Food Sustainability/Gardening Programming

Published: 2019
By Hillary Maxwell

The communities on the Fort Belknap Reservation continue to advance knowledge, skill and action toward food security. In 2019, several innovative efforts have contributed to an increase in participation by community members in this important effort. MSU Extension at Fort Belknap engaged in a collaboration with the MSU-Bozeman PATHS program, or "Pathways to Agriculture and Native foods, Tribal Health and Sovereignty." This collaboration provided the Fort Belknap community members with seed potatoes of the Huckleberry Gold variety, a slow-glucose release variety that can positively impact health and nutrition. Community gardens also grew this variety to distribute. The Hays Community Garden was able to expand its orchard holdings through grants from DNRC & Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association. The funds were used to purchase resilient varieties of apple and plum trees, bringing the total number of fruit trees to 31; additionally, the orchard now supports eight grapevines. Community involvement increases each year as members gain knowledge and confidence in their approaches to gardening. A new garden was introduced at the Fort Belknap RV Park on the northern end of the reservation, with 10 raised beds and 10 fruit trees. Two community members have stepped up to maintain the garden and will continue to be part of the planning in future expansion efforts. This garden is a partnership between MSU Extension and the Nakoda Aaniiih Economic Development Corporation. The Lodgepole community garden has expanded its growing area to encompass a larger potato and squash field. Additionally, in a partnership with the Red Paint Creek Trading Post, garden produce is offered through the store to encourage locally-supported agriculture and nutrition.