Kelli Kelly has been named the statewide recipient of the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award of the Year, recognizing her work supporting Nevada’s agricultural and food‑based businesses through the Nevada Small Business Development Center.
Kelly, an agriculture and food systems business advisor with the Nevada SBDC, received the honor during the Small Business Administration’s annual awards ceremony held as part of National Small Business Week. The award highlights her efforts to identify gaps in Nevada’s food systems, reduce barriers for small producers, and strengthen connections between farmers, consumers, and policymakers.
“I knew it was a competitive category,” Kelly said. “So, I felt really grateful to be nominated and excited to be selected.”
Kelly is well known in Fallon for her support of local farmers and food‑based entrepreneurs, as well as her weekly “What’s Cooking in Kelli’s Kitchen” column. She began working with the Nevada SBDC in 2021 in a part-time role, assisting agricultural clients, and transitioned to a full-time position in 2024. She now works with about 170 clients statewide.
Her work includes helping modernize Nevada’s cottage food, cottage cosmetics, craft food, and farm‑to‑fork programs. She has collaborated with state leaders to identify regulatory barriers and contributed to legislation aimed at expanding opportunities for small producers. Kelly said passing a bill is only the beginning, and that implementation and continued support are just as important.
Her efforts also extend into agritourism development and statewide planning to reduce challenges for agricultural producers. Through these initiatives, she works to connect farmers, business owners, and policymakers to create an environment where small businesses can succeed.
Kelly’s passion for food systems is rooted in her culinary background. She began her career in restaurants before moving to Fallon, where she gained a deeper appreciation for local agriculture.
“It wasn’t until I moved to Nevada that I really started to hone in on the importance of supporting local agricultural producers,” she said.
Working in kitchens that relied on ingredients grown on‑site or delivered directly by farmers shaped her understanding of the connection between producers and consumers. That experience continues to guide her work today.
“It’s all about shrinking the distance from farm to table and increasing the amount of the food dollar that goes to the person who actually grows the food,” she said.
Kelly emphasizes collaboration as a key part of her approach.
“I don’t do anything by myself,” she said. “It’s hugely important to find your people and bring them to the table to create positive change.”
She credits Nevada’s collaborative spirit for much of the progress she has seen, describing the state as a place where strong connections and shared problem‑solving drive results.
Kelly recently completed her master’s degree and will begin a doctoral program in public policy this fall. She hopes the recognition brings greater awareness to the importance of local and regional food systems.
“I hope a wider audience becomes aware of the very important work happening in local and regional food systems in this state,” she said.
As Nevada continues to explore opportunities in agriculture, small business, and rural development, Kelly’s work is helping build a more resilient and connected future grounded in creativity and community.
“Here in Nevada, there is very much this ‘Battle Born spirit’, which is all about understanding that though our resources may be limited, we are going to figure out a solution with what we have available for us,” she said.
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