For the third time in Northern Nevada, the award-winning Nevada Grows event will celebrate Nevada agriculture by holding a fund-raising reception featuring Nevada-grown food on September 7, 2007. The event, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Governor's Mansion in Carson City.

Promising the finest in Nevada-grown products, Nevada Grows features signature cuisine created from the tireless efforts of more than a dozen of Nevada's agricultural producers and skillfully prepared by members of the Carson City High School Culinary Arts Program under the direction of teacher Penny Reynolds.

Entertainment will be provided by the popular country-western star Hal Ketchum, who blazed on the scene with his hit song "Small Town Saturday Night." He often hosts the television show "Opry Live" which airs Saturdays on the Great American Country Network.

Other highlights include a Nevada lineup of food and dessert, a Nevada Wine tasting, silent auction, raffle prizes and a no-host bar.

"Nevada Grows has been one of our most successful events," said David Thawley, dean of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources (CABNR), which collaborates with the Friends and Alumni of CABNR in putting on the event. "It has been an important event not only because it raises awareness about the great variety of food that is grown in Nevada, but also in continuing the future of the industry through scholarship opportunities for students in the college.

"This event is a key factor in the ability of some of our students to afford college, and it's a tremendous showcase of Nevada agriculture."

In addition to the University, the event is sponsored by Amtrak, Tahoe Ridge Winery and Marketplace, the Nevada Association of Counties, the Carson City High School Culinary Arts Program, the Nevada Department of Agriculture, Mike Stewart, NevadaGrown, the Churchill County Economic Development Authority, the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Nevada Ag Council and the Nevada Beef Council.

Event tickets are $100 each. For registration information, contact Jean Carbon, director of development and public relations in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, at (775) 784-4390 or carbon@unr.edu.

All event proceeds go toward scholarships for students in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources.