To help provide education and support for Nevada's agriculture producers, associated businesses and others, the University of Nevada, Reno Extension is partnering with other organizations to host three agriculture conferences throughout the state: the Nevada Urban Agriculture Conference in Las Vegas, Jan. 28-30; the Nevada Small Farms Conference in Sparks, Feb. 20-22; and the Bee & Garden Conference in Minden, March 20-22.
"Extension is very excited to be able to offer educational opportunities to urban and small farm producers, as well as beekeepers and others, to provide them with the latest research and information on resources to help them be successful," Staci Emm, Extension educator, said. "We realize that our local food systems are extremely important to our communities and want to facilitate long-term sustainability."
This year, Emm said that with generous support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency and other partners, Extension is able to offer registration for all three conferences for $150, and registration for the individual conferences for $75. In addition to agriculture producers, the conferences also offer learning and networking opportunities for others, such as chefs and restaurant owners, recreational gardeners, youth gardeners and others, depending on the conference.
Nevada Urban Agriculture Conference – Las Vegas
South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa; 9777 S. Las Vegas Blvd.; and places an emphasis on supporting both local producers and associated businesses. Current and new farm owners, food bank representatives, local chefs, local restaurant and grocery store owners, Extension Master Gardener volunteers, farmers market managers, FFA members, and other urban agriculture stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
On Tuesday, there are preconference workshops with choices that focus on marketing, meat and poultry production, and regenerative agriculture. On Wednesday and Thursday, there are a variety of educational and hands-on sessions, as well as networking sessions. Access a complete conference schedule online, as well as register online for $75, which includes all workshops and presentations, a networking and informational mixer on Wednesday evening, and breakfast pastries and lunches on Wednesday and Thursday.
The conference is made possible by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency and other partners, including the Southwest Regional Food Business Center – Nevada funded by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service. For more information, email Adrienne Snow at [email protected] or call her at 775-247-6458.
Source: Nevada Today