The average carrot travels over 1,800 miles to get to our dinner plate. Processing and shipment of food accounts for 93 percent of our food cost.

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is offering eight new "Grow Your Own, Nevada!" classes in 12 locations statewide to help Nevadans who want to get on a path to more sustainable, local, healthy living by growing more of their own food.

"Anyone can become a better gardener by attending these classes," Cooperative Extension Horticulture Specialist Heidi Kratsch said. "From the beginner to the advanced gardener, everyone can benefit from a Grow Your Own class."

The series of workshops will run April 3 through May 22, and be held Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m. The workshops will provide gardeners and those interested in growing healthy foods with a "back-to-the-basics" guide to great harvests in Nevada. The workshop topics will include:

- April 3: Bring beneficial insects into your garden with native plants

- April 10: Soil basics and the best amendments

- April 17: Tomato basics (and not so basics)

- April 24: The ABCs of fruit trees

- May 1: Gardening with raised beds

- May 8: Growing organically

- May 15: Beekeeping

- May 22: Get a head start on pest control

The workshops will be held at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension office, 4955 Energy Way in Reno, and will also be available via videoconference at Cooperative Extension offices in Battle Mountain, Carson City, Elko, Eureka, Fallon, Gardnerville, Hawthorne, Lovelock, Pahrump, Tonopah, Winnemucca and Yerington.

"Gardening in Nevada is a challenge," Kratsch said. "But you can learn to deal with our harsh climate and poor soils by building on the success of others. Grow Your Own educators are experienced gardeners and are excited to share what they know with the community."

To register for any or all of the upcoming "Grow Your Own, Nevada!" classes, visit www.growyourownnevada.com or contact Ashley Andrews at 775-784-4848. The class fee for those attending at the Washoe County office is $15 per class or $60 for all eight classes. Class fees in other locations vary. Residents should contact their local Cooperative Extension office for information on attending the series in those locations. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event.