Food Safety and Quality | Extension | University of Nevada, Reno

Practical food safety and quality advice you can trust

Providing information, programs and training grounded in research to help Nevada's people, agencies and businesses improve food safety and quality.

Featured Programs

Livestock Biosecurity

Food Business Center

Beginning Farmer and Rancher - Herds & Harvest Program

Featured Popular Publication

In a hospital, a woman in a bright red shalwar kameez dress and dupatta shawl spoon-feeds an emaciated infant in her lap.

University scientists conduct, shed light on microbiome research to help impoverished children grow

Millions of children worldwide experience diarrheal infections that cause malnourishment and stunted physical and mental growth. A recently published study shows that a specific probiotic strain, a live bacterium that lives in the body, helps severely malnourished Bangladeshi infants grow.

Read more about this Popular Publication

All Food Safety & Quality Programs

Beginning Farmer and Rancher - Herds & Harvest Program

Developing educational courses, workshops, technical assistance, business advice and mentoring support network for Nevada agricultural producers who are beginning or diversify a farm or ranch operation.

Cattlemen's Update

Cattlemen’s Update is Extension’s annual educational program offered for beef cattle producers to learn about issues affecting profitability and product quality in the Great Basin region.

Food Business Center

Providing training and technical assistance to help Nevada producers diversify and expand their product portfolio, optimize operational processes and ensure that those entering food processing are compliant with US requirements.

Food Safety Project

Extension has been instrumental in bringing about the "Nevada Food Safety Task Force," which strives to provide a working forum for food safety experts and to improve communication between all entities that are held accountable for food safety and security within our state.Improving Food Safety Education for Child and Adult Care Providers in Nevada.

A healthy meal: chicken sandwich and grapes on a plate and a glass of water.

Healthy Eating on a Budget

The Healthy Eating on a Budget program has been integrated into the TANF Work Readiness workshop as a SNAP-Ed program. The purpose of the 8-lesson series is to provide SNAP recipients with education on healthy nutrition and physical activity practices, food resource management, food safety and food security.

Healthy Food Systems

The Healthy Food Systems Program works to increase access to and knowledge about healthy foods within the community through direct education and policy, systems, and environmental changes. The program focuses on local food production, food preparation and processing, nutrition, and food security to successfully educate the community on how food systems influence health.

Home Food Preservation Program

The Home Food Preservation Program provides technical support on how to safely preserve foods through various methods and techniques.

Livestock Biosecurity

Biosecurity is important to keep your animals healthy and your business productive. Small steps can make a difference and prevent diseases in your livestock (cattle, swine, sheep, goats) and poultry.

Food Related News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...


Climate Science Readiness and Training Needs of Nevada Extension Professionals Special publication that evaluates the needs and institutional desires for incorporating climate change information into existing Extension programming. Includes assessment of attitudes, perceived knowledge levels, current efforts to address climate change and the need for training. Kratsch, H., Cobourn, J., Chichester, L. and Ormerod, K. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-20-08
Five-year field trial of the biomass productivity and irrigation response of cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) as a bioenergy feedstock for arid lands. Neupane D, Mayer JA, Niechayev NA, Bishop CD, Cushman JC 2021, Global Change Biology: Bioenergy. 13(4): 719-741. DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12805.
Management of pennycress as a winter annual cash cover crop- A Review. Pennycress Cubins, J., Wells M.S., Frels, K., Ott, M., Forcella, F., Gregg, J., Walia, M.K., Becker, R.L., and Gesch, R.W. 2019, Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 39:46.
Nevada’s Renewable Energy Resources: Biomass Information on Biomass as a form of renewable energy in Nevada. Breazeale, D., Curtis, K., and Riggs, W. 2004, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-04-69
Nevada’s Renewable Energy Resources: Solar This fact sheet contains information on the potential of solar power in Nevada. Learn more about the renewable energy development, how solar energy is used, funding, and many more. Curtis, K., Breazeale, D., Riggs, W. 2004, 2004
Nevada’s Renewable Energy Resources: Wind This fact sheet contains information on wind power as a source renewable energy. Learn more about how wind power is used, projects, grants, and many more. Curtis, K., Breazeale, D., and Riggs, W. 2004, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-04-53
Winter camelina seed yield and quality response to harvest time. Winter camelina seed yield and oil quality affected by different harvest dates. Walia, M.K., Wells M.S., Cubins, J., Wyse, D., Gardner, R.D., Gesch, R., and Forcella, F. 2018, Industrial Crops and Products. 125: 765-775.