county program director for San Juan County, New Mexico, Extension, agrees, "We don't want a top-down effort."

Lay committees and The Navajo Nation have already identified their most severe current problems. Explaining the Uniform Grazing Code heads the list, along with drought and range management, drought recovery, marketing and the cattle industry economy. When additional problems are identified, they can be addressed, says Hathorn.

Until the three-state NEP began, each Navajo local Chapter House, spread throughout the reservation's 25,000 acres, has had to ask for its own set of educational meetings led by experts from the various partners. "It runs people ragged. We haven't done a real good job because we individually lack money and people," says Hathorn.

A three-year grant, obtained by UA Extension livestock specialist Robert Kattnig, will help pay for four regional livestock seminars at Kayenta and Flagstaff, Arizona, plus Gallup and Farmington, New Mexico. The sessions will include mandatory training for Navajo Grazing Committee members regarding the Uniform Grazing Act.

So far, NEP has been concerned about agricultural problems. "We need more well-coordinated, family oriented programs," says Gerald Moore. "We should tie in various departments in The Navajo Nation, government agencies, and the universities."

A task force considering Cooperative Extension and Navajo partnership has suggested three-state 4-H youth programs and home economics. When Extension home economists from Arizona, New Mexico and Utah met with NEP, they discussed teaching parenting issues, nutrition, diabetes, family finance, and home management.

"The problem is the sheer number of important issues," says Joyce Alves, Apache County Cooperative Extension director. "We need to start with finding out the expertise that's available."

"The Navajo Nation has proven, over and over, that it is committed to long-term education," says Steve Etter, UA extension 4-H youth development agent for The Navajo Nation in Shiprock, NM. "This partnership has been struggling to come about for a long time. We need to find a greater coordination outside tradition. This partnership wants to avoid turf issues to get a vital job done."

A Unique Situation and a Unique Solution

"The Navajo Extension Partnership (NEP) is a unique undertaking," says Fred N. Swader, U.S. Department of Agriculture coordinator of the Extension Indian Reservation Program (EIRP).

A complex program is required simply because the Nation itself is unique. The largest U.S. Indian Reservation encompasses more than 25,000 square miles in three separate states.

"No analogous situation exists anywhere else," Swader says. The partnership should serve as a model for similar efforts elsewhere."

"This effort is being spearheaded by EIRP agents Steve Etter and Gerald Moore. It has always been clear that two extension agents on a reservation this size cannot give an adequate representation.

"I'm pleased to see the effort to draw in other county agents, including experts in human resources. Our involvement with Navajo agriculture is wide open. We have yet to completely define our role, but it will evolve as we find the niches we can fill," Swader says.

However, he sees the possibility of funding problems. "My idealistic side says the partnership will be an ongoing effort. However, pragmatically, I know federal funding has a limited lifetime. We can only hope The Navajo Nation and the states that are involved will find a way to go on."

Document part of 1999 Native American Programs in the College of Agriculture
Located at http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/general/azlp47-2/partnership.html
Back to Table of Contents