Does hemp hold the potential to be Nevada’s next leading crop?

University research is looking at hemp varieties to determine best practices for production in Nevada

Hannah Alfaro

Cherry wine hemp, a strain Extension is growing for research, is showing great potential for growth in Nevada. Photo by Lauren McGue, Extension.

Hemp uses less water than many other crops, and its uses and popularity are growing. As a result, there is increasing interest in growing hemp in Nevada. Extension is now researching hemp varieties and best practices for growing it in Nevada, and offering online classes on the research findings. The work is being led by M.L. Robinson, an associate professor and horticulture specialist with Extension, with help from Extension’s Marysia Morawska, Lauren McGue and Master Gardener Volunteers.

"There are really positive results that we’re seeing in similar climates to Nevada when it comes to the growing of dual-purpose hemp crops," Morawska said. "Fiber, grain, hurd and oils, to name only a few, make up a huge part of the growing hemp economy, and Nevada can be a leader in the market, but we have to find the right plant genetics that work in our region. There is so much potential in this work."

Morawska and Robinson have conducted preliminary research and have hosted introductory workshops on hemp for the last few years. With growing interest and sold-out classes, they saw the opportunity to expand the curriculum beyond basic introductory courses.

The two started growing a handful of plants last year at Extension’s Botanic Gardens in Clark County in order to begin assessing the best practices for growing hemp in Nevada climates. This year, with help from McGue and Extension’s Master Gardeners, the team planted 11 different varieties of hemp at the Botanic Gardens to continue to research which ones grow best in Nevada’s desert environment. As part of the process, the team is developing best practices.

Coinciding with their research, the team is developing online classes for those interested in growing hemp, to promote it as a crop for Nevada and to provide research-based information for successful production here. The trainings will take producers through the hemp-growing process, including creating a small-business plan and getting proper licensing and certification.

New tutoring program helps middle and high schoolers, grows future teachers

University NevadaTeach students provide youth free help in math and science

Ashley Andrews

Before pandemic, NevadaTeach students gained hands-on teaching experience in local classrooms. Now, they're providing virtual tutoring to area students, honing their skills while helping others.

To boost middle and high school students' online learning, our NevadaTeach Program is facilitating opportunities for future educators who are enrolled at the University to provide youth free virtual help in math and science.

"Supporting the learning of math and science is at the foundation of our work, and it is exciting to explore new ways in which we can reach students while supporting future science and math educators," NevadaTeach Master Teacher Mandi Collins said.

Typically, our soon-to-be educators apply what they learn in their University coursework at area middle and high schools through a for-credit instruction class. During the pandemic, those classes are difficult or impossible to provide. The tutoring program addresses this problem, benefitting both University as well as middle and high school students.

"Virtual tutoring seemed to us like a way to not only help our students meet the goals of NevadaTeach, but also help learners in our communities," Collins said.

The virtual tutoring is available at no cost to schools or families due to the generous support of NevadaTeach Program donors. For more information on how to support NevadaTeach students, contact Mitch Klaich.

The NevadaTeach Program is a collaboration among several colleges at the University, including ours and the College of Education & Human Development. NevadaTeach students earn two degrees upon graduation. One is in secondary education and the other is a STEM degree. For students in our College, that second degree is in either agricultural or environmental science.

Program graduates meet the requirements to apply for a teaching license in Nevada at the middle or high school level.

What's all the buzz?

Strategies in understanding stimulants

Anne Lindsay

Stimulants include energy drinks, and these products are not as safe as you might think. Photo by Engin Akyurt.

Opioid has become a buzz word in America. While opioid addiction is a big problem, there is another longer-standing buzz, especially in Nevada. Stimulants.

Stimulants are a class of drugs that include not only more widely known substances such as methamphetamine and ecstasy, but also ADHD prescription drugs, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Nevada led the nation in overdose deaths from stimulant use in 2018. While it would be nice to see Nevada at the top of one of America’s health-related lists, this isn’t one of them, and this is no laughing matter.

So, why are these drugs so popular? According to researchers, the top two reasons for using stimulants are energy (for men and women) and weight loss (especially for women). And those not reaching for methamphetamine or prescription ADHD drugs are likely settling on super-coffee, energy drinks and other energy products as alternatives.

Sadly, these are not the safe alternatives you might think they are. Not considered a food or drug, alternatives such as energy drinks, energy products, dietary supplements and many others contain hidden, high-potency caffeine additives not subject to FDA regulations or premarket safety and effectiveness testing. They contain many ingredients with questionable safety. 

Because of the stimulant effects of these products, they have been described as a gateway for drug dependence.

Anne Lindsay is an associate professor and state specialist with Extension. Her expertise is in public health and exercise science. Anne has committed much of her education and research to better understanding the problem of stimulants, particularly for women and girls.