Growing Nevada

About our College

A founding college of the University, we have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, research and engagement programs that benefit the health and economic vitality of Nevada. We offer programs in:

• agriculture, horticulture, rangeland & veterinary sciences
• biochemistry & molecular biology
• children, youth & families
• community & economic development
• health & nutrition
• natural resources & environmental science

What should we be eating to help us resist the coronavirus?

University dietitian provides research-based information

David St-Jules

Eating a balanced, varied diet as recommended by the USDA’s MyPlate guidelines is the best way to supply the nutritional fuel that our immune engines need. Photo by Crystal Momii, Extension.

Our current attitudes and beliefs toward healthy eating are largely shaped by nutrition research and marketing designed to address the long-standing epidemics of obesity, and obesity-related chronic diseases in the U.S., not deal with infectious diseases such as COVID-19. When faced with the threat of a currently untreatable, potentially fatal disease, it is common for us to look to diet for a potential cure. However, we must realize that foods and supplements are not drugs, and diet is necessarily limited in what it can achieve. Arguably the best thing that people can do to help combat coronavirus is to follow the evidence-based guidelines for healthy eating designed to provide adequate nutrition, including adequate nutrition to help ensure our immune systems are properly functioning.

Campus labs supplying equipment for School of Medicine use and patient care

University banding together to provide medical supplies for COVID-19 care – more supplies needed

Claudene Wharton

Chris Pritsos, associate director for research and director of the Experiment Station for our College, delivers personal protective equipment the College donated to UNR Med. Photo by Brin Reynolds, UNR Med.

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) has received 36,650 gloves, 61 masks, 10 face shields and 13 goggles – personal protective equipment much needed for the COVID-19 testing medical students are performing at the School’s University Health internal medicine practice in Reno, and for other care UNR Med and University Health clinical operations are providing across the state.

Faculty of our College and its Experiment Station gathered the items from their labs and delivered them to their colleagues at UNR Med this week.

“I was extremely pleased by our faculty’s response,” said Chris Pritsos, associate dean of research and director of the Experiment Station for the College, who coordinated the effort. “They were truly happy to contribute during this time of need. They had these items in their labs for their work, but put the highest priority on the health of our communities, which is exactly what we need to do right now. Their lab supplies will be replenished at a later date.”

Grow Your Own, Nevada classes return virtually

Extension presents eight back-to-basics courses to be offered online for communities statewide

Hannah Alfaro

Extension virtually presents “Raised Bed Gardening” as part of the online “Grow Your Own, Nevada!” series. Photo by Wendy Hanson Mazet, Extension.

Gardening is a great activity that can be done at home, and Extension is offering online courses to teach gardening basics. This April, Extension's Grow Your Own, Nevada! Program will live stream eight classes statewide to help those who want to get on a path to more sustainable, local, healthy living by growing more of their own food.

“Preschool children served homegrown produce are more than twice as likely to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day as children who rarely eat homegrown produce,” Extension Horticulture Specialist Heidi Kratsch said. “Gardening in Nevada can be a challenge, but Grow Your Own educators are experienced gardeners and growers, and are excited to share what they know with the community.”

The series of workshops will run 6-7:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 7-30 OR 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. The workshops will provide gardeners and those interested in growing healthy foods with a back-to-the-basics guide to producing bountiful harvests in Nevada.

4-H youth sew masks for Carson-Tahoe Hospital, Elko County Emergency Operations Center

Elko County 4-H youth partner with 4-H alumna and others to help doctors, nurses

Elko County 4-H

Youth are helping to save lives, providing community service, learning and practicing important life skills, and recycling scrap fabric. Photo courtesy of Seams So Easy.

Health care workers in Nevada are facing shortages of personal protective equipment, and doctors and nurses are reusing their disposable masks. To help, Extension, Elko County 4-H youth are following Centers for Disease Control instructions to sew masks from home. They are helped by the National 4-H Council supporter JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores, who provided a step-by-step video tutorial and supplies too.

As 4-H'ers work to provide the masks for those who need them, the youth follow washing, packaging and physical distancing instructions. This ensures their safety. It also ensures clean masks are delivered to our healthcare workers. In partnership with a 4-H alum who works at Carson-Tahoe Hospital, some masks are mailed there. Some masks go to Elko County Emergency Operations Center.