An official website of the United States government.
The FRTEP Extension Program for the FY years 2009 - 2012 on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in central Oregon will engage tribal livestock owners, tribal natural resource managers, and tribal families in learning about: improved rangeland management, improved cattle and equine management practices, risk management strategies in livestock and range management, economic diversification through varied crop production, and agricultural business management through workshops, demonstrations, one-on-one visitations, and cooperative projects. An emphasis will also be placed on food safety and inspection guidelines for handling uncooked meat products. These projects will focus on economic self sufficiency through improved natural resource management. They will also provide tribal member families with tools to increase the efficiency of existing operations, diversify their interests in the natural world, increase sustainable food production, and be competitive in today's changing marketplace. Youth development will focus on increasing positive decision making skills and preparing for leadership within the community. Specific objectives will focus on: <OL> <LI> Improve rangeland management <LI> Increase economic sustainability of livestock operations <LI> Build tribal economic diversification through farmland and other natural resource development <LI> Enhance positive youth development and prepare youth for leadership in their communities
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Situation and Goals Statement: The people of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, comprised of the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Northern Paiute Tribes, face a host of extraordinary economic and social issues that significantly impact the quality of life and economic well-being of community members on the Reservation. A decline in the timber revenues that had previously supported family-wage jobs and provided income for many Tribal programs, as well as a reduction in the number of viable businesses, and a 33% overall unemployment rate continue to threaten the health of the local economy and individuals in the community. Historically poor livestock and rangeland management practices on the Reservation have led to a lack of sustainability in family livestock operations. Research from BIA, contracted range surveys, and periodic aerial flight surveys reveals several critical issues on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. These include noxious weeds that crowd out perennial livestock forage, lack of managed grazing systems for horses and cattle which includes an overpopulation of feral horses that degrade the range, lack of proper animal nutrition, low survival rate of calves from conception to weaning, and lack of organized participation in the livestock industry and the agricultural marketplace by the tribal community. In addition, graduate research by the FRTEP Educator has demonstrated that there is a vital need for salt / mineral supplementation of open range livestock. In addition, approximately 1,100 acres of potential farmland, previously developed for irrigation capability, are unused because of a lack of financial capital and an intergenerational loss of farming skills in the last three decades. The aim of the FRTEP at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in central Oregon is to provide outreach education on the Reservation to increase the efficiency and sustainability of tribal natural resources and livestock operations which will lead to an improved quality of life for the tribal community, coupled with an enhanced natural environment. To achieve these aims, Oregon State University Extension Service FRTEP Program, in partnership with tribal, federal, and state agencies and businesses, will continue to provide programs to increase knowledge and skills of Warm Springs community members and increase the capacity of Warm Springs organizations to identify and meet the needs of the community. The FRTEP Program and its partners will accomplish this through non-formal teaching, research, and demonstration to the tribal community on the Reservation. Program participants will engage in applying new knowledge to their livestock operations and to land management decision-making, thus improving the quality of Reservation life, improving the sustainability of natural resources, advancing technical knowledge and practices among young people, and contributing to the overall economy in Warm Springs. Education of young people through family programs involving multiple generations will continue as a key strategy in meeting these goals.
<P>
APPROACH: Project Delivery Methods The Warm Springs FRTEP Program will continue to use a variety of awareness, knowledge, and skill building delivery methods that have demonstrated to be successful in Warm Springs, including workshops, clinics, news articles, "radio clips," classroom sessions, demonstrations, 4-H club activities, lectures, and tours. Programs will continue to be delivered in collaboration with solid partners, including tribal departments, tribal council committees, the school district, and grazing district groups. These collaborations have been developed over time and continue to be the backbone of our successful FRTEP Program. These partnerships also provide the basis for piloting and evaluating new avenues for the FRTEP Program on the Reservation. The program will be delivered by the 1.0 FTE FRTEP Educator, with support from a .5 FTE program assistant (not yet hired; contingent on funding). In addition, the Warm Springs 4-H Faculty, funded by Oregon State University Extension 4-H, will assist the project in planning and conducting evaluations, and additionally assisting with volunteer management.