Beginning Farmer & Rancher

Staci Emm

Professor – Extension - Reno, NV

Staci Emm is a Professor with the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, and leads the Nevada Food Business Center project under the Southwest Business Center. Staci has over 20 years’ experience developing and teaching agricultural programming in Nevada: she created the Nevada Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program called "Herds & Harvest", co-created the Nevada Risk Management Education program, and expanded Nevada Extension tribal programs. She is experienced in business management and entrepreneurship, marketing, Indian land tenure, agricultural water rights, and land-use planning. Areas of expertise include business planning and feasibility, and financial management.

CONTACT STACI

Kaley Chapin

Lead Coordinator

Kaley Chapin serves as a lead Program Coordinator. She joined extension as an Outreach Specialist for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program and Risk Management Education Programs at Extension. With a strong background in agriculture and cattle production, and a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Agricultural Education, Kaley brings both expertise and passion to her work supporting agricultural communities. As the lead Program Coordinator for statewide agricultural courses and certifications, she plays a key role in developing and delivering educational opportunities for both small- and large-scale producers, with a focus on small acreage management and farm-to-fork production. In addition, she contributes to major programs such as the Cattlemen’s Update and the meat and poultry programs. Prior to joining Extension, Kaley served for five years as the Executive Director of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, where she gained extensive experience and insight into the cattle industry. Her work continues to reflect her deep commitment to the success and sustainability of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers across the state.

Contact Kaley

Lindsay M Chichester

4-H Program Leader and Associate Professor - Extension - Reno, NV

Lindsay Chichester is the State 4-H Program Leader for Nevada and an Associate Professor with the University of Nevada, Reno Extension. She earned an M.A. in speech with an emphasis in crisis communication, an M.A. in animal science, and a Ph.D. in Systems Agriculture with an emphasis in meat science. Lindsay has worked in Extension for 14 years, with expertise in animal well-being, agriculture systems, meat science and consumerism, beekeeping, and youth development.

CONTACT LINDSAY

Jamie Lee

Coordinator

Jamie is responsible for administration of the Mobile Harvest Unit which provides humane and efficient harvest operations, intern and workforce development classes and training. There is a need in the food industry for more skilled individuals in the meat plants, such as butchers and plant operators. We provide workshops throughout Nevada to increase knowledge of harvesting and processing meat and poultry products and value added products. Other topics of workshops covered include food safety protocols, equipment safety, HACCP plan development.

Contact Jamie

Cally Wade

Coordinator

Cally Wade supports agricultural education and outreach in Logandale, NV, through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher – Herds & Harvest Program, helping new and diversifying producers succeed with workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring.

Contact Cally

Gary McCuin

Eureka County Agricultural & Natural Resource Educator, UNR

Gary McCuin is an Extension Educator with the University of Nevada, Reno Extension and specializes in rangeland management, livestock production, and natural resource conservation. Based in Eureka County, Gary works with ranchers, agency personnel, and land managers to improve the sustainability and productivity of Nevada’s rangeland systems.He has extensive experience in livestock grazing management, federal land policy, vegetation monitoring, and wild horse and burro management. His programming supports the application of science-based practices to optimize livestock production while protecting ecological health across Nevada’s vast public and private rangelands. Gary’s work also includes advancing collaborative solutions to land-use challenges and providing education on rangeland ecology and grazing systems to both producers and public stakeholders.

CONTACT Gary

Austin Yohey

Butcher/Trainer - Extension

Austin Yohey is a Butcher and Trainer with the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, currently supporting operations for the Mobile Harvest Unit (MHU) under the Nevada Food Business Center. Austin began his career with the university in 2014 at Wolf Pack Meats, where he spent eight years contributing to daily operations and livestock processing. Following his tenure at Wolf Pack Meats, he transitioned to working with Extension on the launch and development of Nevada’s first USDA-inspected mobile processing trailer. Over the past two and a half years, he has played a key role in troubleshooting operations, supporting regulatory compliance, and advancing mobile meat processing infrastructure in the state. Areas of expertise include meat processing operations, USDA regulatory procedures, mobile unit logistics, and facility management.

CONTACT Austin

Lindsay Chichester

4-H Program Leader - Extension

CONTACT Lindsay

Carol Bishop

Extension Professor

Carol Bishop is an Extension Professor specializing in business management, entrepreneurship, and agricultural economic development. She is experienced in business planning, feasibility analysis, and financial management, helping Nevada producers and small businesses navigate the complexities of the agricultural industry. She has worked extensively on programs designed to expand local food systems, strengthen small farm viability, and improve access to USDA resources. Through her leadership, she continues to support Nevada’s agricultural and food business communities, ensuring long-term sustainability and economic growth.

Contact Carol

Cody Hussla

Crop Production Coordinator

Cody Hussla is a Crop Production Coordinator with the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, and is a crop and pest control advisor to support and assist with agriculture planning and implementation for the Nevada Beginning Farmer Rancher Program. Cody is from Sparks NV and studied entomology and wildlife, fish, and conservation biology at UC Davis, and worked with UC Agricultural and Natural Resources, John Muir Institute, UC Natural Reserve Systems, and the Desert Research Institute. Cody specializes in regenerative agriculture/ecosystems and sustainable production and has experience and practice with conventional agricultural production.

CONTACT Cody

Luis Fernando Schütz

Assistant Professor - Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences

Luis Fernando Schütz, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences Department at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). He is a reproductive biologist with years of experience as a practicing veterinarian in Brazil and as a researcher. He joined UNR in 2018 and currently teaches two courses: Cattle Production and Management and Physiology of Reproduction. His area of research is reproductive physiology and epigenetics with an emphasis on ovarian physiology. His current research projects involve understanding how lifestyle, diet, and environmental factors affect biology of gonads and gametes with impacts on fertility and on the health and fertility of the next generation; molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of ovarian function; and the impact of environmental toxicants on fertility. The aims of his research include improving reproductive performance of cattle and supporting fertility research related to women's health. Areas of expertise include reproductive biology, veterinary science, epigenetics, and fertility science.

CONTACT Luis

Daunelle Wulstein

Coordinator - Extension Education Projects – Agriculture

Daunelle Wulstein has always created bridges between learning and doing. After leaving her position of almost twenty years as a French instructor at Lake Tahoe Community College, Daunelle started recreating her vision of France at her new home in the Carson Valley when she began growing lavender for the bees her husband was keeping. She always dreamed of leaving everything and moving to Provence, France one day. She soon realized the importance of planting for pollinators and began hosting workshops and tours of her growing lavender farm. She joined Extension in 2024 as an assistant in apiculture outreach in Douglas County while also working on her Beginning Farmer and Rancher certification. She helped organize and execute the first Bee & Garden Conference with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency. At the end of 2024, Daunelle became an Extension Education Project Coordinator and helped organize several large agricultural conferences throughout the state, again with grant funding. These conferences aimed at bringing hands-on opportunities for learning and networking to local farmers, ranchers, smaller producers, and the public, at large. During this same time, Daunelle was accepted into the National Associations of Departments of Agriculture’s (NASDA) Farm2Food Women’s Accelerator Program, an intense program for women entrepreneurs interested in taking a food made with their specialty crops to market. Unfortunately, that program was defunded a few weeks before its termination, but Daunelle continues to explore ways of learning while doing. Now, she has been tasked to help with the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Certification Program as well as continuing programs like the monthly Western Agricultural Outlook webinar series. When Daunelle is not with a scythe in her hand in the lavender, you can find her helping bring more people together to grow opportunities. Her work continues to reflect a deep commitment to hands-on agricultural education, sustainable practices, and empowering local producers through knowledge-sharing and connection.

CONTACT Daunelle

Dr. Amilton de Mello

Associate Professor – CABNR

Dr. de Mello is an associate professor at UNR's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources. His extensive industry background, allied with his academic experience, allows him to understand the needs of small and large producers and carefully guide them through technical and regulatory challenges. While working in the industry, he held quality assurance and food safety managerial positions where he liaised with customers and regulatory agencies. His academic research focuses on improving animal protein using a farm-to-fork approach. Domestic and international companies have used meat processing methodologies developed in his laboratory to improve robust food safety systems. He provided guidance for numerous establishments and also served as a member of USDA National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection. Dr. de Mello is the official USDA HACCP coordinator for Nevada. His work is widely recognized for bridging scientific innovation with practical application, making him a trusted expert in meat science, food safety, and regulatory compliance.

CONTACT Dr. de Mello

Meet the Beginning Farmer & Rancher Team