This Indigenous-Centered Mini Grant is an initiative to educate and empower Indigenous communities to grow their own fresh produce using innovative technologies and sustainable practices while also providing educational training and support to Indigenous community members at large and at UArizona. The Indigeponics project was founded by Indige-FEWSS Trainees Chantel Harrison and Jaymus Lee to increase indigenous students' and organizations' engagement at the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC).
The educational elements of this project are two-fold: in-person workshops and online educational materials. Both the workshops and educational materials are developed and led by the grant’s Project Managers and aim to confront the socioeconomic challenges surrounding food sovereignty, especially in indigenous communities.
The workshops at the CEAC are a way to provide free technical training opportunities while building community, knowledge, and equip participants with the skills and tools to sustainably grow food. Workshop attendees are provided a free at-home hydroponic kit.
Through the goal of bridging the gap between traditional hydroponic technologies and Indigenous communities, Project Managers also will develop curriculums and guides, to publish on their website https://www.indigeponics.com/ and share broadly with local organizations, Indigenous community members, and the University of Arizona.
This project provided Controlled Environment Agriculture and hydroponic education to 17 different individuals through two workshops. Fourteen students, one faculty, one staff, and one community member attended.
Project Managers developed an accessible, community-focused workbook centered on controlled environment agriculture, Dine food sovereignty and agriculture, food safety, and instructional use of at-home microgreen and nutrient film technique hydroponic kits.
The project team will continue to connect with Indigenous communities, organizations, and tribal governments to provide educational resources.
To learn more about their project and to review their free education resources such as their guidebook on "Microgreens Introduction" visit their website at https://www.indigeponics.com/.
