Carson City & Storey County

Nevada 4-H offering late summer and fall activities

Extension aims to keep youth engaged and learning despite COVID-19 restrictions

Claudene Wharton

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nevada 4-H Youth Development Program has developed a variety of activities to continue to engage 4-H youth throughout the state as the school year begins and fall draws near.

“People are accustomed to us kicking off various 4-H programs around the beginning of the traditional school year, and despite COVID-19, we are still getting a lot of inquiries about afterschool programs, as well as clubs and other 4-H activities,” explained Carrie Stark, Nevada 4-H Program director with Extension. “Our staff and volunteers are working incredibly hard to constantly build and adapt programs to serve our youth, as COVID-related restrictions are a bouncing ball, changing regularly.”

Extension creating beekeeping educational program for southern Nevada

Hives installed at demonstration orchard now producing honey

Hannah Alfaro

The beehives hosted at the Center for Urban Water Conservation are producing fresh honey and educational opportunities. Photo by M.L. Robinson, Extension.

The Center for Urban Water Conservation, a collaborative demonstration orchard between Extension and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is creating a beekeeping program for the local community.

M.L. Robinson, an assistant professor and horticulture specialist with Extension, is overseeing the program and developing educational materials and resources.

The ultimate goal is to have training classes for anyone in the community interested in beekeeping. The program will teach participants the entire process of beekeeping, including setting up the hives, upkeep of the hives and bees, and harvesting. The Center has already used these hives to train veterinarians and assistants on working with bees, and volunteers are excited to extend that knowledge to the local community.

Extension educator brings health and nutrition to Laughlin programs

Hayley Maio joins Extension to develop programs for youth and seniors

Hannah Alfaro

Extension Educator Hayley Maio plans to introduce health programs to Laughlin. Photo by Hayley Maio, Extension.

Extension is excited to welcome Hayley Maio to the office in southern Clark County - Laughlin as an Extension educator.

As an educator, Maio will be focusing on program development in Laughlin, including the development of health and nutrition programs for both Extension’s Nevada 4-H Youth Development Program and seniors in the community. Although COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily halted most of the in-person activities for these groups, Maio hopes to set up new programs that will be offered in the near future. Her goal, since accessibility to affordable and fresh food is limited for some in Laughlin, is to bring affordable and easily accessible healthy living, nutrition and exercise programs to the community’s youth and elderly.

“I love working with Extension because I want to make a positive impact with everyone I come in contact with, and I believe this is the best place to make that happen,” Maio said. “I want to make sure that, through the programs we’re offering, we can help individuals become the best versions of themselves.”