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Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 5:34 AM
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After 40 Years, Nevada’s State Entomologist Jeff Knight Set to Retire

After 40 Years, Nevada’s State Entomologist Jeff Knight Set to Retire
Jeff Knight sharing his passion. Photo courtesy
of NDA.

After four decades of dedicated service to the Silver State, Jeff Knight, Nevada’s longtime state entomologist, is preparing to retire. His final day with the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) will be Friday, July 4, 2025.

Knight’s path to entomology began in childhood, sparked by an early fascination with insects and nurtured through 4-H programs. He earned a Bachelor of Science in pest management from the University of Nevada, Reno, followed by a Master of Science in entomology from Utah State University. He first joined NDA as a seasonal entomologist in 1977.

Knight has deep Nevada roots and strong ties to the Fallon community. In October 1976, he married Fallon resident Virginia Guazzini. They welcomed son Brian in 1980 and daughter Angela in 1982. He continues to spend much of his time in Fallon with family.

In 1993, Knight was promoted to state entomologist, a role in which he helped safeguard Nevada’s economy and food systems by leading responses to invasive species and agricultural pests. According to NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea, Knight’s “passion and dedication to the development and curation of the State of Nevada Entomology Collection has catalogued the discovery of new species within the state and expanded the formal state records for species.”

Knight also became a go-to resource for the public and agriculture professionals alike, identifying countless specimens and offering guidance on pest management. “He has also identified innumerable samples from the public and agriculture community, offering insights and management recommendations,” Goicoechea noted.

Throughout his career, Knight was known not only for his scientific expertise but also for his commitment to public education and environmental stewardship. “Jeff is regarded as a tireless advocate for environmental stewardship, educating Nevadans on the importance of sustainable practices to preserve our state’s valuable ecosystems,” said Goicoechea.

Knight has worked on several of Nevada’s major insect issues, including Mormon crickets, fire ants, grasshoppers, gypsy moths, spiders, Japanese beetles, Africanized honeybees, and more. He has given thousands—literally—of lectures throughout Nevada and Fallon, working closely with the University of Nevada Extension Office, Master Gardeners, schools, and other organizations. He is a familiar face at the Fallon Cantaloupe Festival, often staffing the Department of Agriculture’s booth, and has spent countless hours teaching students about insects in classrooms across the region.

 

 

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July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 1
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COMMENTS
Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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