Conservation District supports
Hopi farmers, ranchers

By Stan Bindell
For the Independent

POLACCA, Ariz. — A Hopi Conservation District has formed as a support group for Hopi farmers and ranchers.
Harold Joseph, president of the recently formed Hopi Conservation District, said the district will help farmers and ranchers with skills, culture and prayers.

Joseph, a former educator, said the program will emphasize the Hopi tradition of planting, but it will also use technology to help Hopi farmers and ranchers.

Joseph, who has a ranch and farm business in Moenkopi, said the Hopi Conservation District has help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help Hopi farmers and ranchers with equipment, fencing and soil analysis, especially for growing corn.

“The Hopi philosophy teaches how we were given the seeds and how to plant the sticks for future generations,” he said.

Joseph formed the group along with Vice President Audrey Navasie, Secretary Robert Adams and members Gilbert Naseoma and Wilton Kaye.

Joseph said the Hopi Conservation District will be working with the Hopi Tribe as well as the state and federal governments.

While the Hopi Conservation District is just starting to promote itself, they have already helped a Moenkopi ranch with fencing and water development.

“Farming is a Hopi tradition and a way of life,” he said.
Joseph, former dean of the Diné College campus in Tuba City, said ranching did not become part of Hopi life until the Spanish brought in cattle and sheep. Joseph said he will use his experience to contribute to this conservation project.

“I’ll bring in the educational aspect. We need to teach our children the necessary language and skills for farming and ranching,” he said. “Farming is tied into our religion. We get our seeds from the great spirit Massauu.”

Joseph said if any community members have any ideas how the Hopi Conservation District can help Hopi farmers and ranchers that he wants to hear them.

“We want to improve farming and ranching. We’re here to help in any way that we can,” he said.

The Hopi Conservation District works out of an office in Keams Canyon that is shared with the state conservation district. Ivan Joe runs the office for the state and Max Taylor serves as the technician.

The Hopi Conservation District meets the first Monday of each month with the next meeting planned for 9 a.m. May 5 in the Honani Building in Kykotsmovi.

The Hopi Conservation District has developed its by-laws and structure to work with federal and state agencies as well as the tribe. The Hopi Conservation District is working with Arnold Taylor from the tribe’s division of Natural Resources.