Hay Distribution Updates For Navajo-Churro Shepherds

Written by Jennifer Douglass

Irene and Rachel in Tuba City.

One of the elderly shepherd's herds that we are helping to keep alive.

Over the past two months we have been working hard on the drought relief.

On July 6, we were able to supply hay to 10 shepherds and 314 sheep in the Tuba City area. The week after, I took a trip to Washington DC to talk with our two New Mexico Senators, Tom Udall and Martin Hienrich about the Investments in Resilience project and how we can create a mitigation relief through the USDA and/or FEMA. I was able to speak with both representatives of FEMA and the USDA about possible solutions. I was also given names and numbers for possible foundations that can assist with finding monies for feed.

On August 10, we had another successful hay distribution to 20 shepherds at NAPI farms in Farmington, NM.

Loading a shepherd up with hay at NAPI.

We initially contacted NAPI in May about our Drought relief and what we were doing and they have been generous with their donations as well as working alongside us to help the traditional shepherds. NAPI is Navajo-owned and run and they have been extremely supportive with our mission in the drought relief. As a matter of fact, the Operations Director at NAPI is a shepherd and weaver herself and understands.

THANK YOU NAPI!

I invite all shepherds and interested folks to get involved and be part of this very important time. Solidarity and supporting one another brings such hope in a trying time.

We literally can move mountains!

#NavajoChurrosheep #heritagebreeds #sheep #pastoralist #sheep