University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Herds & Harvest Program is providing a certification program Jan. 22 – March 19 geared toward new or up-and-coming ranchers and farmers that will allow them to obtain a Nevada Beginning Farmer & Rancher Level 1 Small Acreage and Farm to Fork Certification. The classes will take place 6 – 8 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 22 – March 19, with additional field trips touring small-acreage farms and ranches in Washoe and Douglas counties.
The program’s courses will be conducted via Zoom and will draw upon the knowledge and experience of established Nevada agriculture producers and University of Nevada, Reno experts. Participants who complete the course, attend a tour or one of the spring Nevada agriculture conferences, and complete a business plan review will receive their Level 1 Certification. Course topics include:
- Jan. 22: An overview of small-acreage and farm-to-fork production, including identifying resources, understanding jurisdictions, developing a business plan and setting goals.
- Feb. 5: Soil health and livestock grazing, focusing on plant needs and how to determine the best plants for a given land space. This will include an overview of how plants grow, nutrients and day length requirements, and soil basics.
- Feb. 12: Value-added programs in Nevada and where and how to market products, including farm stands, direct market sales, sale yards, using Nevada Grown and social media. Participants will also learn how to develop a marketing plan.
- Feb. 19: Livestock production focuses on needs and requirements, including basics of livestock and poultry nutrition, feed management, reproduction and the Quality Assurance Program.
- Feb. 26: Meat quality, processing and training, including the characteristics of meat based on nutritional management and an overview of meat regulations in Nevada and the statewide meat program.
- March 5: Understanding Nevada water, focusing on the basics of water rights and water law in Nevada.
- March 12: Farm financial management in the 21st century, focusing on financially building a farm, building business skills and assets, estate planning, and balance and cash flow basics.
- March 19: Partners and funding, including an overview of opportunities and resources available to Nevada producers.
- Field trip (dates to be determined): Field trips touring local farms and ranches in Washoe and Douglas counties will be available to participants, who can choose to attend either a tour or one of the Extension’s Agricultural Conferences to receive certification in the course.
The cost for the program is $60 per person, and registration can be completed online. For more information, email Staci Emm, Extension professor, or call her at 775-312-0424; or email Kaley Chapin, Extension outreach specialist, or call her at 702-467-2668.
Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should email Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, or call him at 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.
The Extension Herds & Harvest Program combines a series of workshops on different topics and provides educational business management and mentoring skill building to support Nevada agricultural producers. The project is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
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