The weather patterns impacting Nevada 2018 are unknown at this time. Nevada was designated as a high-risk area for severe to exceptional drought in 2016 and designated for extreme flooding in 2017. Depending on the risk, there are U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that are designed to assist producers in managing their risks. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the USDA, is offering a USDA Program Update workshop at several locations in Nevada for producers to learn what programs are available.

The workshop will focus on water conservation and emergency programs offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service; crop insurance, emergency loans and livestock feed programs offered by the Farm Service Agency; crop and livestock insurance programs offered by the Risk Management Agency for the 2018 agricultural year; predictions on weather patterns in 2018; and information about renewable energy assistance by the State of Nevada.

The workshop will be offered at seven locations throughout the state:

• 10 a.m., Aug. 28, in Nixon, in the Tribal Chambers at the Pyramid Lake Piute Tribe, 208 Capital Hill
• 6 p.m., Aug. 28, in Yerington, at Lyon County Cooperative Extension, 504 S. Main St.
• 6 p.m., Aug. 29, in Fallon, at Churchill County Cooperative Extension, 111 Sheckler Road
• 6 p.m., Aug. 30, in Lovelock, at Pershing County Cooperative Extension, 810 Sixth St.
• 10 a.m. MST, Sept. 5, in Owyhee, at the Duck Valley Reservation: Owyhee Human Development Center, 1284 OPD Road
• 6 p.m., Sept. 5, in Elko, at the Elko Convention Center, 700 Moren Way
• 10 a.m., Sept. 6, in Winnemucca, at Humboldt County Cooperative Extension, 1085 Fairgrounds Road

Specific presentations include:

• Impacts of Climate on Nevada Farms and Ranches, by Nevada Climatologist Doug Boyle, with the University's Department of Geography
• Renewable Energy Assistance for Agricultural Producers or Small Businesses in rural counties of Nevada, by Management Analyst Susanne Linfante, with the Governor's Office of Energy. (Presented only at Fallon, Elko and Yerington workshops)
• Overview of crop and Livestock Insurance Sales Closing Dates, by Extension Educator Staci Emm
• Program Update for Farm Services Agency, by the Agriculture Department's Farm Service Agency Interim Director Janice Kolvet
• Program Update for Natural Resources Conservation Service, by Natural Resources Conservation Service program staff  

The workshop is funded by the USDA, Risk Management Agency. For more information, contact Program Organizer Crystal Sasser, sasserc@unce.unr.edu or 775-475-4236, or the Mineral County Cooperative Extension office, 775-945-3444. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance must call 775-945-3444 or notify organizers at least three days prior to the scheduled event.