Agriculture producers and others are invited to tour field plots in northern Nevada where the University of Nevada, Reno and its partners are researching drought-tolerant and high-demand crops.

Three free field tours will be hosted, two in Fallon on Aug. 5 and 9, and one in Reno on Aug. 12.

“With a limited water supply, we are always looking for drought-tolerant crops for long-term sustainability,” said Maninder K. Walia, assistant professor and field crop specialist with University of Nevada, Reno Extension, who is conducting the tours and research as part of the Alternative Crops Program. “We are also looking at crops in high demand that our producers are interested in growing.”

The events will include walking tours and discussions of the crops being researched at two farms and at the University’s Valley Road Field Lab, where various research is done as part of the University of Nevada, Reno Experiment Station.

CBD, Fiber and Grain Hemp Tour in Fallon, Aug. 5, 9:30 – 11 a.m., at Western States Hemp, 8217 Pioneer Way and 9777 Pioneer Way.

In collaboration with Extension’s hemp team in Clark County led by ML Robinson, assistant professor and horticulture specialist, and Staci Emm, professor and Extension educator for Mineral County, Walia partnered with Joe Frey at Western States Hemp to research varieties of hemp for CBD, grain and fiber. This tour will cover two fields, one with hemp growing for CBD production and one with hemp growing for fiber and grain production.

Register for the hemp field tour online.  

Winter Squash Trial Tour in Fallon, Aug. 9, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., at Lattin Farms, 1955 McLean Road.

Walia is in the third year of this trial on winter squash varieties being conducted at Rick Lattin’s Lattin Farms in Fallon. Butternut squash in particular is in high demand at area restaurants and casinos, which are increasingly using it in soups and other recipes. Walia will discuss her findings on four winter squash varieties, in terms of their quality, consumer demand, ability to grow in Nevada’s climate and overall yield.

Register for the winter squash field tour online.

Fiber and Grain Hemp Tour in Reno, Aug. 12, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., at the University’s Experiment Station, Valley Road Field Lab, 910 Valley Road.

This tour will provide an in-the-field learning experience focusing on hemp as an alternative crop growing in northern Nevada. Walia says there has been a lot of interest from producers statewide in growing hemp, and research is needed on which varieties might do well in northern Nevada. This event will showcase a research trial conducted with hemp for fiber and grain production.

Register for the fiber and grain hemp field tour online.

Close-toed shoes and a shade hat are recommended during each event, and bottled water and light snacks will be provided. Each tour is limited to the first 75 people who register. For more information, call 775-423-5121 or email Linda Brown. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call or notify Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at Lessick's email or 702-257-5577 at least three days prior to the scheduled event.