This program is a continuation of the efforts begun by the southwest indian agricultural association, INC (swiaa) in 2023 to coordinate with USDA animal and plant health inspection services (aphis)…

This program is a continuation of the efforts begun by the southwest indian agricultural association, INC (swiaa) in 2023 to coordinate with USDA animal and plant health inspection services (aphis) and local partners to enhance animal disease preparedness and response on tribal lands. Swiaa has established relationships with many AZ tribes and hopes to continue building momentum towards more effective animal disease preparedness. The purpose of this agreement: the program purpose is to continue efforts to improve tribal resiliency by identifying/addressing information gaps, conducting and delivering community-based outreach and education on animal disease prevention, biosecurity, and early disease detection related subjects; critical community and government agencies roles and responsibilities on animal disease prevention and response; and the benefits of premises identification numbers (pins) or other location identifiers. Program activities: swiaa proposes a comprehensive work plan that will effectively provide outreach and education to tribes and native ranchers/agricultural producers in the southwest. Swiaa will work closely with the university of arizona (UA) cooperative extension, the arizona department of agriculture emergency preparedness and response team (azda), and apex applied technology, INC (aatech) to develop educational materials, host educational events, provide trainings, disseminate educational materials, and foster coordination between state/federal organizations and tribal organizations. Under the proposed program, the project team will also provide direct technical assistance to tribal entities, ranchers, and farmers, assisting them with issues including, but not limited to, developing emergency response plans, establishing premises identification numbers, and federal/state grant/loan applications, etc. Deliverables and expected outcomes: swiaa hopes to reach over 300 stakeholders through a comprehensive outreach campaign, 4-6 unique workshops/educational events, 2-3 strategic discussion meetings, and direct technical assistance to 3-5 individual businesses and 1-2 tribal nations, along with the development of 1-2 federal grant/loan programs to continue efforts in this program. INT ended beneficiaries: native american tribes/tribal entities and native farmers and ranchers in the southwest. Subrecipients activities: UA cooperative extension and azda will help develop outreach and education curriculum and provide training. Aatech will provide outreach, direct technical assistance, and program management.