Cherokee ExtensionFRTEP - 1862 CherokeeCurrent activities include the revegetation of ramps (a native wild onion) as a traditional food; revegetation of river cane, white oak, and butternut trees for traditional basket making; revegetation of American Chestnut for wildlife; the Cherokee Farmers Market; the Costa Rica Eco Study Tour; for youth and the Traditional Seeds project. The Agent has been successful in securing hundreds of thousand of dollars in grant funds to conduct programming. |
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Cherokee Extension
Current activities include the revegetation of ramps (a native wild
onion) as a traditional food; revegetation of river cane, white oak,
and butternut trees for traditional basket making; revegetation of
American Chestnut for wildlife; the Cherokee Farmers Market; the Costa
Rica Eco Study Tour; for youth and the Traditional Seeds project. The
Agent has been successful in securing hundreds of thousand of dollars
in grant funds to conduct programming.
Sarah McClellan
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cooperative Extension,
876 Acquoni Road,
P.O. Box 456,
Cherokee, NC 28719
Community Education Programs
Examples of Community Education Programs are the Smoky Mountain Beekeepers, Tsa La Gi Master Gardeners and the Cherokee Native Plant Study Group.
Opportunities are for adults to participate in informal education are few in the remote Appalachian Mountains. Education can lead to a better quality of life from increased efficiency, improved decision-making and entrepreneurism.
Backyard Ramp Patch Project
Ramps are a native wild onion that grows in the Appalachian mountains and a favorite wild food gathered in the early
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Farming Program
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) own approximately 600 acres of farm land, located on 4 different properties, in the rugged mountains of Western North Carolina. The Tribe lacks the infrastructure to farm or fully maintain these lands. Additionally two of the farm properties are culturally and historically significant sites.
The Center for Cherokee Plants
The Cherokee are the original farmers & gardeners of the southern Appalachian mountains in the United States. The
Cherokee Farming and Gardening
Cherokee FRTEP provides technical assistance to Cherokee farmers and
gardeners. The annual garden contest grows in popularity each year. In
2006, 54 Cherokee gardens were in the competition. Over the past 3
years, the Chief's Cherokee Family Garden Project has distributed 1250
garden kits and 1000 apple trees to families to promote traditional
family gardening. Two new interest groups have formed and meet monthly
in Cherokee, the Smoky Mountain Beekeepers and the Cherokee Native
Plant Study Group. Farming activities on two tribal farms are
coordinated though the FRTEP Agent.
Costa Rica Eco Study Tour
Cherokee youth have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica each year
for international experiences in cultural exchange and learning about
the environment and sustainable practices. Cherokee Extension prepare
the youth for travel through an extensive educational series monthly
classed from January to June. Thi stravel experience has allowed
Cherokee youth to grow in their understanding of environmental issues
and cultural appreciation. 2006 youth participants initiated a
community recycling project, inspired by their experiences in Costa
Rica.
Center for Cherokee Plants
One of the exciting projects under development is the Center for
Cherokee Plants. The Center will be a headquarters for growing
culturally significant Cherokee plants. The Center will consist of a
nursery and garden area for propagating and growing Cherokee
traditional vegetables, wild edible plants, plants significant as
Cherokee artisans' resources, and native plants for landscape
revegitation projects and a building to house the Cherokee Traditional
Crops Seed Bank. Public educational programs will be developed and held
at the Center on a regular basis.
FRTEP 20 Years of Excellence.ppt
Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) - 20 Years of Excellence!
The powerpoint presentation from the 2010 FRTEP Day at the 2010 IAC-INCA Conference in Las Vegas, NV, December 6, 2010 that hilghlights the work being done at our FRTEP offices across the country.
