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Flathead Reservation

Grow It Till U Make It - Responding to COVID 19

Published: 2020
By Brenda Richey
This food sovereignty campaign was started as a direct result of the Confederated Salish, Pend d’Oreille, Kootenai Tribal (CSKT) response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Funds from the Indian Lands Tenure Foundation (ILTF) that had been set aside to provide summer Ag Youth Camps were diverted in May 2020 to the GITUMI project, as all face-to-face youth camps were cancelled. COVID-19 demonstrated the need for our community to have gardening and food preservation skills. This program was designed to provide 15 participants with the education, tools, and supplies needed to grow their own food, learn to prepare nutritious meals using garden resources, and preserve it as a winter food resource. We had eight participants sign up with supplies remaining for seven more. We will offer this opportunity again in spring of 2021. Participants agree to complete eight Master Gardener classes, one cooking class through MSU SNAP Education, and one two-day food preservation training. In recognition of their time and efforts, each participant received: one 8’ x 4’ x 16” raised bed with season extension capability, soil/compost, garden tools, soaker hose, hot water bath canner, canning tools, and the 'So Easy to Preserve' Food Preservation book. Gardening and Food Preservation classes were facilitated in partnership with Patrick Mangan, Ravalli County Extension Agent and Nori Pearce, Kalispell County Extension Agent. Feedback on the project is that all participants will garden in 2021, soil testing has been done, and seed/plant choices are being planned. Participants are gathering local, fall food sources and preserving them. One participant is sharing her knowledge with her children and grandchildren. Another purchased supplies, built and installed four more raised beds in anticipation of the next growing season. After learning from the SNAP lesson how to make veggie stir fry, one participant said, “I've never made stir fry before…my son ate EVERY veggie because it tastes so good.” We anticipate additional positive responses to the GITUMI campaign and are looking forward to the 2021 growing/preserving season!
Mother & daughter learn about soil textures in GITUMI class.