Project Overview

Reports

Commodities

Target Pests

Practices

This proposed project will build capacity for tribal ranchers and producers to battle against the potential invasive pest - New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax). The New World Screwworm (NWS) can be devastating to livestock and other mammals because their larvae burrow into the flesh of living animals causing serious damage, and even death, to the animals. This pest was eradicated from the U.S. in 1966, but the current outbreak has prompted border surveillance, livestock import suspensions, and emergency preparedness measures. A potential outbreak could devastate the livestock industry, disrupt the food supply, and pose risks to human health.

Arizona is the only U.S. state in which more than half of all ranchers and farmers are Native Americans. Native ranchers and producers embrace specific cultural practices that are relevant to their status as sovereign nations. While quality curricula are available, there is a current need for tribal ranchers and producers to access more culturally sensitive and appropriate training on NWS that goes beyond the classroom setting. Through this project, we will cement and expand on existing relationships to traditionally underserved communities for delivering integrated IPM and animal health content to tribal communities. This approach will support resilience within tribal communities and foster enduring relationships that will continue beyond the life of the grant.

Our proposal is aligned with needs specified by local indigenous stakeholders, and the priorities of the National IPM Roadmap and the Western IPM Center, including identified Regional Priorities in: 1) IPM in New Places, 2) IPM for Indigenous, Insular and Isolated People, and 3) IPM Culture and Capacity. In partnership with state and university veterinarians, horse and livestock specialists, and Tribal Extension agents/educators, we will collaborate with tribal ranchers and producers to implement identified education needs and to build capacity against NWS and improve conditions. Specifically, we will work directly with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Tribal Livestock/Horse Team at in-person NWS and IPM workshops with live animal demonstrations, hands-on activities, and lectures on practical animal care and management. Veterinarians will demonstrate proper vaccinations and hands-on ranch superficial livestock injury prevention and treatment. Additionally, we will focus on training and providing materials to educators and other agencies who can enhance the credibility and sustainability of our efforts. We will also provide opportunities to mentor tribal staff, students and youth to grow into future educators and leaders. This project will benefit more than one state: AZ, NM, UT and CA.

Expected outcomes include: 1) improved awareness and knowledge of NWS, IPM and animal health among tribal producers and ranchers, 2) cultivated positive attitude toward adopting IPM, biosecurity, and public health best management practices, and 3) improved engagement with underserved stakeholder audiences challenged by pest, animal health and biosecurity issues. We anticipate that lessons learned in this project will also be shared with other tribes and Extension scientists through the WERA-1017 multistate project work group, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, and other partner organizations, multiplying our impacts.

This proposal will build capacity for tribal ranchers and producers to battle against the potential devastating pest - New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax), and to implement IPM and animal health solutions. It will promote IPM among tribal ranchers and producers, enhance the acceptance of IPM among targeted audiences, strengthen networks and help educate the next generation of scientists in tribal communities. We will accomplish these Regional Priorities through the integration, dissemination, and direct application of NWS and IPM knowledge in Indigenous Communities to improve the lives and welfare of tribal members. Our project is a direct response to significant and ongoing requests for education and support from tribal community agricultural and health leaders.

This project will span one year and will accomplish the following objectives:

Objective 1: Work collaboratively with established tribal stakeholder groups within Arizona Tribal Communities to identify local NWS, IPM and animal health training priorities.

Objective 2: Develop and deliver a series of in-person and hybrid workshops on culturally sensitive integrated NWS prevention and mitigation, IPM and animal health solutions for tribal communities in Arizona, with invitations extended to tribes from California, Utah, and New Mexico.

Objective 3: Develop audience-specific educational materials that provide tribal stakeholders with timely information about NWS.

Objective 4: Foster new and ongoing working relationships with tribal collaborators and continue to improve our capacity to address key issues beyond the term of this project.