Lander County Programs
Risk Management
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) develops and delivers a comprehensive risk management education program to livestock and forage producers in Nevada.
Issue:
This program helps producers understand the risks they face in agricultural production and teaches strategies to mitigate those risks in order to increase the probability of economic survival for the farm and the personal security of the farm family.
What Has Been Done:
During 2006 and 2007, the educational programming consisted of five one- or two-day programs in financial production, price and market risk.
The program topics were based upon needs as indicated in producer program evaluations and surveys conducted in the previous academic year. Participating producers were able to more effectively manage their enterprise and have an understanding of various risk management options. Informed decisions regarding markets, pricing and production based on strong financial analysis led to sustainable agricultural practices and enhanced quality of life for farmers and their surrounding communities.
Impact:
Program impacts measured in 2006 concluded the following: Producer knowledge gain from attending the seminars ranged from 188 to 455 percent; the majority (46 to 98 percent) of program participants considered the seminar valuable to them and worth their time; between 86 and 97 percent of participants felt they could apply their new knowledge and information in their job/operation; and between 92 and 100 percent of participants would attend future risk management programming.
Program impacts measured through pre- and post-seminar testing, post-seminar evaluations and six-month seminar evaluations concluded the following in 2007: Six months after the participants attended seminars, 17 to 68 percent (depending on the program) had incorporated ideas, knowledge and information from the seminar into their job/operation; 44 to 80 percent (depending on the program) were directly applying production, legal, marketing and range management techniques learned at the seminars.
Western Alfalfa and Forage Symposium-Farm Financial Decision Making: Attendees rated the seminar as very helpful (6 out of a possible 7), and the majority said they would use the information and knowledge gained in their job/operation (5.6 out of a possible 7). All UNCE instructors and material were rated 4.5 out of a possible 5.
Cattlemen’s College at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting: Participants said they would incorporate a large portion of the material and knowledge gained (7.1 out of a possible 10) into their job/operation. All six presentations were rated 4 or higher (out of a possible 5).
Partners:
Estate and Farm Transition Planning, Managing Human Resources, Nevada Cattlemen’s Update, Nevada Range Management School, Nevada Grown Connections Conference, Cattlemen’s College at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting, and Western Alfalfa and Forage Symposium-Farm Financial Decision Making, Livestock Handling, Estate and Farm Transition Planning, Local Meat Processing Prospects, Agritourism Symposium and Nevada Range Management School.
Contacts: Kynda Curtis, Agriculture Marketing Specialist, Reno, 775-784-6701
Thomas Harris, Community Development Specialist, Reno, 775-784-6499
| Programs | Program Information |
|---|---|
Bootstraps University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) developed Bootstraps, a high-risk youth program that helps teens return to school and/or gain meaningful work. | |
FIND Project Lander County’s Future Industrial Needs Discovery (FIND) Project is a comprehensive business matching and sustainable development tool. It is a unique combination of processes that has brought together major stakeholders with community input to visualize and plan northern Lander County’s economic future. | |
Integrated Pest Management Nevada Department of Agriculture’s records show the use of traditional pesticides continues to increase in the state. Nevada’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program helps agricultural producers, land managers; pest control operators, homeowners and other pest managers learn about and use alternative pest management strategies in a variety of environments and settings. | |
Noxious Weed Control and Awareness Education Noxious and invasive weeds are widespread throughout Nevada. They threaten agricultural and rangeland productivity. Rural counties are susceptible to significant adverse economic damage. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension education programs help individuals and weed control organization reduce the abundance of noxious weeds. | |
Project MAGIC Project MAGIC is an innovative, collaborative program designed to help juvenile offenders leave the criminal justice system and become productive members of society. While participating in the program, young people ages 12 to 18 learn: positive communication skills, team building, problem solving and decision making, self-responsibility, conflict resolution, aspiration building and goal setting. Youth also select and conduct a service project designed to benefit their community. Parent sessions include the same life skills. | |
Risk Management University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) develops and delivers a comprehensive risk management education program to livestock and forage producers in Nevada. | |
Small business development in rural Nevada While small business development courses have been offered in Nevada’s urban and metropolitan areas (Washoe and Clark counties) for some time, the need for economic development in rural counties is even more critical. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension offered business planning classes to existing and potential small-scale entrepreneurs through a series of interactive video and face-to-face classes. | |
Sustainable Agricultural Practices University of Nevada Cooperative Extension conducts several sustainable agriculture programs including researching alternative crops, introducing sustainable biodiversity/multiple use of rangelands, and increasing the number of pest control materials labeled in and increasing the knowledge and implementation rate of IPM practices in Nevada. |
Statewide Programs *Statewide programs may not be available in all counties
| Programs | Program Information |
|---|---|
| 4-H Youth Development | |
| Cattlemen’s Update | |
| Food Safety Project | |
| Grow Your Own, Nevada | |
| Herds and Harvest | |
| Invasive Species (Weeds) | |
| Nevada Radon Education Program | |
| Nevada State GEAR UP | |
| Nevada Youth Range Camp | |
| People of the Land | |
| Pesticide Safety Education Program | |
| Riparian and Watershed Assessment and Management | |
| Stronger Economies Together | |
| Weed Prevention and Management |
