University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's Risk Management Education Program was awarded a $248,000 grant to provide educational programs for Nevada's agriculture producers. The grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency, will allow Cooperative Extension to continue and expand the program, which it began in 2006, for another year.

"This program has reached several hundred farmers and ranchers across the state, with many reporting that they have made changes in their business practices because of what they have learned," said Ivory Lyles, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Director. "It helps them to sustain their businesses in difficult times and to improve profitability, ensuring that Nevada keeps a healthy agriculture industry. I am very pleased the USDA sees the value of the excellent work our educators are doing, and is granting the program additional funds to continue."

Program Director Staci Emm develops workshops and other outreach efforts to help Nevada's producers understand the risks they face in agricultural production and teach strategies to mitigate those risks to increase the chance of economic survival and sustainability. The program also helps address the problem of Nevada's food deserts and helps provide healthy local produce and meat for Nevada citizens. Commercial, beginning, socially disadvantaged, and transitioning farmers and ranchers in Nevada learn about crop and livestock insurance; financial record keeping; using the rainfall index and drought monitor to make informed decisions; livestock market decision making; and the agricultural market outlook for hay, cattle and dairies.

The renewed grant will allow the project to offer 14 components in the coming year, including 60 additional workshops. The team will also work with the USDA's Risk Management Agency and insurance agents to advertise, create hypothetical circumstances to help producers determine if crop insurance is necessary, and better inform producers about deadlines for purchasing different types of insurance. In addition, the project will be able to expand outreach and community connections through social media and at county fairs, conventions and other public events.

The Nevada Risk Management Education Program is run in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nevada Department of Agriculture, American Indian Tribes, Nevada Cattlemen's Association, Nevada Farm Bureau and Nevada Agricultural Foundation.