Print HORTICULTURE Handbook

HORTICULTURE EXHIBIT 9/6 - 9/13/09

Historically, the Horticulture Exhibit was one of the primary and major focal events of the Fair.
Farmers brought their produce and crops to the Fair not only to enter in competition but, to sell
and trade for goods they needed at home. They came in wagons, drawn by horse, their wagons
contained as much produce as they could pack into it. It was a long journey to the fair but, it was
an annual event that could not be missed. They often met their relatives and friends at the fair and
enjoyed sharing melon, corn, squash with hot tortillas or frybread. Today, the only thing that has
changed is farmers bring their produce in pickup trucks, they still enjoy the competition, but more
importantly they use this time to visit with relatives and friends who also visit the fair. Due to the
improved methods of farming, new varieties of vegetables and fruits, production has increased and
farmers have more produce.

In our Northern Navajo Agency, they irrigate their produce and crops from the San Juan River,
making this area the major farming region of the Navajo Nation. Several Navajo Chapters make up
the San Juan River Farm Board, they ensure and encourage all farmers with farmland, to farm
their farm plots. The major produce and crop grown in this area is Navajo Corn and Alfalfa Hay.

We have five reservoir or man-made lakes which make up Ganado, Many Farms,
Tsaile/Wheatfields farm areas in Arizona and Red Lake, Red Willow which are located in New
Mexico. These farmers irrigate their crops and produce from nearby reservoirs. They are
represented by individual farm boards who have been elected by their Navajo Chapters for their
respective farm area. While Red Lake, Tsaile/Wheatfield and Ganado are located on higher
elevations of the Navajo Nation, their regions get approximately over 20 inches of rainfall annually.
The remaining two farm areas are located in lower elevations and receive from 10 to 16 inches of
rainfall annually.

The Navajo Nation also has small dryland farm areas, located throughout the reservation. The
individuals who farm these areas have their own unique way of farming. Dryland farming is just
that, they rely on annual rainfall throughout the Navajo Nation monsoon season, from late June to
August to grow their crops. Initially, they plant their crops in mid May, they receive the last of the
rainfall for the spring then, endure until the last week of June when the rain starts. It is not
uncommon to see these farmers haul water to their crops of vegetables, primarily Navajo Corn to
get them to the monsoon season.

All in all, the growing season varies throughout the Navajo Nation, in our higher elevations we get a
90 day growing season, in lower elevations we get a 120 day growing season. Every year new
farmers and gardeners try their hand at growing produce and crops. Limitations of water whether
we are farmers with large acreage or gardeners in our back yards play a big role in our success and
our continued effort to farm and garden. We are hard working people, not afraid to plant, weed
and water our plants but, if there’s no water available, we wait for the next year.

Event Coordinator: Judy R. Willeto, Coordinator , 928.871.7048