In rural corners of New Mexico, a small but powerful movement is connecting tradition with education.
The Tribal Extension Program, a part of the Cooperative Extension Service in New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, works with Native communities to improve agriculture, youth development and family well-being, while respecting and preserving cultural traditions.
The program has been serving the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation and various Pueblo communities for the past 17 years. Tribal Extension agents reside and work in these areas, providing hands-on education tailored to the specific needs of each community.
“When I first started, I was working with the Zuni Pueblo,” said Kathy Landers, Tribal Extension coordinator, “and what makes this work so meaningful is having more agents to help bring programming where it’s truly needed. Many communities follow traditional practices. For example, they plant only after the first moonrise. Their agricultural work is deeply tied to religious beliefs, which we learn to respect and work with.”
Tribal Extension agents lead workshops on traditional and sustainable agriculture practices, including sheep shearing, garden planting and irrigation techniques. They also help families grow produce in community gardens and backyards, improving access to fresh food in remote areas.
“The program created a sense of community, not just for people in the area, but for Native producers as a whole,” said John Romero, a livestock producer. “It gave us a space to connect, share our work, exchange ideas and build a support network.”
In Crownpoint, New Mexico, youth are learning to cook traditional dishes as part of a nutrition program called Kitchen Creations. The program, taught in both English and Navajo, helps fight diabetes while passing down cultural knowledge.
Tribal Extension’s 4-H clubs blend familiar youth leadership activities with Native values. Participants can learn archery, horse care or weaving, a hands-on way to connect tradition and community.
“If you can change one kid’s life, then you’ve made an impact. That’s what keeps me going. This isn’t just a job. If you love helping people and want to make a real difference in your community, being an Extension agent is one of the best ways to do it,” said Shellby Yazzie, Tribal Extension agent.
Beyond agriculture and youth programming, agents also focus on wellness. They provide education on parenting, financial literacy and stress management, all crucial in communities where access to mental health resources is limited.
All programming is designed in collaboration with local advisory councils to ensure the work reflects community needs.
Tribal Extension reaches more than 7,000 people annually. With offices in Shiprock, Crownpoint, Jemez and Dulce, the program serves Native communities throughout New Mexico.
“After COVID hit hard in the Four Corners, food sovereignty became one of the biggest priorities. Some communities were cut off from even getting basic groceries; they couldn’t come into Gallup to shop,” Landers said. “This reminded people of the importance of growing their own food again, as well as learning how to can, store and prepare it. Now, they want to rebuild those skills.”
Landers said that’s why the Master Food Preserver program, Kitchen Creations and other food preservation workshops are vital in addressing these challenges.
The Tribal Extension Program is part of Extension’s broader mission to serve all of New Mexico, from its urban centers to its most remote communities. For more information, visit tribalextension.nmsu.edu.
A version of this story appears in the fall 2025 issue of ACES Magazine. For more stories, visit https://nmsu.news/aces-magazine-2025.
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Written by: GiAndrea Hernandez
Cutline: Young archers take aim during the 4-H archery contest at the Eastern Navajo Fair in Crownpoint, New Mexico. Archery is one of the many activities offered through New Mexico State University’s Tribal Extension Program. (NMSU photo by GiAndrea Hernandez)
Cutline: From left, Clint Willeto, Cheryl Benally, Margilena Luna and Shellby Yazzie, who discussed the Tribal Extension Program with New Mexico State University President Valerio Ferme in July as a part of the From Campus to Community: NMSU Extension Impact Tour. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)