Certification Program

The Herds & Harvest Program hosts a Nevada Beginning Farmer & Rancher Level 1 Certification Program incorporating Small Acreage and Farm to Fork content geared toward new or up-and-coming ranchers and farmers. The classes take place on Wednesday evenings from 6 – 8 p.m. via Zoom. The course concludes with a field trip touring small-acreage farms and ranches.

The program’s courses draw upon the knowledge and experience of established Nevada agriculture producers and University experts. Participants who complete the course, attend a tour or one of the spring Nevada agriculture conferences, and complete a business plan/review will receive their Level 1 Certification. Course topics include the following:

• Business plan development
• Plants/soil
• Value-added programs
• Nevada laws/jurisdictions
• Livestock needs/production
• Meat quality and processing
• Nevada water
• Farm financial management
• Nevada funding opportunities for producers

2025 BFR Certification Schedule:

• January 22: An overview of small-acreage and farm-to-fork production, including identifying resources, understanding jurisdictions, developing a business plan and setting goals.
• February 5: Soil health and livestock grazing, 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.
• February 12: Value-added programs in Nevada and where and how to market products, including farm stands, direct market sales, sale yards, using Nevada Grown and social media. Participants will also learn how to develop a marketing plan.
• February 19: Livestock production focuses on needs and requirements, including basics of livestock and poultry nutrition, feed management, reproduction and the Quality Assurance Program.
• February 26: Meat quality, processing, and training, including meat characteristics based on nutritional management and an overview of meat regulations in Nevada and the statewide meat program.
• March 5: Understanding Nevada water, focusing on the basics of water rights and water law in Nevada.
• March 12: 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.
• March 19: Partners and funding, including an overview of opportunities and resources available to Nevada producers.