SOILLESS FRESH PRODUCE HYDROPONICS FOR LOW-INCOME/LOW-FOOD ACCESS NAVAJO COMMUNITIES: AN ALTERNATIVE TO CROPPING URANIUM CONTAMINATED SOIL

This project will enhance the capacity of Navajo Technical University (NTU) to conduct research on soilless agriculture and advance the capability of Navajo communities to use soilless hydroponic production to improve access to healthy fresh produce. Current on-going research at NTU dealing with soil health and its effect on crop productivity in Navajo communities shows that very poor conditions for plant growth exist due to uranium contamination, heavy metals, pH extremes, and insufficient water. Thus, this proposed project includes research and workshops that will provide technologies (hydroponics) and convincing data, including impacts from growth-promoting microbial-inoculant formulations and microbiome comparisons from NTU and the cooperating Navajo communities' production of leafy greens, ethnobotanicals, and fruiting plants, showing they can manage and operate productive local systems for their communities and households. This will involve training, mentoring, and supporting NTU faculty and students, Navajo communities, and middle and high school students. This proposal has two main objectives: 1) Evaluate Hydroponic Systems for Production of Fresh, Nutritious Produce at Navajo Technical University; 2) Implementation of Best Practices for Soilless Production using Hydroponics in a New Mexico Climate; 3) Assist Navajo Communities in setting up Hydroponics to Produce Fresh, Nutritious Fruits and Vegetables for their use. The project will benefit from cooperation/collaboration with an 1890-institution, USDA-ARS, and Santa Fe Community College. This project will lead to NTU serving as the lead 1994-Land Grant institution for hydroponic soilless production of fresh produce in Navajo and other low-income/low-food access communities in the region.