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<p>Goal: To maintain educational venues for MBCI established by the MSU-ES program and TEAB since the initiation of the FRTEP project and create new opportunities for Tribal members to learn and access to MSU-ES's educational resources and services. </p>
<p>Objectives: Collect information from the TEAB members on a weekly to monthly basis about educational needs for Tribal members. Design programs in each area of MSU-ES expertise that are unique to the Tribe so Tribal members will feel engaged and comfortable participating in group settings. Experiment with at least one new method of agri-business and health education delivery for the Tribe and let the Tribal stakeholders decide if newer methods of delivery are suitable for implementation on Tribal lands. Schedule timely newsletter, newspaper, radio, and television placements according to Tribal timetables and educational event dates to ensure Tribal awareness. Utilize key partnerships made with Tribal stakeholders to assist with delivery of educational materials to Tribal members. Create the first FRTEP social media outlet for the MBCI by the end of 2013. Schedule at least two Ag-CEL trips for Tribal youth to the MSU campus and agriculture and natural resources career sites. Maintain an average of 33 educational activities annually for the MBCI. Set-up and organize multiple educational activities in all Tribal communities according to the needs identified by TEAB. Ensure the "Wetland Discovery" outdoor classroom is properly maintained and ready for use by the Tribal elementary school for two field days each spring.? Conduct at least four herbicide demonstrations annually in different Tribal communities to ensure Tribal members have a visual learning aid. Conduct quarterly safety, food handling, and commercial vegetable growing practices for the Choctaw Fresh Produce department for the grant period). Establish a garden club advisory council from each of the eight Tribally recognized communities. Create the first Tribally operated garden club by the spring of 2014. Conduct monthly garden club meetings educating members on seasonal topics. Schedule at least one garden club sponsored project in each Tribally recognized community every other year. Host at least one yard and garden expo in the Pearl River community by the spring of 2015. </p>
<p>Goal: Locate funds from inside and outside MBCI to assist with implementation of educational programs and services to Tribal members in need of educational assistance </p>
<p>Objectives: Initiate the first Extension based (3D) archery shoot fundraiser to fund the purchase of at least five new 3D archery targets. Initiate the first Extension based fishing rodeo fundraiser to purchase new fishing gear and games to use for Tribal youth education. Apply for at least one grant to fund the production of vegetable transplants and culturally significant plants to registered Tribal elders and Tribal members with gardening interests. ? Plan the layout of a Tribal agro-tourism business and utilize in-kind services to facilitate the event to raise funds for the Tribal general fund. </p>
<p>Goal: Maintain good relations with the Tribal stakeholders to ensure FRTEP mission is accomplished and is viewed in a favorable manner. </p>
<p>Objectives: Meet with TEAB at least twice annually to discuss direction of FRTEP project for MBCI. Report to Tribal leaders annually the accomplishments of FRTEP for the MBCI. Follow the chain of command when disputes arise within the Tribal system and MSU-ES. Solicit input from the TEAB members and follow up with them in a timely manner concerning their needs. Discuss issues of program delivery with Tribal stakeholders before implementation of new programs. Evaluate each FRTEP activity according to the methods MBCI is most comfortable with to attain the results. Record evaluation results and disseminate results to all stakeholders for input. Draft at least one letter annually to the Tribal council and chief to request their input on Tribal educational needs and delivery. Keep the FRTEP office neat and orderly and treat all clientele with respect. </p>
<p>Goal: Make the FRTEP office a recognized source of health, nutrition, and other FCS information for the MBCI in addition to agriculture and natural resources education. </p>
<p>Objectives: Plan at least half of each quarterly e-newsletter to address health and FCS issues. Plan a monthly news article to address health and FCS needs for the Choctaw Community News. Devote one radio program each month to health and FCS education. Plan a monthly television segment for health and FCS topics. Test at least two new educational delivery methods for the SDPI department to boost membership by at least 10% in two years. Develop a Quick Tips email list-serve to send out weekly health and FCS educational material. Assemble at least five Tribal departments to participate in a quarterly weight loss competition in 2013 and five the following year. Identify healthy success stories to advertise on FRTEP Twitter, Facebook, and the e-newsletter. </p>
<p>Goal: See that MSU-ES supports the Choctaw Farmers' Market and assists with the development and marketing of the market to better serve the MBCI. </p>
<p>Objectives: Work with Choctaw Fresh Produce department at least 40 hours per month. Operate daily activities for the Choctaw Farmers Market. Help construct high tunnel greenhouses for the Choctaw Fresh Produce department. Implement weekly mobile farmer's market schedule. Conduct annual Choctaw Farmers Market growers meeting. Conduct safe handling of produce workshop for Choctaw Fresh Produce employees.</p>
<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:<br/> The MSU Extension Service (MSU-ES) administers the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) located at the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) Reservation, Pearl River Community, Neshoba County, Choctaw, Mississippi. Program goals and objectives for the FRTEP program are representative of needs and priorities identified by the Tribal Executive Advisory Board and Tribal stakeholders of Extension activities as follows: Maintain educational venues and create new opportunities. Establish access to MSU's educational resources and services. • Make the FRTEP office a recognizable educational resource. Support the Choctaw Farmers' Market and assist with product development and marketing. By linking MSU-ES and Tribal resources and services, Tribal members receive information otherwise unavailable to
them, resulting in greater skills and knowledge. Through the offered programs and activities, the FRTEP program outcomes benefit the greater Tribal Community and include promoting production, marketing, and consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables; providing adult and youth (Ag-CEL) education in agriculture, health and nutrition, wildlife, forestry, financial management, child and family development; increasing access to MSU-ES resources and services; and raising awareness of career opportunities in agriculture and natural resources. The FRTEP office has changed the attitude toward using a non-Indian educational resource. Because of this attitude change by the Tribe, more than 30 educational programs are implemented annually specifically for the MBCI. The Farmer's Market program directly relates to "The American Indian Producer in the New Economy" special project type while Ag-CEL
directly relates to the "Empowering American Indian Youth" project type.
<p>APPROACH:<br/> Project goals and objectives will be accomplish through programs, presentatation, and demonstrations by the FRTEP Agent, other Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, and research faculty. Information may be presented via distance education, social or print media, PowerPoint presentations, lectures, field trips, and other hands-on learning opportunities. Many of the opportunities involved with this project involve taking the information to the clientele by visitng all tribal communities. Additionally, much is presented in a hands-on format to maximize impact.Surveys, pre- and post-tests, written evaluations by program participants, and oral feedback from program attendees since some MBCI members are reluctant to do written evaluation forms.An annual meeting with MBCI program directors is scheduled to determine financial impact of programs. Impacts will
also be reported through the MSU Extension Service quarterly reporting system.