On Higher Ground

OHG PROVIDES ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR STUDENTS LEADERS IN NATURAL RESOURCES, AND BUILDS CAPACITY IN NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITITES THROUGH PROGRAMMING, PARTNERSHIPS, AND LEARNING MODULES FOR AGRICULTURE PRODUCERS, GARDENERS, AND LAND MANAGERS IN CONSERVATION, FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURE.

OHG IS RESPOSIBLE FOR BUILDING 4 HIGH TUNNELS IN NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES. IN 2021,THE FIRST ONE WAS BUILT ON THE CROW NATION IN MONTANA. THESE HIGH TUNNELS ARE TO EXTEND THE NORTHERN TIER GROWING SEASON FOR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROJECT. THE FIRST ONE WAS IN BUILDING BIPOC PARTNERSHIPS,OHG CONTRACTED COTTAGE HOUSE INC,OF DOTHAN AL TO BUILD A SPECIALTY 26*84'WIREGRASS HIGH TUNNEL FOR PLANTING PRODUCE AND PERMACULTURE PLANTS.THE TEAM OF 3 MEN PROVIDED TRANING FOR STUDENTS ON HOW TO CONSTRUCT THESE HIGH TUNNELS AND ALSO VERY SOLD RAISED BEDS 5*8 FT.THE FOOD TO BE RAISED IN THE HIGH TUNNEL WILL BE OPERATED WITH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS WHO WILL BE HELPING TO SET UP STUDENT FARMER MARKETS AND PROVIDE A CLASSROOM AREA FOR LEARNING ABOUT SOIL AMENDMENTS, FERTILIZATION ,DRIP IRRIGATION ,HARVESTING AND PROCESSING THE FOODS FOR LATER LEARNING PROJECTS.

IN ORDER TO COMPLETE AND CONNECT THE HIGH TUNNEL GARDENING TO OTHER VARIOUS LEARNING PROJECTS ,WE BEGAN TO CREATE AN OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACE FOR STUDENAT BY ADDING AN OPEN AIR CLASSROOM,COVERED ONLY BY A ROOF. WE WERE TASKED WITH PROVIDING ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR STUDENTS TAHT IS PERTINENT TO THE JOBS IN NATURAL RESOURCES OR AGRICULTURE IN THE AREA.BETWEEN STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS, WE PROVIDED THOSE LESSONS AND MATERIALS. A SECOND PURPOSE FOR THE AREA HAS BEEN TO PREPARE A YOUTH CAMP ATMOSPHERE TO HOST, NOT ONLY OTHER NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS, BUT ALSO,TO HOST INNER-CITY STUDENTS FROM CHICAGO AND RURAL STUDENTS FROM ALABAMA IN THE SUMMER OF 2023 FOR STUDENTS CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND IMMORSION IN OUR UNIQUE WAYS OF LIVING IN BALANCE WITH MOTHER EARTH.

AN EXTERNAL EVALUATOR IS HELPING GUIDE US AS WE BUILD RELEVANT CURRICULUM AND TEACH IT TO ALL AGES OF STUDENTS ,PRODUCERS WANT-TO-BE GARDENERS ,LAND MANAGERS ,AND OTHER CONSERVATION WORKERS. WE CONDUCT ASSESSMENTS OF PROGRESS AND CONTINUE TO WORK ON DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS TO THE BARRIES WE FACE IN USDA PROGRAM ACCESS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN AND OTHER BIPOC COMMUNITIES.