   Agriculture in Canyon de Chelly - September 5, 2007 Jeff Schalau, Associate Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County In the heart of the Navajo Nation is Canyon de Chelly: one of Arizona’s agricultural treasures. A National Monument since 1931, Canyon de Chelly is still a working agricultural landscape as well as a cultural resource for the Navajo people. Petrified sand dunes formed the canyon walls and erosion over millennia carved out the canyon and created alluvial benches and floodplains where corn, pumpkins, melons, beans, squash, peaches, apples, and other crops are grown by the Navajo people. Sheep, cattle, and a few goats are also grazed in the canyon. Temperatures in the canyons range from 104°F in the summer to -30°F in the winter. Archeological evidence shows that the canyon was inhabited and farmed by the Basketmaker II and III cultures between 1,500 and 2,000 years ago. The Basketmakers practiced simple agriculture growing crops of maize and squash irrigated by the canyon streams. They also made fine baskets, sandals, and other woven articles. The Anasazi period followed the Basketmakers. The Anasazi started building simple pueblo structures which served first as storage rooms, then as residences and kivas. The Anasazi began growing beans and cotton, had domesticated dogs and turkeys, and were accomplished weavers of cotton clothing and blankets. Pottery making and the use of the bow and arrow also developed during the Anasazi period. The Canyon de Chelly Anasazi population increased greatly between 850 and 1150. This was probably due to the favorable climate during this period. Evidence from tree rings, fossil pollen and plant fragments indicate that rainfall was especially high between 1050 and 1150. The use of rock shelters for living quarters declined during this period, but increased again starting in about 1250 when the larger pueblos were built creating the impressive ruins we see there today. Tree rings indicate the latest pueblo construction in Canyon de Chelly was in 1286 and by the end of the thirteenth century the region had been entirely abandoned. The Anasazi abandoned the Four Corners Region for unknown reasons. Common hypotheses include drought, natural resource depletion, arroyo cutting, warfare or more likely, combinations of these factors. The Anasazi of Canyon de Chelly likely joined other Anasazi immigrants in new pueblos to the south and east, where their descendents still live today. Hopi people intermittently inhabited Canyon de Chelly following the Anasazi and Navajo people began to settle in Canyon de Chelly in about 1750. The Spanish were also exploring the area and settling areas in the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico. The Spanish brought peaches to the New World in the 1600’s and these peaches found their way to Canyon de Chelly in the early 1700’s. Peaches are still grown in Canyon de Chelly by the Navajo people living there and their heritage is an important cultural value. However, peach trees have been declining in recent years. The National Park Service is collaborating with the Navajo people to preserve this precious cultural resource. Invasive plants now threaten the agricultural traditions of Canyon de Chelly. Two tree species, tamarisk and Russian olive were introduced to the area in the 1930’s by the Soil Conservation Service as an erosion control/bank stabilization measure. These two species have invaded much of the canyon and displaced native cottonwoods, willows, and hackberries. The result is not only an exotic plant community, but also caused alterations to stream morphology, hydrology and soil chemistry. Russian knapweed was also introduced, probably as a contaminant in hay and spread by vehicles and animals. Drought has also impacted Canyon de Chelly agriculture in recent years. The National Park Service continues to work with the 80 Navajo families that live and work within Canyon de Chelly National Monument. This unique relationship between Navajos and the National Park Service allows preservation of cultural and natural resources. Invasive species management programs are planned and being implemented within the monument. Hopefully, these efforts will conserve the rich agricultural heritage of Canyon de Chelly. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest control. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or E-mail us at cottonwoodmg@yahoo.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/. |