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NRCS Works with Navajo Nation to Improve Conservation Delivery
(above from left) Executive Director of the Navajo Natural Resources
Committee Arvin Trujillo; NRCS Regional Assistant Chief, West Sarah
Braasch; Arizona NRCS State Conservationist David McKay; Navajo Vice
President Ben Shelly; New Mexico NRCS State Conservationist Dennis
Alexander; and, Utah NRCS State Conservationist Silvia Gillen (NRCS photo -- click to enlarge)
tour of conservation practices on the Navajo Reservation (NRCS photo -- click to
enlarge)
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New Mexico,
Arizona, and Utah NRCS State Conservationists Dennis Alexander,
David McKay,
and Sylvia Gillen along with Regional Assistant Chief, West Sara
Braasch recently met with Navajo Nation Vice President Ben Shelly and other
Tribal leaders at the Tribe's Headquarters in Window Rock, Arizona, to discuss
ways to improve coordination, planning and implementation of conservation on the
Navajo Nation.
A cooperative agreement between the Aneth Chapter of the Navajo Nation and NRCS that will establish a new service office
and improve natural resource conservation services to agricultural producers in
southeastern San Juan County was also signed at the meeting. Prior to the
establishment of the new service office, NRCS customers had to travel to
Monticello, Shiprock, or some other distant USDA service center.
The Navajo Nation extends 27,000 square miles through the States of Arizona,
Utah, and New Mexico and is home to approximately 1,300 farmers and 12,000 ranchers. The
Navajo believe they are an extension of Mother Earth, a belief echoed by Vice President Shelly
who said,
“We love our Mother Earth. In a traditional way we teach it and believe it. And,
I’m glad that you are here to help us with that and we will support you all the
way through.”
Braasch, speaking on behalf of NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster, recognized the
government-to-government relationship with the Navajo Nation. “I’m pleased with
the commitment from these three state conservationists who are here to do
everything they can to help with your conservation goals. At the same time, we
have a lot to learn about what we can do in the next Farm Bill to simplify and
accelerate our efforts,” she said.
Your contact is Renee Bodine, NRCS
public affairs specialist, at 602-280-8778.
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