Native American food deserts have become a pressing issue, with many communities facing significant challenges in accessing fresh, nutritious food. The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is a prime example, where geographic isolation and economic hardships contribute to a lack of grocery stores and healthy food options. Running Strong for American Indian Youth® is committed to addressing this crisis by empowering Native American communities through organic gardening initiatives. Let’s learn about some of these initiatives, the positive impact they are making, and how you can make a difference.
Nurturing Community
Our organic gardens are more than just plots of land. They are seeds of hope, planted in the heart of communities struggling with food insecurity. By providing education, resources, and support, we are helping families cultivate not only fresh produce but also resilience and self-sufficiency.
The Medicine Root Gardening Program is a wonderful example of our impact. This nine-month program teaches families how to plan, plant, and harvest their own organic gardens. These organic home gardens nourish families and instill healthy eating habits in children. They also offer a chance to earn seasonal income by selling excess produce at local farmers’ markets or preserving it for winter. Additionally, the Medicine Root Gardening Program offers accounting lessons to assist families in future planning.
Throughout the Medicine Root greenhouses and hoop houses, the Pine Ridge Reservation gardeners have been able to extend the short growing season to get a head start on growing all sorts of fruits and vegetables. They are anticipating a wonderful harvest with over 75,000 pounds of fresh and healthy food this year.
The Slim Buttes Agricultural Program (SBAG) takes this concept a step further. It provides comprehensive gardening support to hundreds of families across the Pine Ridge Reservation. It is a community-driven organic gardening initiative aimed at boosting local food production and enhancing nutritional quality. The program also fosters self-reliance among the Oglala Lakota. By offering free soil preparation, seedlings, and various forms of gardening support, SBAG helps families across the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation cultivate their own food and adopt healthier, more active lifestyles.
Each year, SBAG supports over 400 gardens by tilling plots, delivering seedlings, distributing seed packages, and installing over nine miles of irrigation systems. Consequently, these gardens yield an array of produce including tomatoes, potatoes, beets, carrots, turnips, beans, melons, peppers, lettuce, spinach, squash, artichokes, and corn, leading to enhanced sustainability, improved nutrition, better health, and greater self-sufficiency for the community. By working collaboratively with the community, we are creating a sustainable food system that strengthens the entire community.
Economic Struggles and Community Resilience
In the face of soaring grocery prices and limited access to fresh food, the Pine Ridge Reservation exemplifies the profound challenges faced by rural communities across the United States. The Running Strong for American Indian Youth® initiatives to combat food deserts through community gardening are more crucial than ever. These efforts are a lifeline for many, as highlighted by recent insights from the Washington Post in an article titled, Small grocers feel squeezed by suppliers, and shoppers bear the pain.
The article focuses on RF Buche, the owner of Pine Ridge’s only full-service supermarket, and the difficulties faced by independent grocers: “We have to defend ourselves against accusations of price-gouging and that really, really stings.” His store, Buche Foods, is crucial for the area but faces economic pressures from larger competitors. FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya notes these grocers “don’t have a level playing field” due to systemic pricing disparities driven by big-box retailers.
The article explains that disparities in pricing result from systemic issues. Big-box retailers wield tremendous negotiating power, often leaving smaller stores to shoulder higher costs. These issues aren’t just figures on a spreadsheet—they translate into real-world hardships for communities like Pine Ridge, where unemployment rates and poverty levels are starkly high.
In this challenging landscape, the organic gardening initiatives led by Running Strong are more crucial than ever. Programs like the Medicine Root Gardening Program and the Slim Buttes Agricultural Program are not merely about growing produce; they empower communities with the skills and resources needed to foster self-reliance and resilience.
The connection between these gardening programs and the broader economic challenges cannot be overstated. While independent grocers face uphill battles, Running Strong’s initiatives provide a complementary approach to tackling food deserts in America, offering nutritious alternatives and fostering community resilience. By supporting these efforts, we can help transform not only the food landscape on the Pine Ridge Reservation but also reinforce the vital role of independent grocers in rural America.
From Seed to Supper: A Journey of Transformation
Our programs go beyond simply growing food. We are committed to fostering a holistic approach to health and well-being. Moreover, through educational components, we teach the importance of nutrition, food safety, and traditional foodways. By incorporating cultural practices into our gardening initiatives, we are strengthening connections to ancestral knowledge and promoting a sense of identity.
The impact of our work is undeniable. We have witnessed countless stories of transformation, from children thriving on nutrient-rich diets to families experiencing improved health outcomes. For example, our Smart Sacks program, which provides food-filled backpacks to children over weekends, is a testament to the urgent need for food assistance and the positive impact it has on these young lives.
2023 By The Numbers: A Year of Growth and Impact
Medicine Root Gardening Students:
- Trained or assisted 62 individuals of various ages in gardening techniques.
- Served people in 13 communities across the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
- Harvested and distributed 41,752 pounds of fresh produce to the community.
Slim Buttes Agricultural Development Program:
- Provided gardening assistance to 655 individuals, including 405 children and youth and 250 adults.
- Helped 85 families start a garden.
- Grew and distributed thousands of seedlings.
- Conducted food preservation workshops on traditional foods like corn, chokecherries, and amaranth.
- Harvested and distributed over 1,500 pounds of produce to community members.
A Harvest of Hope
The Slim Buttes Agricultural Development program and the Medicine Root Garden program are making a significant impact on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation by providing essential food education and resources. But more help is needed. Your support can help us achieve our goals for 2024:
Slim Buttes Agricultural Development:
- Expand gardening programs and reach more individuals.
- Increase the production of seedlings and organic seeds.
- Support community radio programs to promote food education.
- Promote tree planting for wind mitigation and environmental benefits.
Medicine Root Garden:
- Increase program participation and produce output.
- Encourage other districts to establish gardening programs.
- Support local businesses with fresh produce.
Together, we can make a difference. By donating, you support these vital initiatives and contribute to a healthier, sustainable future for the Pine Ridge community. Together, we can transform our native american food deserts into thriving food oases.
