Hopi farmers who have cooperated with conservation and livestock technicians of the Indian Service and increased the productivity of their farm and ranch operations were honored at a recent ceremony at Polacca school on the First Mesa in Arizona.
John C. McPhee, representing the Window Rock Area of the Indian Service, presented the United States Department of Interior Conservation Service Award certificate to Andrew Seechoma, chairman of the First Mesa village delegation. Herbert Seeni, George Cochise and Samuel Shing, Hopi leaders, reviewed the progress of their farm and stock efforts.
Government representatives who spoke included Dow Carnal, superintendent of the Hopi agency; L.W. Rogers, Jr., soil technician; Paul Krause, range technician; Howard Johnson, chief of the extension branch; Jean Fredericks, water supply branch; Otto K. Weaver, conservationist and James S. Beck, extension agent.
The award was based on a record of achievement which began 10 years ago. On 242,463 acres of land, the Hopis have saved the soil through erosion preventive measures; have improved the range and marketing methods and increased production of crops and orchards. Fleeces now weigh approximately eight pounds, an increase of four pounds. Lambs now weigh 75 pounds when marketed. In 1933 they weighed only 40 pounds.
