Horticulture - Our Foundation That Feeds Us

Ever wonder where that delicious kneel down bread came from?

Most people don’t even think about it.

It’s as if traditional Navajo food is always abundant.

But due to climate change and inclement weather, it is getting more difficult to plant and harvest traditional Navajo food such as corn, squash, melons and more.

Navajo horticulture and agriculture is a hard way to make a living. Many a farmer or two work before the crack of dawn to sun down. There is no one to give them a standing ovation for their endless hours working behind the scenes so to speak.

They are silent warriors that feed us.

But now you have a chance to show your appreciation to them by attending the 113th Annual Northern Navajo Fair Horticulture Exhibit on October 1-4, 2026 at the Northern Navajo Fairgrounds in Shiprock, New Mexico.

Navajo farmers are few and far between yet they are vital to helping sustain the Navajo Nation economy.

It takes a certain breed of people to have a sacred connection to the land and use it to plant and harvest crops to nourish our spirit, mind and body.

The Horticulture Exhibit is a time to honor all the hard working individuals in the field of horticulture and agriculture.

Horticulture is the traditional Navajo way of sustaining itself as a nation before the advent of modern day technology.

Navajo elders, our cultural treasures, are very resilient. They share stories about their difficult upbringing, but through traditional Navajo prayer, songs and ceremonies, they found strength to survive. Oftentimes, this included planting and harvesting their own food. Today, this tradition continues.

So that is why everyone is invited to visit the Horticulture Exhibit to honor all the individuals who entered their crops at this year’s Northern Navajo Fair.

Prizes will be awarded for: Best of Show; Best Farmer; Largest Watermelon; Largest Pumpkin; Vegetable/Fruit Basket; Floral Display/Basket and Largest Squash.

To add excitement, there will be a Scarecrow Contest. First prize will be $500 for the most creative and scariest scarecrow.

So if you have a knack for creativity and design, make sure you enter your scarecrow.

See you all at the Northern Navajo Fair Horticulture Exhibit!