The College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, has hired Scott Huber as the new senior assistant director of its Experiment Station unit. With nearly 30 years as a private ranch manager and five years with the Experiment Station, Huber brings the knowledge and experience needed to direct the research and programs being carried out at the Experiment Station’s various research and production facilities across the state.

“I am delighted that Scott has accepted this position,” Chris Pritsos, director of the Experiment Station and the College’s associate dean of research, said. “Scott is uniquely qualified to serve in this role due to his experience as a ranch manager and his demonstrated leadership over the past several years as assistant director for research for the Experiment Station.”

The College’s Experiment Station unit is one of a national network of experiment stations, and the unit maintains a network of field stations, laboratories and ranches throughout the state where research is conducted on issues important to the state, and the country. Research efforts focus on a variety of important issues related to, for example, agriculture and ranching, community development and economics, human health and well-being, and water and wildlife.

Huber wears many hats in his new role. He helps determine priorities and needs, and develop plans to meet them. He travels to the various properties extensively, assists with their management, assesses research needs, and helps promote and expand the research and projects being conducted statewide.

“I think the key is to maintain communication with site managers,” Huber said. “For me, this also means to have a ‘boots-on-the-ground’ presence throughout the year to fully understand how their day-to-day responsibilities play out and be able to provide hands-on support when needed.”

Current Experiment Station field station properties in the state include:

• Fallon Research Center, Fallon, Nevada
• Great Basin Research & Extension Center, Eureka, Nevada
• Gund Ranch Research & Training Facility, Grass Valley, Nevada
• Jay Dow Sr. Wetlands, Herlong, California
• Logandale Research & Extension Center, Logandale, Nevada
• Main Station Field Lab, Reno, Nevada
• Mary Gray Ranch, Reno, Nevada
• Valley Road Field Station, Reno, Nevada

Huber is currently developing ranch management plans for each of the field station properties.

“A ranch management plan allows us to establish specific goals that are aligned to the mission and vision of our Experiment Stations,” Huber said. “This becomes a working document that is continually evaluated and monitored for progress.”

One of Huber’s short-term goals is installing high-tech irrigation systems at the field stations that need them by this spring. He is also assisting in the preparation of planting winter crops, including alfalfa, winter wheat and triticale.