Project on Navajo Nation eyes new gardening skills

SHIPROCK, N.M. (AP) - A new projects aims to teach Navajo Nation residents about gardening and healthy eating.

The Daily Times in Farmington, New Mexico, reports that Yeego Gardening Project, launched by the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center, began Saturday and is part of a scientific study.

Kevin Lombard, a San Juan College instructor, said the goal is to combine healthy living with raising food.

The Yeego Gardening Project held its first workshop Saturday at a garden near the Shiprock Chapter House.

Participants in the workshop series fill out a survey prior to starting the workshops and multiple times during the course of the season, which will end in October.

Researchers are interested in seeing if attitudes and eating habits change because of access to the community garden.