The goal of this project is to gather and examine research done along the San Juan River Watershed related to agricultural practices, in general, and perceptions of controlled environment agriculture, specifically, with measures that also include water and soil health in the region known geographically as the Four Corners.
Objectives:
- Determine if Four Corners communities who are under water stress will begin to adopt controlled environment agriculture methods over traditional practices.
- Persistent drought conditions (mega drought) will garner more interest in greenhouses as the conditions continue in the Four Corners.
- Four Corners farming communities will turn to controlled environment growing as economic stressors turn their consumers away from traditional crops.
- Environmental concerns for soil and water health will raise interest in viable alternatives to traditional indigenous agriculture such as E, hydroponics, and aquaponics in the Four Corners.
Charter Summary:
For the fall of 2022 and the spring of 2023, NMSU Ag Science Center, Farmington assisted the San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District SJSWCD (office in Aztec, NM) with the Healthy Soil project funded through NM Office of Natural Resources Trustee. The SJSWCD is providing cover crop seed for Navajo farmers impacted by the 2015 Gold King Mine Spill. Brandon Francis, NMSU Research Assistant, assisted in collecting soil samples and sending them to an independent lab for analysis of soil quality. The soil results were disseminated back to the farmers and recommendation of cover crop and other field amendments, as well, was given to participating farmers in a series of workshops and individual correspondence. These soil samples were collected pre cover crop application and will provide a baseline for comparison with post cover crop application. This could show the benefits of cover cropping in terms of organic matter and soil health. This soil monitoring project, working directly with Navajo farmers in western San Juan county, NM, is also laying the groundwork for a needs assessment survey that will be launched in June 2023. The needs assessment survey was co-developed with Transformation Network institutions, specifically with University of Arizona researchers through Dr. Karletta Chief’s group. The survey instrument has been reviewed by members of the research team and has been uploaded to Qualtrics for further review and pilot testing. The needs assessment has been approved by the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board and University of Arizona IRBs and is pending NMSU IRB approval. We anticipate administering the needs assessment at events attended by Navajo farmers. The anticipated benefit from this work will be to inform specific research and extension work by service providers operating in the region, many of whom are affiliated with the TN. The work will also lead to a Masters of Arts in Agricultural and Extension Education for Brandon Francis.
Primary Contact
- Kevin Lombard (NMSU)
Team Members
- Lani Tsinnajinnie (UNM)
- Karletta Chief (UA)
- Courtney Flint (USU)
Students
- Brandon Francis (NMSU)
- Emiliano McLane (NMSU)