NAVAJO FARM LIFE: supporting family farms on the Navajo Nation
Da'ak'eh Iina is managed and operated by volunteers. Directors, scientists, managers, those who come to help around the farm for a week: we are all volunteers.
We operate a demonstration farm which grows field crops and vegetables in the Chinle Valley. Work on the farm includes, planting, cultivating and harvesting, maintaining irrigation systems and hauling water. The process of creating a fully functioning farming operation is ongoing and there are always numerous building and fencing projects. We are currently in our third year of operation.
WHERE WE WORK
The demonstration farm is in the Chinle Valley, just outside Chinle, AZ, a dusty impoverished town of dirt roads, government buildings and scattered homes, in the heart of the Navajo Nation. Chinle has a small grocery store, a hardware store, a Burger King, a Denny's, two local diners, four gas stations, an IHS hospital and various schools, K through 12. There are no hair salons, movie theaters, clothing stores, full service auto shops or liquor stores. These services can be found in Gallup, NM, about 100 miles away.
DINÉ CULTURE
The Diné culture has a unique set of customs, beliefs, traditions, celebrations, superstitions, social norms, humor and attire. A generation ago many of the elderly in the region did not speak English. Although this is rare today, the Diné language is still commonly spoken. Because Chinle is geographically isolated, and because 99% of its residents are Diné, volunteers are immersed in this rich and surprisingly intact culture. For those so inclined,there are lots of opportunities to learn about it, including powwows, rodeos, ceremonial dances and guided trips into Canyon de Chelly.
THINGS TO DO AROUND CHINLE
Chinle is located in the four corners region of the desert southwest, in one of the most diverse, historical and stunning parts of the US. Redrock canyons, 14,000 foot peaks and Anasazi ruins are all nearby. Among the many attractions are: Monument Valley (92 miles), Navajo Dam (150 miles), Mesa Verde (170 miles), Chaco Canyon (170 miles), Lake Powell (170 miles) and Arches Nation Park (198 miles). Chinle itself sits at the mouth of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, recognized worldwide for its centuries old Diné farms set among Anasazi ruins and towering redrock walls.
