Rachel Dahl
Farmers whose work helped lay the foundation for organic certification, tribal food systems, and small-farm agriculture in Nevada were honored last week during the Nevada Farmers Forum, a two-day gathering focused on practical education and peer-to-peer learning.
The forum was hosted by the University of Nevada, Reno, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23–24, at the Joe Crowley Student Union on the UNR campus. Designed to bring together farmers, ranchers, and agricultural leaders from across the state, the event emphasized hands-on learning, networking, and strategies to strengthen small-farm agriculture in Nevada.
“Join Nevada’s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural leaders for two days of education and community building, by farmers for farmers,” the event description stated. “Discover practical methods and innovative strategies to strengthen small farm agriculture.”
A highlight of the forum was the recognition of several “founding farmers,” producers whose long-term contributions helped establish critical agricultural infrastructure in the state. Among those honored were Fallon-area farmers Bill and Korena Mewaldt, who were recognized for their early leadership in Nevada’s organic agriculture movement.
According to forum organizer Ann Louella, the recognition focused on farmers who were instrumental in advancing organic certification in Nevada, including early legislative advocacy and collaboration with state agencies at a time when organic farming had little formal recognition.
“These farmers were among the first to step forward and push for systems that didn’t yet exist,” Louella said. “They helped build the framework that today’s organic farmers rely on.”
The forum was hosted by Grow Organic Nevada and supported through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program, part of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service National Organic Program. The event was also funded in part by California Certified Organic Farmers, reflecting the regional roots of early organic certification efforts.
In addition to the Mewaldts, other farmers recognized for their contributions to organic agriculture included Gary Romano of Sierra Valley Farms, Ray Johnson of Custom Gardens, and Steve and Marcia Litsinger of Churchill Butte Organics. Collectively, the group represents some of Nevada’s earliest certified organic producers, many of whom worked directly with legislators to formalize organic standards statewide.
The forum also honored Reggie Primo, a Native American farmer from Owyhee, for his work expanding food production on tribal lands across Nevada. Primo was recognized for helping build hoop houses on reservations throughout the state, improving access to fresh food and strengthening local food systems in rural and tribal communities.
The two-day forum featured a structured schedule combining education and networking. Friday began with a welcome and opening ceremony in the early afternoon, followed by lectures and seminars focused on small-farm strategies. An evening social mixer at Liberty Food and Wine Exchange offered participants an opportunity to connect informally with fellow farmers and presenters.
Saturday’s programming included additional sessions, lunch, and a keynote address by author and farmer Ben Hartman, who shared examples of successful farms from around the world and discussed his “more with less” approach to agriculture. Sessions continued through the afternoon, rounding out two days of farmer-driven education.
Sponsoring organizations included the Nevada College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources, the Great Basin Community Food Co-op, and the Local Food Group of Reno. UNR partnered with Holley Family Farm and the Desert Farming Initiative to make the forum possible.
Organizers said recognizing founding farmers was an important reminder that today’s agricultural systems did not emerge by accident.
“These farmers don’t just grow food,” Louella said. “They built the groundwork that continues to support Nevada agriculture today.”
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