In northern Arizona, by the Navajo Nation, lies the STAR School, primarily serving Native American students from pre-K through 8th grade. This off-grid school integrates agriculture into its curriculum, emphasizing sustainable farming, a thriving gardening program, and a robust agriculture education, including a livestock club funded by a NAAF grant. The STAR 4-H Livestock Club, through hands-on experiences in animal care, aims to educate and inspire future farmers and ranchers, tying in Navajo culture and language.
With the help of the 2024 NAAF grant, the program plans to expand its programming, offering more in-depth agricultural education, supporting animal wellness, and promoting career pathways in ranching and science. The STAR 4-H Livestock Club aims to provide more intensive agricultural education for young and beginning farmers and ranchers over 24 months. The club will integrate classroom learning, connect to the Navajo language and culture, promote independent ranching and access to capital, and develop future career pathways for students. The students will acquire valuable skills in raising, breeding, and slaughtering animals, opening up career opportunities in ranching and animal science.
The 2024 NAAF grant will purchase supplies, fund personnel, support animal wellness services, and subsidize 4-H activities with the University of Arizona’s Coconino County Cooperative Extension Office. School staff members will work to teach students about taking care of animals through feeding, watering, and routine animal care. Funds will be used to purchase chicks, lambs, calves, animal feed, and other supplies such as troughs, fencing, and vaccines. They will also assist in butchering sheep for the annual harvest festival and showing animals at 4 H events in the local area.
