Innovating for Nevada

In this edition

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 and veterinary sciences
biochemistry and molecular biology
children, youth and families
community and economic development
health and nutrition
natural resources and environmental science

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NEVADA FIELD DAY & AG EXPO

Food, giveaways, activities and demonstrations from University experts

Friday, June 2, 3 - 7 p.m. | 1000 Valley Road, Reno

Take me to Nevada Field Day!

College's Wolf Pack Meats reopens production facility

New partnership will help ramp up processing capacity and increase retail offerings

Mark Earnest

Tom Kulas, operations manager (left), and JD Hoagland, consultant, have been working on processes as part of Wolf Pack Meats’ recent production reopening. Photo by Mark Earnest.

Wolf Pack Meats, part of the College’s Experiment Station unit, has resumed its meat processing operations after a four-month hiatus. The team has hit the ground running with plans to increase production to better meet the needs of local ranchers, as well as offer more retail options for the community. During those four months:

A new boiler was installed.
A Request for Proposal went out to find a consultant with whom to partner in order to expand processing capacity. As a result, JD Hoagland, CEO of his own processing plant in Homedale, Idaho, was awarded a two-year contract.
Hoagland hired and trained a group of Reno residents, who have already begun harvesting and processing animals.

Ramping up to meet needs

Wolf Pack Meats works closely with local farmers, ranchers and small producers, supporting and strengthening the state’s family-oriented ranch system.

“We’re beginning again, really looking at every step of the process and re-establishing the best ways to do this,” Wolf Pack Meats Operations Manager Tom Kulas said. “In the past, we’ve had far more work than we had capacity to do, but now we’ll be able to increase capacity and provide a higher level of customer service.”

Looking ahead

Shorter- and long-term goals are to:

Feature more pork and lamb offerings, and expand the retail product line to include jerky and sausages.
Start a home delivery service, begin online sales and establish a presence at farmers markets.
Build more partnerships, and foster more opportunities for students to gain experience and research to take place.

See the KRNV news story

Enhancing opportunities for Nevadans

“Production levels are increasing, allowing us to better serve our local ranching community. All these efforts allow Wolf Pack Meats to fulfill its mission of enhancing teaching and research opportunities for our students and faculty, learning opportunities for youth groups such as 4-H, and more outreach to the community.” – Experiment Station Director Chris Pritsos

Learn about Wolf Pack Meats

Visit Wolf Pack Meats

Nevada Drought Update for April

Drought was alleviated across much of Nevada

Benjamin Khoh, environmental science student

Most of the state is no longer in drought due to large amounts of precipitation throughout the winter.

Benjamin Khoh works with Extension’s Nevada State Climate Office and Living With Drought Program, which are led by Extension Climatologist Steph McAfee.

Much of the state is now drought-free and potentially at risk for flooding. Wet winters can also mean lots of grass and high fire risk at lower elevations.

Only 5% of the state is classified as D2-Severe Drought, a substantial decrease from just a month ago when 51.35% of the state was D2-Severe Drought. Southern Nevada is likely to remain in drought through June. Resolution of the remaining drought in the rest of the state is likely.

Water levels for many Sierra reservoirs are near or above normal for March. Some may be below normal to have space for snowmelt or other planned water storage. Many western Nevada streams reported above normal flows and record highs.

Lake Mead dropped almost a foot to 1,046 feet in late March and is at 28% capacity. Forecasts have Lake Mead dropping to a low of 1,030 feet during mid-summer. Stream flows in the south were variable, with record highs and unusual lows observed.

Get the full update

Is having extreme weather the new normal?

Extension climatologist shares her expertise

Steph McAfee

People say there's nothing certain but death and taxes. As a climatologist, I would say that there's nothing certain but death, taxes and extreme weather.

Climate change is making some types of extreme weather more likely and other types less common.

Explore extreme weather

Connecting Nevadans with essential resources

Extension connects homeowners, gardeners, farmers, ranchers, natural resource managers and others to essential information, research and resources that help assess and address the impacts of weather and climate in Nevada.

Explore Extension resources

Visit the Climate Office

Learn about drought

Extension launches program to connect and support Latina entrepreneurs

Spanish-language monthly breakfasts cohosted by Extension and the Latin Chamber begin April 28

Molly Malloy

Reyna Mendez (fourth from left), Extension Small Business Development Program instructor, poses with a group of Latina business owners after a small business training class. Photo by Farrah Stockett.

Latina entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to engage and connect with one another, as well as with educational opportunities and resources to help them succeed, when Extension kicks off its monthly breakfast series on April 28.

The series will be held the last Friday of each month from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Extension’s North Las Vegas office. It will be conducted in Spanish and feature guest speakers on topics relevant to Latina entrepreneurs. Latina-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S.

Integrity Law Firm founder and attorney Adriana Pereya is the guest speaker at the April 28 event. Pereya will discuss the effects of immigration on women entrepreneurship.

Connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities

“We are so excited to be partnered with Extension in helping Spanish-speaking women business owners network and connect to find new business growth opportunities.” - Latin Chamber of Commerce Nevada Vice President Carlos Gomez

Learn about the series

Agriculture producers to gather at the Nevada Small Agriculture Conference

Farm Bureau and Extension team up to provide latest information to producers May 5-6 in Las Vegas

Claudene Wharton

The Nevada Small Agriculture Conference will be held May 5-6, at the Santa Fe Station in Las Vegas.

Those with smaller agricultural operations, or considering getting into the business, can get a wealth of information on the newest techniques and resources at the Nevada Small Agriculture Conference, May 5-6, at the Santa Fe Station in Las Vegas. The event is being coordinated by the Nevada Farm Bureau and Extension, with assistance from the USDA’s Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (WSARE).

May 5

Morning and afternoon breakout sessions
A lunch session on marketing tools
An evening social and trade show
Dinner with a keynote speaker

May 6

Morning and afternoon breakout sessions
A lunch session on success stories using WSARE funds
Panel discussion with agriculture leaders in the state

The cost to register online by April 25 is $80 (or $55 for Nevada Farm Bureau members). Late registration at the event will be limited, and prices will go up.

See the Farm Progress news story

Advancing Nevada agriculture

“Small-acreage producers will be able to network with one another, as well as get the latest information on research, production and resources from experts, such as those from Nevada Farm Bureau, our College’s Extension and Experiment Station units, federal and state agencies, and more.” -Senior Marketing Specialist Claudene Wharton

Youth from across the state civically engaged through 4-H Capital Days

Extension 4-H Youth Development Program members traveled to Carson City to tour the capital, meet with lawmakers and discuss issues important to Nevada's young people

Molly Malloy

Extension's 4-H youth met with Senator Nicole J. Cannizzaro, the majority leader.
Extension's 4-H youth met with Senator Nicole J. Cannizzaro, the majority leader.
Youth discussed issues important to Nevada’s young people with Senator Heidi Seevers Gansert, the minority leader.
Youth discussed issues important to Nevada’s young people with Senator Heidi Seevers Gansert, the minority leader.
Capital Days participants also had facetime with Senator Fabian Doñate, the co-majority whip.
Capital Days participants also had facetime with Senator Fabian Doñate, the co-majority whip.
Participants heard from a paid staffer at the Nevada State Legislative Building about what the role entails and how to begin in the career.
Participants heard from a paid staffer at the Nevada State Legislative Building about what the role entails and how to begin in the career.
Extension 4-H youth from across the state traveled to Carson City to tour the capital, meet with lawmakers and discuss issues important to Nevada's young people.

Members of Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program visited the Nevada Legislature as part of 4-H Capital Days on March 23. The annual event is designed to increase civic engagement among high school-aged youth by providing them first-hand experience with Nevada’s law-making process. This year, nearly 50 youth from across the state participated.

During their visit to Carson City, the 4-H youth had the opportunity to attend legislative committee meetings and discuss issues important to them at legislative round tables, as well as attend floor sessions in the senate and assembly.

Learn about Capital Days

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.

Learn about 4-H

Volunteer with 4-H

Support 4-H

Our programs work together to make an impact

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.

Researching critical issues Experiment Station faculty conduct research at experiment stations, labs and research facilities across the state, as well as teach classes and share and conduct research with students. The state-federal partnership tackles issues affecting Nevada's citizens, communities and economy.

student researcher with plants in greenhouse

Teaching University students We offer 17 undergraduate and graduate degrees to prepare students for high-paying, in-demand careers in agriculture, rangeland & veterinary sciences; biochemistry & molecular biology; natural resources & environmental science; and nutrition.

Engaging Nevada communities Extension is engaged in Nevada communities, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs. The county-state-federal partnership provides practical education to people, businesses and communities, fulfilling the University's land-grant mission.