Staci Emm

Professor

Office: (775) 784-4848
Email: emms@unr.edu
Address: 4955 Energy Way, Reno, Nevada 89557
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Summary

Staci Emm is an Extension Professor that directs and coordinates large grant programs across the State of Nevada. She began employment with the University of Nevada, Reno Extension in July 2000 under the Federally Recongized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP). In 2004, Emm moved home to Mineral County to open the Mineral County Extension office and provided adminstration and oversight over the county office until September of 2024 as the Extension Educator. As a full-professor, Emm refocused her efforts in October of 2025 to direct, sustain and expand Extension programs in agriculture and with tribal populations throughout the state. She directs a team of about 20 individuals that work with all of Nevada's farmers and ranchers. These educational programs focus on food business, agricultural risk management, beginning farmers and ranchers, tribal programs, and youth ag education.

Education

Mineral County High School, Hawthorne, Nevada, 1991
BA in Journalism (Public Relations & Business Administration), University of Nevada, Reno, 1996
Masters of Agriculture (Extension Education Specialization), Colorado State University, 2003

Programs
Teaching
Publications

Programs

Advanced Business Training - The Native American Agriculture Fund

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) is a private, charitable trust serving Native farmers and ranchers through strategic grantmaking in the areas of business assistance, agricultural education, technical support and advocacy series.

cattle feeding at UNR's Main Station Ranch

Agricultural Outlook (Nevada)

Provide agricultural stakeholders with a concise evaluation of current market conditions, expected trends in crop and livestock income potential and management implications.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher - Herds & Harvest Program

Developing educational courses, workshops, technical assistance, business advice and mentoring support network for Nevada agricultural producers who are beginning or diversify a farm or ranch operation.

Cattlemen's Update

Cattlemen’s Update is Extension’s annual educational program offered for beef cattle producers to learn about issues affecting profitability and product quality in the Great Basin region.

Food Business Center

Providing training and technical assistance to help Nevada producers diversify and expand their product portfolio, optimize operational processes and ensure that those entering food processing are compliant with US requirements.

Meat Workforce Development Program

The Workforce Development Meat Program trains and provides certifications in meat harvest and processing for beef, lamb, pork and poultry. Training is a combination on in-class room lecture, hands-on experience and tours.

Mineral County 4-H Youth Development

4-H programming in Mineral County, Nevada.

Mobile Harvest Unit

University of Nevada, Reno, offers a USDA-compliant Mobile Harvest Unit that serves as self-contained slaughter floors on wheels.

Enhancing climate resilience on tribal lands

Native Waters on Arid Lands

Native Waters on Arid Lands is a five-year (2015-2020) project that partners researchers and extension experts with tribal communities in the Great Basin and American Southwest to collaboratively understand the impacts of climate change, and to evaluate adaptation options for sustaining water resources and agriculture.

Nevada Tribal Programs

The Nevada Tribal Programs works within Extension to provide need-based educational programs to Nevada tribal members.

Risk Management Education

Extension develops and delivers a comprehensive risk management education program to livestock, forage, and food producers in Nevada.

Veggies for Kids

Veggies for Kids teaches children about healthy eating habits and improves accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Water for the Seasons

Water for the Seasons (WftS) is a program that partners scientists with community water managers and water right holders in the Truckee-Carson River System (TCRS), to explore new strategies and solutions for dealing with extreme climate events such as droughts and floods.

Courses

As an Extension Professor, Emm secures and sustains extramural funding to support agriculture and tribal Extension programs for Nevada residents. She incorporates teaching, research and service into all program areas. She facilitates and directs educational programs to sustain and support agricultural operations in Nevada. Emm’s leadership includes staff infrastructure, funding mechanisms, need-based applied research, and service activities at a university and community level.

Emm’s Extension programs include the following:

Southwest Regional Food Business Center – Nevada
Herds & Harvest: Nevada Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
Nevada Risk Management Education Program
Nevada Meat Workforce Development Program
Nevada Tribal Programs
Nevada Industrial Hemp Project
Nevada Regenerative Agricultural Program

Honors and Awards

Emm, S., & Singletary, L. (2011). People of the Land: Sustaining American Indian agriculture in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Community of Scholars Honoring Excellence: NIFA National Diversity Award. Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU).
Emm, S. (2011). People of Land: Sustaining American Indian agriculture in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Congressional Recognition, APLU Diversity Award.
Emm, S. (2011). People of Land: Sustaining American Indian agriculture in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Senatorial Recognition, APLU Diversity Award.

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Bulletins
Upcoming agricultural events for 2024/2025 An up to date list of upcoming agriculture events. Chapin, K., Emm, S. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Bulletin
2023 Nevada Small Agriculture Conference Tentative Agenda The Nevada Small Agriculture Conference is being coordinated by Nevada Farm Bureau members with the assistance of the University of Nevada, Reno Extension and Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE). It will be held on August 25-26, 2023 at the Santa Fe Station in Las Vegas, NV. Chapin, K. 2023, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
Fact Sheets
Community Assets for Mineral County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. M. Rebori, J. Lednicky, B. Borden, S. Emm 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-22-08
Demographic Characteristics for Mineral County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, S. Emm 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Economic Characteristics for Mineral County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, S. Emm 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Land Use and Fiscal Characteristics for Mineral County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, S. Emm 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Social Characteristics for Mineral County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, S. Emm 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Top Industry Performers for Mineral County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, S. Emm 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Best Management Practices for Livestock and Equine during Wildfire Smoke Events The intent of this article is to provide recommendations for best management practices for livestock and equine owners during wildfire smoke events. Some of these recommendations may not be applicable to owners of large quantities of livestock and/or equine. Chichester, L, Kay, M., Roice-Gomes, J., Allen, M., Taylor, L. Emm, S. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-10
Best management practices for livestock and equine during wildfire smoke events Wildfire can be an important tool in maintaining diverse and healthy ecosystems. However, wildfires can also increase greenhouse gas emissions, devastate ecosystems, and decimate animal populations and their habitats, along with homes and other structures, creating hazardous health impacts on humans and animals. L. Chichester, M. Kay, J. Roice-Gomes, M. Allen, L. Taylor, S. Emm 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-10
Navigating Online Program Delivery With Zoom Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic This publication will explore how four faculty moved their programming online to meet both programmatic and clientele needs. L. Chichester, S. Emm, H. Kratsch, C. Restaino 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-29
Mineral County Youth Issues Mineral County communities are geographically isolated from large population centers and are economically depressed. The countywide population has decreased over the past several years. The economic base for employment has historically been mining and the Hawthorne Army Depot. Emm, S., and Hagen, S., Berginnis, C. 2017, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Fact Sheet 17-18
Mineral County Assets and Development Needs - 2017 Mineral County communities are geographically isolated from large population centers, and are economically depressed. The countywide population has decreased over the past several years. The economic base for employment has historically been mining and the Hawthorne Army Depot. Emm, S., and Hagen, S., Berginnis, C., 2017, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Fact Sheet 17-17
Determining Profitability of Alternative Crops There are many alternative crops to consider. Evaluating which alternative crop or crops will be the best fit for a producer can be a daunting task. This fact sheet breaks down the process to a step-by-step review of individual crops to gauge which crops may be the most successful for a given producer. Bishop, C., and Emm, S. 2013, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Soil and Climate Considerations of Alternative Crops To determine which alternative crop or crops are best suited to a particular producer, it is necessary to determine the soil and climatic conditions under which the crop will be grown. This will influence the amount of probable yield, which impacts the possible economic returns. Bishop, C., and Emm, S. 2013, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-27
Working Effectively with American Indian Populations: A Brief Overview of Federal Indian Policy An understanding of current American Indian issues requires a basic familiarity with federal Indian policy. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of these policies spanning two centuries. The policies are presented as policy “eras” in chronological order. Singletary, L. and Emm, S. 2011, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Working Effectively with American Indian Populations: Great Basin and Columbia Plateau Indian Culture American Indians of the western range refers to American Indians who reside in a region of the western U.S. bordered on the west by the Sierra and Cascade mountains and on the east by the Rocky Mountains (Woodhead, 1995). The western range includes the Columbia Plateau and Great Basin cultural and physiographic areas. Singletary, L. and Emm, S. 2011, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Economic and Environmental Priorities of Walker River Basin Landowners In west-central Nevada lies the Walker River Basin. Fed mainly by the snow melt of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains, the basin provides the vital water that sustains both human and natural livelihoods. Curtis, K., Emm, S., and Entsminger, J. 2008, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-08-20
Landowner Willingness to Adopt Alternative Cropping and Irrigation Strategies in the Walker River Basin Water. In the arid climate of the Great Basin it is the most vital resource available. Both humans and natural ecosystems rely on this scarce resource for their livelihood and well being. Nowhere is this more apparent than the Walker River Basin in westcentral Nevada. Curtis, K., Emm, S., and Entsminger, J. 2008, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-08-19
Landowner Willingness to Sell or Lease Water Rights in the Walker River Basin This fact sheet will provide a background on water rights in Nevada, followed by a comparison of the survey findings between 2003 and 2007. This comparison seeks to examine the changes in water rights owners’ willingness to sell or lease their holdings. Curtis, K., Emm, S., and Entsminger, J. 2008, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Walker Lake: A Snapshot of Water Flow and Water Quality This factsheet contains everything you need to know about Walker River Basin river flow, water quality, water monitoring, and water rights. Use this factsheet as a tool to find additional information about Walker Lake and understand how water flows in the Walker River Basin. Emm, S. and Zuniga, K. 2008, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-08-08
Walker River Basin Research Study: Environmental Priorities This fact sheet contains several environmental priorities of Walker River Basin to show the important and nonimportant groups of each. Learn through detailed tables and graphs that display each importance. Emm, S., Breazeale, D., and Smith, M. 2007, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-07-02
Walker River Indian Reservation: Community Needs and Issues This fact sheet contains information on the needs and issues of the Walker River Paiute Indian Reservation. Learn about the survey conducted to find the community risk factors and law and order code. Emm, S. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-62
Walker River Indian Reservation: Youth Development This fact sheet contains information on the Walker River Paiute Indian Reservation and the possible youth risk factors. Learn about major problems that affect the youth in the reservation and the protective factors in place. Emm, S. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-63
Mineral County Needs Assessment: Community Development This fact sheet reports the results of a need assessment to determine Cooperative Extension programs and priorities in Mineral County. Learn about the age distribution and community involvement and hobbies of Mineral County through detailed tables with percentages. Emm, S. 2004, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-04-61
Mineral County Needs Assessment: Community Needs and Issues This fact sheet reports on community needs and issues through detailed tables of the top five community needs and issues with percentages of 207 households. Learn about the quality of life in Mineral County and both most and least important needs and issues. Emm, S. 2004, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-04-50
Mineral County Needs Assessment: Youth Development This fact sheet reports on Mineral County's needs assessment for youth development by exploring youth issues, existing programs, and assessments. Learn about the percentages of households responding to serval youth issues and the average for each. Emm, S. 2004, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-04-62
Walker River Basin Research Study: Perceptions and Attitudes of Water Right Owners This fact sheet contains information on the perceptions and attitudes of water right owners by describing the overall study, instrument development, data collection procedure and analysis as well as some of the general findings. Emm, S., Breazeale, D., and Smith, M., 2004, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-19
Duckwater Shoshone Indian Reservation Agriculture and Natural Resource Focus Group Session Results This fact sheet contains detailed information on duckwateer shoshone indian reservation agriculture and the results from a natural resource focus group. Learn more about the Duckwater Indian Reservation, Natural Resources Overview, the history and strengths, and many more. Emm, S., Lewis, S., Breazeale, D. 2002, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-02-44
Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation Agriculture And Natural Resources Focus Group Session Results This fact sheet contains extensive information on agriculture and natural resources of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation. Learn more about the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, vision of agriculture and natural resources, history and strengths and many more. Lewis, S., Breazeale, D., and Emm, S. 2002, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-02-45
Journals
Nevada's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program: 13 Years of Evolution Nevada has a dynamic and evolving group of beginning farmers and ranchers that have been assisted by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension service with support from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. This article Emm, S., Bishop, C. & Chichester, L. 2024, Journal of NACAA, VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2, ISSN 2158-9429
Does Cooperative Extension Have a Role to Play in County Emergency Management and/or Disaster Preparedness? While Extension may have the knowledge and skills to be an asset to the county or local emergency management and/or disaster preparedness teams, they may not be collaborating with the local authorities prior to a major crisis event. Chichester, L. & Emm, S. 2019, Journal of the National Association of County Agriculture Agents, Vol12, Iss2, Dec. 2019
Online Courses
Food Business Center - 10 Week Course Outline Learn what sessions are being offered over the 10 weeks by the Food Business Center. Emm, S. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Special Publications
Nevada Economic Assessment Project Socioeconomic Baseline Report for Mineral County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, M. Rebori, S. Emm 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno