The LCR Farms Story

This project is in the Little Colorado River Valley of the Navajo Nation, involving four communities—Cameron, Tolani Lake, Leupp, and Birdsprings. Over 40 years, these communities developed family and community-irrigated farms, capturing the essence of Navajo agricultural practices. This project compiled photos, recorded teachings, and narratives into a comprehensive Story of the Navajo LCR Farms, with Arizona Humanities grant funds supporting research, preparation, transcriptions, and integration of materials. Program activities, including workshops and presentations, occurred in the participating communities and educational institutions. Lead scholars, including Jonathan Yazzie, Byron Huskon, Jacques Seronde, and Johnson Dennison, collaborated on planning, narrative composition, and field testing. The intended audience comprised Navajo youth, farmers, community leaders, and elected officials, with over 700 individuals reached through educational programs, workshops, and existing collaborations. The project addressed contemporary concerns about Food and Water Security, weaving together culture, language, and agriculture.