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:
William A. Payne, Dean of the College
Earlier this month I emailed our students and employees, condemning racial hatred; injustice; violence directed at persons of color; and tragic, senseless murders of persons of color, including that of George Floyd. In that message, I also condemned those who take advantage of the situation to commit acts of violence, often in neighborhoods where diverse communities live.
I wrote I was asked to join the University's Presidential Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce, and how my experience on that taskforce led me to create a Diversity & Inclusion Committee for our College. I'd like you to meet our Committee's initial members. They're featured below.
Joining them will be academic and Extension faculty, classified staff, and graduate and undergraduate students. Together, they'll develop a new mission statement for our College, one that explicitly includes inclusion and diversity, and they'll develop and implement a strategic plan to improve diversity and inclusion within our College.
Meet the initial members of our College's Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Claus Tittiger
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Coretta Patterson
Teaching Assistant Professor & Student Advisor
Damion Greaves
Human Resources Specialist
Jamie Benedict
Professor & Department Chair
Juana B. Reynoza-Gomez
Director of Advising, Recruitment & Retention
Paul Lessick
Civil Rights and Compliance Coordinator
We are committed to taking actions necessary to ensure that all feel welcome and able to safely live, learn, work, and freely engage in the exchange of ideas and information. To our University community, please know you matter. We see you, stand with you and support you.
William A. Payne, Dean & Professor
College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources
Together we can change the world
We are committed to fostering a community where all are safe, welcome, respected and valued. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion contributes to social change, scientific discovery and advancement— together we can change the world.
Hannah Alfaro
The Douglas County beekeeping site houses 30,000 bees of two varieties. Photo by Kim Steed Photography.
Beekeeping in Nevada’s Douglas and Washoe Counties is on the rise, thanks to the efforts of our College.
In Douglas County, Lindsay Chichester, Extension educator with the College's Extension unit, began the process of creating the Douglas County Bee & Pollinator Club after a needs assessment survey showed community members had a high interest in learning beekeeping.
Chichester worked with the Great Basin Beekeepers of Nevada and Wild Harmony Ranch to set up five hives for community members to have a location where hands-on learning and demonstration can occur. To help promote the new program, Chichester also worked with the Carson Valley Arts Council to host a beekeeping-themed art contest. Other program partners include Pinenut Livestock Supply and Kim Steed Photography.
Chichester said, “You have to focus on the well-being of the bees and learn proper care, read their temperament and understand weather cues and nutrition.”
Another program, called Bees4Vets, is hosted at the College’s Experiment Station unit at the Main Station Field Lab in Reno. Bees4Vets is a nonprofit organization that aims to help military veterans and first responders recover from post-traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury. The program, created and run by Daniel and Ginger Fenwick, trains up to 10 veterans and first responders a year to manage the hives at the Main Station Field Lab at no cost to the participants.
Ginger said, “We’ve seen our participants take great strides in their personal recovery journeys by being in our program. A lot of people with PTSD have trouble with their focus and staying in the moment, but with bees you have to stay present.”
Join the club
Experience hands-on learning and demonstrations with experts on several aspects of beekeeping, such as the lifecycle of a bee, how to harvest honey, how to render wax and how to continue with beekeeping at home.
Tiffany Kozsan
This spring, Maninder Walia, assistant professor and Extension field crop specialist, began a three-year butternut squash crop trial based on consumer demand.
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, and researchers in our College and its Experiment Station and Extension units are hard at work finding fruit and vegetable varieties best for growing in Nevada.
The scientists are actively studying varieties requested by consumers and small-scale agricultural producers. Their goal is to help producers improve yield to meet demand while diversifying which produce can be grown commercially in the harsh climates of both the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert.
“I think now, maybe more than ever, people are beginning to realize the importance of having a safe, secure food supply, grown locally, to nourish our residents,” said Bill Payne, dean of the College.
In addition to finding new fruit and vegetable crops for Nevada producers to grow, some researchers are looking for ways to preserve the shelf life of existing crops. Dylan Kosma and Patricia Santos are searching for ways to reduce potato crop losses during storage. As the number one vegetable crop in the United States and a top-five crop for the state, potato crop losses can be economically devastating.
Don't squash demand
“When we help our agricultural producers discover new crops and techniques, we not only help provide a local food supply, but we also help sustain our agriculture and restaurant industries, boosting our state’s economy.” - Bill Payne
Sarah Monique Somma
4-H STEAM Coordinator Sarah Monique Somma creates curriculum to educate youth on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) topics and help them develop workforce skills. Her “Got Bars?” lesson incorporates skill development in music and technology.
"For many, music is a way to relax, energize and express themselves, and most importantly, to learn," Somma said. "Combining these elements in the classroom helps students make meaningful connections between content and the real world."
In “Got Bars?,” students work together to research the properties of matter, then compose original songs to teach the concepts to others. The lesson is an opportunity for young minds to think outside the box.
Somma said, "Don’t box them in. Let them explore the boundaries of the universe."
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills
Members learn life skills, make new friends, enhance self-esteem, achieve personal goals, develop positive relationships with peers and volunteers, and have fun learning and sharing as a family and a club
Hannah Alfaro
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Professor Gary Blomquist is set to retire at the end of June, leaving behind a legacy of significant research and major impacts on the University.
Blomquist joined the College in 1977 as an assistant professor. In his more than 40 years at the University, he held the position of department chair and mentored 21 doctoral and 20 post-doctoral students, many of whom went on to have outstanding careers in the field. Along with mentoring and teaching, he’s made substantial strides in research on the biochemical and physiological processes of insects.
His research is internationally recognized and he’s won numerous prestigious awards.
Although he’s retiring, Blomquist plans to keep an office and lab to complete ongoing research and finish editing the second edition of his book, “Insect Pheromone Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.”
Unlock the secrets within cells
“Gary instilled confidence in his students and peers and was intrinsically excited about research. He was a go-getter. He wanted to change the world and make the research in biochemistry a number-one thing.” - Robert Ryan
Our teaching, research and engagement programs are intertwined and complement one another. Faculty who teach on campus also conduct research as part of our Experiment Station, allowing students to learn about and participate in research. Extension faculty engaging with communities identify research needs, as well as join Experiment Station faculty to conduct research. Faculty on campus help to develop Extension programs in communities.
Want to help grow Nevada?
Consider making a contribution in support of classroom, lab or office space; graduate assistantships; student scholarships; or upgrades to the Nevada 4-H Camp. To learn more, please contact Mitch Klaich '02, director of development, at 775-682-6490.
