While it’s harvest time many places, in southern Nevada, growers and gardeners are already looking to start planting for the future. Those interested in gardening don’t have to wait until spring to grow their budding horticultural skills. University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Harvest to Health upcoming educational series is teaching gardeners how to grow vegetables in southern Nevada's desert climate while exploring topics such as food waste, food production, food processing, food access and community resilience.

Harvest to Health is a six-week series that begins Sept. 29 and will be held weekly on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., until Nov. 3, at the Extension office, 8050 Paradise Road. The cost is $15 per class, and registration is required. Participants will receive a seed-starting kit to help establish their own fall garden and put newly learned skills into practice at home.

 "This series offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore the journey of food from seed to table and beyond," Lori Leas, Extension Master Gardener program officer, said. "Participants gain practical gardening skills while also learning about the broader food system that influences the food available in our communities."

The program is a collaborative effort between Extension's Master Gardener Program and Healthy Food Systems teams, and combines practical gardening education with food systems and nutrition concepts to help participants better understand the connections between growing food, healthy eating and community well-being.

 Weekly sessions include:

• Planning to Grow – Garden design, cool-season crops, companion planting and understanding where food comes from.
• The Soil Beneath Our Dreams – Desert soil improvement, composting and reducing food waste.
• Plant and Grow Your Own – Irrigation, soil assessment and sustainable food production practices.
• Growing Connections – Planting techniques, natural pest management and local food processing.
• Heartfelt Harvesting – Safe harvesting practices, nutrition and food access.
• Creating Resilient Gardens – Succession planting, seed saving and building a sustainable food future.

Designed for beginning gardeners, experienced growers and anyone interested in learning more about food and health, participants can expect presentations, hands-on activities and group discussions led by Extension educators and Master Gardener volunteers.

 “By connecting gardening, nutrition and food systems education, Harvest to Health helps residents develop practical skills that can improve household food production, reduce waste and strengthen community food resilience,” Leas said.

Email Leas or call her at 702-257-5501 for more information, or if you are in need of special accommodations or assistance at least five days prior to the scheduled event.