2026 Extension Statewide Conference

Moving Nevada Forward. Together.

November 4–6, 2026

 
 

Conference goals

  • Build shared understanding and learn about your important role in Extension’s initiatives, program priorities, and the key issues shaping our future work and impact.
  • Address progress and next steps to strengthen and unify Extension’s programming model, including program alignment, common outcomes, PEARS implementation and data-driven impact reports.
  • Meet Extension colleagues, spanning statewide faculty and multiple colleges, and learn about other programs and expertise that may lead to new collaborations and opportunities.
  • Form program area working groups to support an aligned, cohesive statewide system.
  • Develop skills as Extension professionals that will benefit you as professionals, your programming, and the communities you work with.

Agenda

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

Washoe County Office, 4955 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Health Rocks! Staff Training

If interested in receiving training on this curriculum, please reach out to Jill Baker-Tingey (tingeyj@unr.edu) or Cali Larrison-Ortiz (clarrisonortiz@unr.edu)

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026

Eldorado Resort Casino, 345 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501

1) Optional Field Trip — 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Explore Lake Tahoe

Transportation available from Eldorado Resort Casino to visit the University's Lake Tahoe Campus and the 4-H Camp Lake Tahoe. Taking the provided transportation is not required for those who have alternative options available to them (e.g., personal vehicles, Extension vehicles, carpooling). Mileage reimbursement is available for personal vehicles and Extension funds are available for costs associated with Extension vehicles. 
NOTE: This field trip will require some to arrive in Reno on Tuesday, November 3rd. If taking the provided transportation, please ensure arrival at Eldorado Resort Casino by 8:30 a.m. for an on-time departure. Lunch provided.

2) Optional Field Trip — 1 - 2:30 p.m. University's Main Campus Tour

Coordinated transportation available from Eldorado Resort Casino to University of Nevada, Reno (~1.5 miles). Taking the provided transportation is not required for those who have alternative options available to them, though parking on campus will be paid out of pocket by the employee. 

3) Optional Team Meeting — End by 3 p.m. Pre-conference meetings (organized independently)

Contact Macy Helm (mhelm@unr.edu) for assistance with room/space reservations if needed.

3 - 3:40 p.m.

Conference Check-In at Eldorado Resort Casino, 345 N Virginia St, Reno, NV

3:45 - 4:30 p.m. Official Conference Start: Welcome from Leadership

4:30 - 5 p.m. 

All teams: Understanding by Design
Discover the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework and learn how backward planning can help participants approach learning with greater purpose and focus. 

5 - 5:30 p.m. 

All teams: The Extension Connection: Meet the People Behind Our Work 
Utilize the UbD method right now to get the most out of your Statewide Conference. Apply the framework in small groups for hands-on learning and an opportunity to get to know each other. 

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

All teams: The Extension Connection: Meet the People Behind Our Work
An unstructured opportunity to get to know your colleagues across Extension. Hors d’oeuvres served. 

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026

Joe Crowley Student Union — University's Main Campus

7:30 - 8:15 a.m. Breakfast provided (Ballroom, 4th floor)

Professional Photos (optional)

8:15 - 9:30 a.m. Director’s Address (Ballroom, 4th floor) 

9:30 - 9:45 a.m. Break

9:45 - 11:15 a.m. Program Area Priority Meeting 1

Strategize Extension’s program efforts within these identified statewide priorities. Individuals engaged in these meetings will discuss strategic direction, critical audiences and programming, contributions to public value and lasting community impact, and evaluation strategies for long-term outcomes. Join the Program Area Priority Meeting if you are a faculty lead and/or program decision maker within the priority area. All Extension team members are invited to join these discussions if their work is represented in the priority area and/or if there is interest in participating in the strategic discussions. 

  • Workforce Development  (room #422)
  • Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (room #423)

9:45 - 10:30 a.m. Breakout Session 1

Facilitating Peer-to-Peer Learning in Your Program (room #320)
Speakers: Jenni Burr & Jessica Gardner
Get practical advice and strategies for preparing trainers and volunteers to successfully teach and engage others.

Trauma-Informed Practices: Program Communication to Break Down Barriers in Safe Environments (room #323)
Speaker: Pamela Payne
Learn from an experienced joint-appointment faculty and statewide specialist in Human Development Family Science and Extension about the ways trauma may appear in program participants and how programs can create safe environments for individuals with a range of personal experiences. By identifying ways trauma may appear, strategies that programs can implement to maximize opportunities for participants to engage and build trust while minimizing the risk for inadvertently creating barriers for participation will be discussed. 

Resolving Conflicts - Internal and External (room #403)
Speakers: Will Peshall, Liana Ris, Verla Jackson & Lindsey Barnes
Conflict is a part of working with others. Learn practical conflict management skills and how to have difficult conversations. Hear strategies on developing strong working relationships and discover University resources, including HR support, that can help when additional assistance is needed.

Media Training - University’s Marketing & Communications team (room #324)
Speaker: University Marketing & Communications
As University faculty and staff conducting public engagement programs and important research, being accessible to the media and at ease conducting interviews is essential. Learn tips to boost your confidence and deliver your expertise to mass audiences.

10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Break

10:45 - 11:15 a.m. Breakout Session 2  

Using Artificial Intelligence in Extension Responsibly (room #403)
Facilitators: Noel Gueco & Alyssa Rousseau 
Guided discussion with Extension IT about considerations, issues, and tips when using AI. Learn how your colleagues are using AI in their work. 

Hot Topics: Nevada Agriculture Trends (room #320)
Speakers: Paul Meiman, Lucas Phipps, Alejandro Rodriguez, Tracy Shane
Learn from Extension, Experiment Station, and Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences researchers about emerging trends, pressing issues, and important topics within Nevada agriculture 

Policy, Systems, and Environment: Identify Your PSE Programming (room #323)
Speaker: Macy Helm 
Discover how your work with organizations, decision-makers and community partners may already contribute to policy, systems or environmental change. Learn how to report the lasting community impact of your Policy, Systems and Environmental (PSE) work in PEARS.

11:15 - 11:30 a.m. Break

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (Ballroom, 4th floor)

All teams: University Marketing & Communications 
The University unveiled a new brand in October. Learn about the strategy behind the work, the key changes and what you can expect as implementation moves forward.

12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Lunch, provided

1:15 - 2:45 p.m. Program Area Priority Meeting 2
Strategize Extension’s program efforts within these identified statewide priorities. Individuals engaged in these meetings will discuss strategic direction, critical audiences and programming, contributions to public value and lasting community impact, and evaluation strategies for long-term outcomes. Join the Program Area Priority Meeting if you are a faculty lead and/or program decision maker within the priority area. All Extension team members are invited to join these discussions if their work is represented in the priority area and/or if there is interest in participating in the strategic discussions. 

  • Agricultural and Ecological Resilience (room #422)
  • Family Strength and Safety (room #423)

1:15 - 2:00 p.m. Breakout Session 3

Admin Office Hours (Ballroom Foyer)
Ask your questions to members of our admin teams (IT, Fiscal, HR)

Lessons Learned from Programming with Children and Youth (room #403)
Facilitators: Tracy Casbarro, Sarah Chvilicek, Cathy Peshlakai 
Get practical advice and strategies from experienced Extension experts on how to best engage young people from pre-K to 12th grade.  

Understand Smith-Lever Requirements and Reporting: Is Your Work Multi-State or Integrated? (room #320)
Speaker: Bret Hess
Learn how Smith-Lever funding supports Extension programming and why multistate and integrated Extension-Experiment Station activities are important components of the federal reporting process. Explore whether your current work may qualify for these reporting categories and how accurate reporting can help Extension fully utilize available federal funding opportunities.

2 - 2:15 p.m. Break

2:15 - 2:45 p.m. Breakout Session 4

Hot Topics: Nutrition Science Trends (room #403)
Speakers: Brad Ferguson & David St-Jules
Learn from Department of Nutrition researchers about the latest in dietary guidelines and nutrition research. 

Using PEARS for County Reports – Overview for County Coordinators (room #402)
Speaker: Miklo Alcala 
Learn from Extension’s PEARS Lead on how to export your county’s programmatic data for your annual county report. Practice downloading the exports from different PEARS modules, interpreting the county data, and filtering through the columns in the Excel file to find what is necessary to include in your annual county report. Bring your laptops if you would like to follow along.

Office Hours: Communications (Ballroom Foyer)
Facilitators: Shauna Lemieux, Ashley Andrews, Tatum Gogna, Emma Lande, Molly Malloy, Robert Moore, Claudene Wharton
Ask your questions to members of our CABNR Communications team

2:45 - 3:00 p.m. Break

3 - 4:30 p.m. Program Area Priority Meeting 3

Strategize Extension’s program efforts within these identified statewide priorities. Individuals engaged in these meetings will discuss strategic direction, critical audiences and programming, contributions to public value and lasting community impact, and evaluation strategies for long-term outcomes. Join the Program Area Priority Meeting if you are a faculty lead and/or program decision maker within the priority area. All Extension team members are invited to join these discussions if their work is represented in the priority area and/or if there is interest in participating in the strategic discussions. 

  • Community Capacity and Leadership (room #422)
  • Nutrition Security and Food Systems (room #423)

3 - 3:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions 5

Hot Topic: Positive Behavior Change (room #403)
Speaker: Angela Heinemann
Learn from a University expert about the science behind individual positive behavior changes and the best ways to help our community members engage in them.

2027 Nevada Legislative Session: Preparation & Priorities (room #402)
Speakers: Sheila Bray & Michael Flores 
Hear from the Government & Community Engagement team about the University’s (including Extension) plans and priorities for the upcoming session. Ask any questions you may have and learn about how you can participate and be engaged as an Extension professional.

Understand Smith-Lever Requirements and Reporting: Is Your Work Multi-State or Integrated? (room #320)
Speaker: Bret Hess
Learn how Smith-Lever funding supports Extension programming and why multistate and integrated Extension-Experiment Station activities are important components of the federal reporting process. Explore whether your current work may qualify for these reporting categories and how accurate reporting can help Extension fully utilize available federal funding opportunities.

3:45 - 4 p.m. Break

4 - 4:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions 6

What Resources Do We Have Available to Us? – A Panel with Human Resources, Information Technologies, CABNR Communications (room #403)
Extension employees have access to a wide range of resources, but many remain underutilized or unknown. In this panel discussion, representatives from Human Resources, Information Technologies and Communications will highlight helpful tools, services and benefits, while showcasing opportunities designed to help personnel and teams succeed.

Policy, Systems, and Environment: Identify Your PSE Programming (room #323)
Speaker: Macy Helm
Discover how your work with organizations, decision-makers and community partners may already contribute to policy, systems or environmental change. Learn how to report the lasting community impact of your Policy, Systems and Environmental (PSE) work in PEARS.

Optional Professional Photos (Ballroom Foyer)

4:40 - 5 p.m. Closing Remarks

Dinner on your own

Friday, Nov. 6, 2026

Joe Crowley Student Union — University's Main Campus

7:30 - 8 a.m. Breakfast, provided  (Ballroom, 4th floor)

8 - 8:15 a.m. Staff Recognition 

8:15 - 8:45 a.m. All teams

Community Engagement Panel Discussion
Engaging with the community is at the core of what we do. Learn practical advice and strategies from experienced Extension colleagues on how best to engage with our local communities.

8:50 -10 a.m. Team Meetings (Self-Facilitated) 

  • 4-H Youth Development
  • Administrative Assistants (statewide)
  • Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment
  • CABNR Comms
  • Combined Nutrition and Recovery
  • Community, Economic, and Workforce Development
  • County Coordinators & Educators
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Evaluation
  • Fiscal
  • Healthy Aging Initiative
  • Hope for Family Resilience Team
  • Horticulture/IPM
  • Human Resources
  • IT
  • Nevada Tribal Programs
  • Partners in Parenting
  • Where We Live & MEWRS

10 - 10:15 a.m. Break 

10:15 - 11:45 a.m. Program Area Priority Meeting 4

Strategize Extension’s program efforts within these identified statewide priorities. Individuals engaged in these meetings will discuss strategic direction, critical audiences and programming, contributions to public value and lasting community impact, and evaluation strategies for long-term outcomes. Join the Program Area Priority Meeting if you are a faculty lead and/or program decision maker within the priority area. All Extension team members are invited to join these discussions if their work is represented in the priority area and/or if there is interest in participating in the strategic discussions.

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing (room #422)

10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions 7

Office Hours: IT, Fiscal, CABNR Communications, Sponsored Projects, PEARS Support (Ballroom Foyer)

Lessons Learned From Programming With Older Adults (room #423)
Facilitator: Natalie Mazzullo 
Get practical advice and strategies from experienced Extension colleagues on how to most effectively engage with older adult populations.

Volunteer Management Best Practices (room #403)
Speakers: Katelyn Brinkerhoff & Ryan Tesar
Learn effective strategies for managing Extension volunteers, with a focus on recruitment, training, and retention. Experienced Extension professionals will share approaches they use to build strong volunteer relationships, address common management challenges, and keep volunteers engaged. Leave with strategies you can use to build or strengthen your volunteer program.

Policy, Systems, and Environment: Identify Your PSE Programming (room #323)
Speaker: Macy Helm
Discover how your work with organizations, decision-makers and community partners may already contribute to policy, systems or environmental change. Learn how to report the lasting community impact of your Policy, Systems and Environmental (PSE) work in PEARS.

10:45 - 11 a.m. Break

11 - 11:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions 8

Let’s Practice! Community Engagement and Facilitation (room #403)
Facilitators: Kristen Burr & Abbey Pike
Practice new engagement and facilitation skills and strategies with your colleagues

Understand Smith-Lever Requirements and Reporting: Is Your Work Multi-State or Integrated? (room #320)
Speaker: Bret Hess 
Learn how Smith-Lever funding supports Extension programming and why multistate and integrated Extension-Experiment Station activities are important components of the federal reporting process. Explore whether your current work may qualify for these reporting categories and how accurate reporting can help Extension fully utilize available federal funding opportunities

Extension Program Logic Models: From Planning to Outcomes (room #423)
Speaker: Najat Elgeberi
This session guides Extension professionals through an evaluation-planning process that begins with a logic model and culminates in a clear, evidence-based impact statement. Participants will learn how to translate program activities and intended outcomes into evaluation questions, indicators, and feasible data-collection strategies, then use findings to communicate credible evidence of program reach, outcomes, and impact. 

Community Benefit Agreements: Aligning Values Between Nevada’s Communities and Industries (room #324)
Speaker: Misha Allen 
Learn how Community Benefit Agreements can help align community priorities with industry goals. Explore strategies for promoting local engagement and creating positive outcomes for Nevada communities.

Optional Professional Photos (Ballroom Foyer)

11:50 a.m. - noon Closing Remarks (Ballroom, 4th floor)

Lunch on your own

Noon - 4 p.m.

Post-conference meetings (organized independently)

 
 

Important Conference Information

Who is the conference for? 

The Conference is intended for administrative and academic faculty, as well as classified staff in permanent positions. Temporary employees providing critical program or administrative support—such as hourly staff or those serving under letters of appointment—are invited to attend with area director review and approval. Please direct requests for temporary employee attendance to your area director.

Is attendance mandatory? What if I have a conflict? 

Individuals within the roles described above are expected to attend the Conference unless a pre-excused absence has been approved by the Area Director. We know significant conflicts may arise that will prevent attendance in some cases; however, we expect Extension employees to do their best to attend.

I will need to close my county office for full attendance; is that okay?

Yes, if you are able to close your county office to participate in the Conference, please do.

Do I need to complete a spend authorization? 

Spend authorizations are only required for those requesting cash advances. If you are requesting a cash advance to support travel, please submit the Spend Authorization via Workday by October 15, 2026 to ensure it reaches the Travel Office on time. For support in completing a Spend Authorization, please contact your area fiscal office.

Do I have to pay out of pocket to attend? 

All University-allowable travel expenses will be covered by Extension funds rather than by program-specific operating budgets. Following university reimbursement guidelines, lodging, per diem, and any personal vehicle mileage will be reimbursed after the Conference through Workday. Extension funds will also support Extension vehicle usage (i.e., fuel and depreciation costs). If needed, a cash advance is available through the Spend Authorization process.

Is there a hotel room block? 

A hotel block has been reserved at the Eldorado Resort Casino. The personalized registration link will be sent out to all registered attendees requiring accommodation to book your room within the block after registration closes (Sept. 11). Please do not reserve your room prior to receiving this information.

Will I have to share a hotel room?

Attendees will not need to share a hotel room. The lodging has been reserved as single rooms for each attendee. If you would like to share a hotel room with a colleague, please coordinate this individually while making your reservation via the hotel block.

If I’m located in a county less than 75-miles from Reno (i.e., Carson City, Douglas, Churchill, Lyon), will I be able to stay at the reserved lodging?

Yes. To reduce burden of commutes for non-local attendees, lodging and per diem will be reimbursed for travelers coming from these counties. In expense report submissions, please include the justification that this was a several days event with activities early in the morning and last into the night.

What are the travel options for those who will be driving into Reno? 

Travel can be determined by county with supervisor input as needed based on what is reasonable for your workstation location. Carpooling is also encouraged out of county offices that have Extension vehicles.

Lodging is available on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for those who require significant driving time. On Friday, Nov. 6 the conference ends at noon with the intention that those driving can still return home on the same day.

What transportation options will be available for those without vehicles? 

For those flying into Reno, airfare purchases will be centralized through Southwest Group Booking. Please do not individually purchase tickets. Information will be sent out once registration closes on Sept. 11.

There will be coordinated transportation options to/from Reno Airport to Eldorado. Coordinated transportation options will also be available to/from campus on Thursday and Friday. Staff should not book individual rental cars. As we near the event, an email with transportation details will be sent to registered attendees.

What parking options will be available for those with vehicles? 

For those with vehicles (personal or Extension), parking is free at Eldorado and reserved parking spots will be available on campus.
Carpooling within available vehicles can be coordinated individually.
Campus is ~1.5 miles from the Eldorado for those who are interested in walking.  

What meals will be provided? 

On Nov. 4, lunch will be provided for those who attend the Lake Tahoe field trip. On Nov. 4, hors d'oeuvres will be provided for all registered attendees. On Nov. 5th, breakfast and lunch will be provided for registered attendees. On Nov. 6, breakfast will be provided for registered attendees.

What is the dress code? 

Your everyday work attire is recommended with comfortable shoes. Wearing your University Extension gear is encouraged!

What if I’m in a classified position and the days extend eight hours? 

Please work with your supervisor and area HR team to determine how additional working time accumulated will be accommodated.

What are the different session types within the Conference agenda? 

  • Program Area Priority Meetings are intended to strategize our Extension efforts across eight identified statewide priorities. Individuals engaged in these meetings will discuss strategic direction, critical audiences and programming, contributions to public value and lasting community impact, and evaluation strategies for long-term outcomes.  
  • Breakout Sessions are concurrent sessions that offer information on a wide range of topics relevant to Extension professionals (administrative and programmatic). These sessions are designed for anyone as professional development.
  • Office Hours provide time with administrative teams to ask questions related to fiscal, human resources, information technology, marketing and communications, sponsored projects, and PEARS reporting.
  • Time for Team Meetings is available on Friday morning, self-facilitated by each group (selection made during registration). Extension employees work in a variety of teams and groups. We want to provide space for any team that would like to meet together. There is also an opportunity for pre- and post-conference meetings. If you need support in identifying a meeting location for a pre- or post- engagement, please contact Macy Helm (mhelm@unr.edu).

Should I attend the Program Area Priority Meeting? 

At minimum, the faculty leads and program decision makers who make strategic decisions about program implementation and evaluation are requested to attend the Priority Meeting(s) that align with their portfolio of work. In some instances, faculty will attend multiple Priority Meetings due to the cross-cutting nature of their programming. County coordinators are invited to attend the Priority Meeting(s) that align with their program foci within their county operations. Classified staff are also invited to attend these sessions if contributing to the program’s strategic decision-making and/or if participating in the strategic discussions is valuable to their professional development as an Extension team member.

Will additional information about Breakout Sessions and Program Area Priority Meetings be available? 

As we near the conference, session descriptions will be added to the conference webpage to provide more information about each session’s content. Speakers for each session will also be included at that time. For high level information, refer to the current FAQ “What are the different session types within the Conference agenda?” and “Should I attend the Program Area Priority Meeting?”.

Will central offices be included during Office Hour sessions?

Yes, the intention is to include central offices in these sessions to provide opportunities to ask questions. Additional session details will become available as we near the conference.

Can we attend both field trips? 

Due to distance to Lake Tahoe and travel arrangements, attendees can only select one field trip on Nov. 4.

Is there an opportunity to meet with the Lake Tahoe camp team? 

Those interested in learning more about Lake Tahoe Camp are encouraged to attend the field trip on Nov. 4.

Will there be an opportunity to showcase our program and/or our classes?

Throughout the conference there will be opportunities to connect with colleagues and share work being done across the state. This will take place during the opening sessions on Nov. 4, Program Area Priority Meetings, and Team Meetings on Nov. 5.

If I’m attending the Health Rocks! training, when do I have to arrive to Reno? 

Please work with Jill Baker-Tingey and Cali Larrison-Ortiz for travel needs related to the Health Rocks! training to ensure an on-time arrival to Reno.

If I’m attending the Explore Lake Tahoe field trip, when do I have to arrive to Reno? 

You have the option to arrive before the field trip begins (8:30 a.m.) or the day before (Nov. 3) depending on where you are located. Extension funds are available to those who require travel into Reno on Nov. 3 to accommodate University approved travel expenses.

Can I drive to the Explore Lake Tahoe field trip myself? 

This field trip includes a tour of the University’s Lake Tahoe Campus and the 4-H Camp Lake Tahoe. Provided transportation will be available as 34-passenger vehicles. Taking the provided transportation is not required for those who have alternative options available to them (e.g., personal vehicles, Extension vehicles, carpooling). Mileage reimbursement is available for personal vehicles and Extension funds are available for costs associated with Extension vehicles. 

How do I confirm I am registered for the Conference? 

You should have received a confirmation email from Formstack. It may have originally went to your junk folder but should have moved to your main inbox.

Registration has closed!

If you have questions or require support related to registration, please contact Macy Helm (mhelm@unr.edu OR (702) 257-5592).