Carson City & Storey County Office

Contact Information

727 Fairview Drive, Suite F, Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: 775-887-2252
Fax: 775-887-2065

County Personnel Directory

Featured Programs

photo of lungs with red and blue ventricles

The Nevada Radon Education Program is funded through a grant from the EPA to educate Nevadans about the health risk posed by elevated levels of radon in the home. The Extension program offers literature, educational presentations and low-cost radon test kits in many county Extension and partner offices.

Carson City Community Garden

The Community Garden began in 2001 and allows community members who don’t have room for a vegetable garden to rent a 4-by-16-foot garden bed for $40 a season at a 25-bed garden complex located at 1044 Beverly Drive, Carson City, NV. Applications open in 2024!

Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

To see a complete list of programs being conducted by Carson City & Storey County

Looking for a quality and fun youth development experience? Join Nevada 4-H!

Our 4-H Program, for youth ages 5 to 19, is community-centered, research-based and designed to promote life-skills development. It offers youth opportunities in communications, leadership, career development, citizenship, healthy living, science, technology, engineering, math and more. Our office can help you to find or start a local 4-H club or program that's right for you. We look forward to working with and serving you!

Learn more about Carson/Storey County 4-H

Carson & Storey County Related News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports


Are You Sure You Have a Pest Problem? Not all plant problems are caused by pests! Sometimes our gardening practices are harmful to plants. For example, placing too thick a layer of mulch, accidently applying pesticides where we didn’t want them or forgetting to give our plants water in the winter when the weather is too dry can all lead to plant damage that is not caused by pests or diseases. Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Donaldson S., and Skelly, J. 2012, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-12-23
Assessing Soil Quality The quality of your soil affects every facet of your landscape, from the plants that will grow to the features that can be constructed. A visual assessment of your soil quality is a good first step in designing or remodeling your landscape. Learn more about assessing soil quality in this factsheet. Hefner, M., Donaldson, S., and Skelly, J. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-17
Choosing the Right Plants for Northern Nevada's High Fire Hazard Areas The most important person in preventing a house from being destroyed by wildfire is the homeowner. And, it is the actions that a homeowner takes before a fire occurs that are critical. One of the most important “pre-fire” activities that a homeowner can do is the creation of a defensible space. Smith, E., Skelly, J. 2007, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, EB-07-01
Choosing Turf and Erosion Control Grasses for the Lake Tahoe Basin Planting grass near homes can control soil erosion and help create fire defensible space. Since the tragic Angora Fire in 2007, many Tahoe residents are re-evaluating their landscaping options for areas close to residences. Cobourn, J., Skelly, J. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-09-07
Clover Clips Newsletter, Volume 28, Issue 7, July 2020 Monthly 4-H Newsletter for 4-H members, family and Leaders. Content includes coming events, news from 4-H National and information about leadership. Mitchell, S., Barcellos, J. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, 4-H Newsletter
Clover Clips Newsletter, Volume 28, Issue 8, August 2020 Monthly 4-H Newsletter for 4-H members, family and Leaders. Content includes coming events, news from 4-H National and peer-reviewed information about leadership. Mitchell, S., Barcellos, J., Chvilicek, S. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, 4-H Newsletter
Clover Clips Newsletter, Volume 28, Issue 9, September 2020 Monthly 4-H Newsletter for 4-H members, family and Leaders. Content includes coming events, news from 4-H National and peer-reviewed information about leadership Mitchell, S., Barcellos, J., Chvilicek, S. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, 4-H Newsletter
Designing Landscapes for Northern Nevada's Arid Climate This fact sheet contains information on designing landscapes for an arid climate in northern Nevada. Learn more about factors that influence a landscape design, potential goals for the landscape, water-efficient landscaping, and many more. Kratsch, H. and Skelly, J. 2015, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-11-15
Earwigs You can expect to find the earwig, a common insect in most Nevada gardens. This fact sheet looks at truth and fiction about this little garden insect. Although they look fearsome, they can be beneficial in the garden as a predator of other insects and as a consumer of decomposing plant material. McKie, P. and Skelly, J. 2001, Extension, University of Nevada Reno, FS-01-41
Exotic Insects Invading Nevada’s Trees! Be a Citizen Monitor for Urban and Native Forests Trees in cities create an “urban forest”. Protecting these trees maintains cooler temperatures, creates an aesthetically pleasing setting, and provides a home for birds. Boring insects can destroy trees, and this publication describes the damage and how to preserve trees for generations to come. Skelly, J., and O'Callaghan, A. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada Reno, SP-12-06
Firescaping: Landscape design for defensible space Firescaping is landscape design that reduces house and property vulnerability to wildfire. The goal is to develop a landscape with a design and choice of plants that offer the best defensible space and enhance the property. Skelly, JoAnne 2001, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-01-33
Horticultural Oils – What a Gardener Needs to Know Horticultural oils are pesticides that control insects, mites and some plant diseases. They are specifically designed to control plant pests. Commercially available horticultural oils are highly refined petroleum products that are filtered and distilled to remove compounds that can harm plants. Skelly, J. 2013, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-20
How to Take a Soil Sample Soil tests can help identify a number of key characteristics of a soil. Knowing these characteristics will help you determine suitable plant materials for your landscape, the right nutrients to add to your soil and the cultural practices you need to change to improve the productivity of your landscape and garden. Hefner, M., Donaldson, S., and Skelly, J. 2009, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-13
Hydrangeas in Northern Nevada Are there varieties of hydrangeas that will grow here? Yes. Will they thrive? Rarely, under average garden conditions. JoAnne Skelly 2016, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno
Nevada Soil Amendment Myths While many common soil amendments are beneficial when added to soil in the southeastern or northeastern United States or the Pacific Northwest, they are not appropriate for soils in the arid West. They can be detrimental to our soils and water bodies and are, at the very least, a waste of time, effort and money. Hefner, M. and Skelly, J. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-15
Nevada’s Soils – Worth the Toil Often, gardeners focus on the plants in their landscape. However, successful plants rely on healthy soils to support them. This factsheet is about learning more about soil to help you develop a beautiful and productive garden or landscape. Hefner, M., Skelly, J., and Donaldson, S. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-14
Squash Bug Control in Home Gardens Squash bugs are a nightmare for anyone growing cucumbers, melons or squash. These insects are highly prolific and can destroy plants in that family. This publication tells home gardeners how to recognize these bugs and control them. Skelly, J. 2008, Extension, University of Nevada Reno, FS-08-22
Taking Care of Residential Trees After Wildfire Many trees can recover after fire, depending on the intensity and duration of the burn and extent of dehydration. After a fire it is important to determine which trees might recuperate and which will need to be removed. Skelly, J. 2004, Extension \| University of Nevada, Carson City/Storey County, FS-04-57
The Carson River’s New Regional Floodplain Management Plan This fact sheet contains information on ways to create a good floodplain management plant. Learn more about the benefits of good floodplain management, how one can do it, limiting river flood damage, and how floodplain management works. Cobourn, J., Lewis, S., and Skelly, J. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-20
Using Audience Response Systems to Assess Program Audiences, Needs and Impacts Audience response systems (ARS) are wireless personal response systems that allow participants at meetings and trainings to instantly and anonymously provide feedback, answer questions and vote in response to questions posed. The data is immediately available to both teacher and participants. Donaldson, S., Kratsch, H., and Skelly, J. 2012, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-12-21
Using Chicken Manure Safely in Home Gardens and Landscapes When a family raises chickens, they have a ready supply of brown gold from composted or aged manure to benefit their garden and landscape plants. Learn more about using chicken manure safely in home gardens and landscapes in this factsheet. Saliga III, R. and Skelly, J. 2013, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-23
Using Pre-emergence Herbicides for Weed Control in the Home Landscape Practical tips for using preemergence herbicides correctly in the home landscape, including how preemergence herbicides work and risks to consider when making a preemergence herbicide application. A list of common preemergence products is included. Donaldson, S. and Skelly, J. 2011, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Fact Sheet 11-67
What to Consider Before Using Soil Sterilant or “Bare-ground” Herbicides This fact sheet contains information on things to consider before using soil sterilant or “Bare-ground” herbicides so that gardeners, landowners or property managers are awake of the effects before using the herbicides. Learn about the properties of soil sterilants, sample label language, and many more. Skelly, J. and Donaldson, S. 2011, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-69

County Reports


Carson City Extension Annual Report \| July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Carson City Extension Annual Report \| July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Taylor, L.K. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, County Reports
Carson City Extension Annual Report \| July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 Carson City Annual Report Taylor, L.K. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, County Reports
Carson City and Storey County Needs Assessment and Environmental Scan 2019 The purpose of this study was to determine what needs are important to Carson City and Storey County citizens, which serves as guiding principles for educationall and programmatic activities for the next five years. Taylor, L. K., Chichester, L. M., Evans, W. P., & Russell, K. N. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Special Publication
Carson City Extension Annual Report \| July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 This report provides selected achievements representative of Extension programming and activities conducted by Carson City Extension staff members during 2019-2020. Taylor, L. K. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, County Reports FYI 2020
Carson City Extension Annual Report \| July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 Carson City Extension Annual Report \| July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 Taylor, L. 2019, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, County Report FYI 2019
Carson City / Storey County County Annual Report \| Fiscal Year 2017 - 2018 Carson City / Storey County County Annual Report \| July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018 Chichester, L. 2017, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno

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Looking for a quality and fun youth development experience? Join Nevada 4-H!

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