Jill Moe

Director of the Desert Farming Initiative

Office: (775) 682-9783
Mobile: 775-233-0677
Email: jmoe@unr.edu
Building: Knudtsen Resource Center
Address: 1664 N. Virginia Street, Mail Stop 221, Reno, Nevada 89557
Department: Desert Farming Initiative
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Summary

Jill has a a Master certificate in sustainable agriculture from Washington State University’s global campus, Master degree in environmental policy from the University of Washington, and 25 years of experience in her fields of study. Jill comes from a family with agricultural roots in the Midwest and became interested in desert farming as a US Peace Corps agroforestry volunteer in West Africa. She has managed large scale watershed planning and regional natural resource management projects, and has hands-on experience in market farming in the US and Europe. Her key interests are in supporting small farm resiliency and building healthy food systems. Current research focuses on cover cropping in vegetable production systems, and perennial fruit production in the high desert.

Education

Diploma: Woodbury High School, MN, 1989 (Colegio Internacional de Caracas 1986-1988).
BA political science and Spanish: Univ. of WI-Madison, 1993 (Universidad de Sevilla, spring 1992).
MPA: Univ. of WA-Seattle, 1997. Master certificate sustainable ag.: WA State Univ., 2018.

Programs
Teaching
Service
Publications

Programs

About DFI

The Desert Farming Initiative is a diversified commercial farm at the University of Nevada, Reno which serves as a demonstration, education, outreach and research farming program.

Academic Student Internships

Come learn with us! The Desert Farming Initiative offers for-credit internships for University of Nevada, Reno students. Email tgogna@unr.edu for more information.

Ag workforce development

DFI creates opportunities for new and aspiring farmers to receive intensive on-farm training, and/or expand fruit and vegetable operations. Opportunities include formal farm apprenticeships and commercial farm incubators. Both foster the transfer of agricultural skills through farmer-to-farmer mentorship — building a stronger Nevada food system.

Career Opportunities

Interested in working for DFI?

Healthy Meals with Limited Kitchen Access

Peruse a list of easy, healthy recipes! These don't require a full kitchen and focus on adding nutritional value to low cost meals.

On-Farm Food Safety Strategies

The Initiative's Food Safety Program provides resources for growers throughout the state of Nevada. The Initiative partners with the Nevada Department of Agriculture to demonstrate produce safety practices, share guidance and provide training.

Orchard and Vineyard Research

Read more about the orchard and vineyard projects being conducted in Northern Nevada.

Organic Plant Nursery

Providing high-quality organic plants starts for commercial farms, large gardens, schools and nurseries. All plant starts are grown in the Initiative's certified organic greenhouse.

Organic Training Farm

Learn about the Training Farm and where DFI fruit and vegetables are available.

DFI staff at farmers market next to produce table

Regional Food Security Initiatives

DFI partners to address food insecurity through statewide programs, and directs fresh fruit and vegetables to food pantries.

Small Farm Resiliency Strategies

Small farm resiliency strategies aim to link fruit and vegetable growers to the best available regional information and decision-making tools on an ongoing basis, as well as sharing practical guidance.

Student Employment

These positions are only available to University of Nevada, Reno students.

The Team

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you interested in getting your hands dirty and want to learn how to grow fruits and vegetables?

Courses

Jill oversees academic and competitive paid internships for UNR students, conducts extension for fruit and vegetable growers, and builds programs to train the next generation of Great Basin small farmers.

Honors and Awards

Henry M. Jackson Fellowship for Natural Resource Management, 1993

Service

US Peace Corps volunteer

Restoration and conservation volunteer for natural resource agencies and non-profit organizations

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Blog Posts
Climate Modification Using High Tunnels in Western Nevada What are high tunnels and why do growers use them? Read more in this recent Extension publication based on DFI's indoor vegetable production... Moe, J. 2021, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
Informational Publications
Alliums and Produce Safety Alliums are Nevada’s largest vegetable crop, with the value of onion and garlic production amounting to $10 million in 2017. These important crops are successfully grown at a very large scale in the State, such as at Snyder Onion, Nevada Onion & Peri and Sons farms in Yerington, and at smaller scales, including here... Moe, J. 2020, Desert Farming Initiative, University of Nevada, Reno