is providing a certification program Feb. 21 – April 27 geared toward new or up-and-coming ranchers and farmers that will allow them to obtain a ÁùºÏ±¦µä Beginning Farmer & Rancher Level 1 Small Acreage and Farm to Fork Certification. The classes will take place 6 – 8 p.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 21 – April 24, with additional field trips touring small-acreage farms and ranches in Washoe and Douglas counties being offered April 26-27.
The program’s courses will be conducted via Zoom and will draw upon the knowledge and experience of established ÁùºÏ±¦µä agriculture producers and University experts. Participants who complete the course, attend a tour or one of the spring ÁùºÏ±¦µä agriculture conferences, and complete a business plan review will receive their Level 1 Certification. Course topics include:
- Feb. 21: An overview of small-acreage and farm-to-fork production, including identifying resources, understanding jurisdictions, developing a business plan and setting goals.
- Feb. 28: Crops and soil, 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.
- March 6 and 13: Courses will be paused for the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Urban Agriculture Conference, March 6-8 in Las Vegas; and the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Small Agriculture Conference, March 13-15 in Fallon. Participants may choose to attend one of these conferences or one of the tours offered April 26-27 as part of the certification requirements.
- March 20: Value-added programs in ÁùºÏ±¦µä and where and how to market products, including farm stands, direct market sales, sale yards, using ÁùºÏ±¦µä Grown and social media. Participants will also learn how to develop a marketing plan.
- March 27: Livestock production, focusing on needs and requirements, basics of livestock and poultry nutrition, feed management, reproduction and the Quality Assurance Program.
- April 3: Meat quality, processing and training, including the characteristics of meat based on nutritional management and an overview of meat regulations in ÁùºÏ±¦µä and the statewide meat program.
- April 10: Understanding ÁùºÏ±¦µä water, focusing on the basics of water rights and water law in ÁùºÏ±¦µä.
- April 17: 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.
- April 24: Partners and funding, including an overview of opportunities and resources available to ÁùºÏ±¦µä producers.
- April 26-27: 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 aforementioned conferences as part of the certification requirements.
The cost for the program is $60 per person, and For more information, contact Staci Emm, Extension educator for Mineral County, at 775-475-4227; or contact Kaley Chapin, outreach specialist, at 702-467-2668.
Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, 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 ÁùºÏ±¦µä agricultural producers. This project was supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
