About our College

A founding college of the University, we have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, research and engagement programs that benefit the health and economic vitality of Nevada. We offer programs in:

  • agriculture, horticulture, rangeland and veterinary sciences
  • biochemistry and molecular biology
  • children, youth and families
  • community and economic development
  • health and nutrition
  • natural resources and environmental science

Taste of Extension event showcases impacts in Clark County

Varlin and Jake in Wranglers, boots, belts and plaid western shirts; Jacob in a dark suit, no tie, unbuttoned collared shirt, with brown dress shoes; Marilyn in a royal blue blazer, black outfit and black strappy sandals; and 11 smiling Extension 4-H employees and youth in green 4-H shirts.

At the Taste of Extension event, left to right: Lincoln County Commissioner Varlin Higbee, Eureka County Natural Resources Manager and Extension Advisory Council member Jake Tibbits, Extension Director Jacob DeDecker, and Clark County Commissioner and Extension Advisory Council member Marilyn Kirkpatrick with members of Extension's Logandale 4-H Club.

Extension served up samples of its programming at its first Taste of Extension event, which was hosted by Extension's Advisory Council and Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick on Aug. 30 at the Clark County Government Center. The event was designed to showcase a “taste” of the programs Extension offers in Clark County, such as Little Books & Little Cooks — a program for young children and parents to learn about healthy eating and early school readiness. Activities included a hatching process and incubator display by Extension's 4-H Youth Development Program, shopping for fruits and vegetables using EBT benefits at a mock farmers market by Extension's SNAP-Ed Program, and more. The event was attended by a variety of local and state stakeholders, 4-H youth and members of the community.

A blonde woman in a white shirt and blue skirt stands next to a table with two women seated and a man in a dark blue suit and blue shirt.

Southern Area Extension Director Eric Killian shares the wealth of Extension programming with attendees.

UNR President Brian Sandoval, who is wearing khakis and a navy polo, stands with three youth wearing green 4-H shirts in a semi-circle as they talk at the Extension event.

University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval speaks with a group of 4-H members. 

A woman with dark hair in a black and red dress stand near a woman in a Navy shirt and jeans and a woman in a blue floral top and tan pants in front of a table with a navy tablecloth and plants.

Extension's Tricia Braxton Perry (right) and Nicole Hansen (center) discuss Youth Horticulture Education Program impacts with Nevada System of Higher Education Regent and Extension Advisory Council Member Laura Perkins (left). 

University of Nevada, Reno and University of Nevada, Las Vegas partner for Clark County

Two men shake hands while standing in front of pullup banners for UNLV and UNR Extension near the USA flag, Nevada state flag, and 4-H flag.

Presidents Sandoval (left) and Whitfield shake hands at the joint reception.

University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval and University of Nevada, Las Vegas President Keith Whitfield hosted a reception with leadership, faculty and staff from both institutions in Clark County on Sept. 13.

Presidents and provosts of both universities joined faculty and staff to celebrate existing partnerships between UNLV and University of Nevada, Reno Extension and to build on those collaborations in order to have even greater impact in Clark County.

Kickoff to Kindergarten fair supplies free school-readiness resources

University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Partners in Parenting team hosted its seventh annual Kickoff to Kindergarten for children ages 3-5 and their families on Aug. 27 at the East Las Vegas Library. This year’s theme was “Sea Creatures” and featured fun hands-on learning activities and helpful resources for families, thanks to participating agencies.

The event had 557 participants, 27 volunteers and 26 vendors, and also included visits from Congresswoman Dina Titus, Clark County Commissioner William McCurdy’s team and the Office of U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen. Kindergarten-readiness supplies were given to participants from 41 zip codes.

A woman with short hair smiles as she speaks with a woman and her child.

Christina Lee, a member of Extension’s Partners in Parenting team, speaks with a mother and her child about Extension resources and programming. 

Six women smile while they stand in front of a yellow fish mascot from the PBS show “Splash and Bubbles.”

Congresswoman Dina Titus (second from right) with PBS’s Splash and, left to right, Extension’s Heidi Petermeier, Olga Soto,  Maria Bivins, YaeBin Kim and Christina Lee.

A young boy in a red shirt stands in front of a table with crayons and coloring sheets next to another young boy in a baseball cap. His mother stands behind him as she is handed a sheet of paper with information on it.

Children enjoy activities while parents receive information from event partners.

A young girl around age 5 with black hair wearing a headband smiles and shares her pink, white and purple face painting design.

While getting information about school readiness, children also enjoy face painting.

A woman in a purple shirt points to cucumbers as she talks to a young boy wearing a baseball cap. Two individuals are dressed as an avocado and peas in a pod behind a table.

Extension staff share fresh vegetables with children.

Healthy Kids Festival provides healthy activities for families with children

A group of children attempt to hula hoops in a field of grass.

Children hula hoop, demonstrating one of the fun ways that they can stay active. 

On Sept. 24, Extension held its 10th annual Healthy Kids Festival at the Bob Price Recreation Center in Clark County. The free event is held during National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month to provide healthy activities for families with children ages 3 to 8. The festival featured a day of fun and educational activities, including music and dancing, gardening, chef demonstrations, a fruit and vegetable market, and more.

The event’s attendance included 592 children, 443 adults, 98 exhibitors and 61 volunteers. It was sponsored by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Clark County Parks & Recreation, Southern Nevada Health District, Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick and La Bonita Supermarkets.

A young girl in a pink shirt sits in an inflatable seashell with a woman wearing a multicolored mermaid tail.

Extension’s SNAP-Ed Coordinator Macy Helm helps bring the beach theme to fruition as a mermaid!

A green watermelon is carved with the letters HKF on top, Healthy Kids Festival in the middle and 2022 on the bottom.

Healthy fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, are at the center of the festival.

Learn more about programs aimed at keeping kids healthy

Jacob DeDecker named director of Extension

Following a national search and recruitment process, Jacob DeDecker was named director of Extension and associate dean for engagement with the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno. His appointment began July 1.

DeDecker comes to Nevada from Michigan State University, where he spent the past 16 years building Extension and 4-H youth development programming, most recently serving as associate director of the Children & Youth Institute and the state leader of MSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program. He earned a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate in animal sciences, as well as a certificate in business administration, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

Jacob DeDecker.

Jacob DeDecker assumed the role of director of Extension and associate dean for Engagement with the College on July 1.

Raised on his family’s livestock and grain farm in Illinois, DeDecker appreciates the importance knowledge and partnerships have on solving problems and helping people thrive.

Read more about Extension’s new director

Master Gardeners offer expert advice, show Botanic Gardens at Harvest Festival

Extension and its Master Gardeners held its first Harvest Celebration to welcome autumn. Approximately 100 individuals helped celebrate the fall season at Extension’s Botanic Gardens in Clark County.

Attendees not only enjoyed the beautiful outdoors and some autumnal treats, but also had the opportunity to learn from four different presentations by Extension’s Master Gardener Compost, Iris and Bulb, and Rose Committees. 

A table with an Extension and Master Gardener branded tablecloth is filled with seed packets and raffle items in baskets.

Attendees had the chance to win some fantastic horticulture-themed door prizes.

Two women stand on walking trail as the woman on the left shows the woman on the right gardening information.

A Master Gardener shares horticulture information during the Harvest Celebration.

Extension works to prevent falls in older adults

A blonde woman in a blue shirt faces a room of older adults who are seated as she teaches a class.

Kayla Ransom, Extension community-based instructor, teaches fall prevention to a group of older adults.

Extension in Clark County participated in national efforts to support the National Council on Aging’s falls-prevention activities. Extension organized seven falls-prevention events at six income-restricted over-55 apartment communities, plus an event at the Silver Pines overnight camp for Cora Coleman Senior Center members. Collectively, 185 older adults were able to participate in the falls-prevention events.

These events were coupled with a health fair at the Ovation apartment properties, which included additional information on health care, eye care, Medicare and senior services, and geriatric assessments.

At the overnight camp, campers also participated in a Seniors Eating Well Fitness Fun lesson and food demonstration taught by Extension Community-Based Instructor Kayla Ransom.

Extension specialist receives award for southern Nevada green-industry program

M.L. Robinson.

M.L. Robinson.

M.L. Robinson received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents for his Professional Horticultural Management Program. 

Meet M.L. See his award

Posted on: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Complete list of past Clark County newsletters Visit Clark County's Home Page

Learn more about the author(s)

Ashley Nickole Andrews
Ashley Nickole Andrews
Molly Malloy
Molly Malloy