Risk Management Education

About the RMA Program

This program helps producers understand the risks they face in agricultural production and teaches strategies to mitigate those risks in order to increase the probability of economic survival for the farm and the personal security of the farm family.

The educational programming consisted of five one- or two-day programs in financial production, price and market risk.

The program topics were based upon needs as indicated in producer program evaluations and surveys conducted in the previous academic year. Participating producers were able to more effectively manage their enterprise and have an understanding of various risk management options. Informed decisions regarding markets, pricing and production based on strong financial analysis led to sustainable agricultural practices and enhanced quality of life for farmers and their surrounding communities.

Nevada Urban Agriculture Conference

January 28-30, 2025 • South Point Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV

Presentations and workshops related to southern Nevada Urban Ag production, market, financial, institutional and human resources risk management tools. The audience includes new & veteran farmers, local chefs, local restaurant owners, master gardeners, farmers market managers, food banks and other urban ag. stakeholders. We are also coordinating a grow-local dinner with local chefs.

Lead Coordinator: Carolina Martinez, carolinamartinez@unr.edu, 775-313-8012

Nevada Small Farms Conference

February 20-22, 2025 • Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, NV

Presentations and workshops related to northern Nevada Small Acreage producers. The audience includes new and veteran farm owners, local food advocates, chefs, and other stakeholders. We are collaborating with a local non-profit to host a grow-local dinner, which will also be open to the public (more information to come).

Lead Coordinator: Kaley Chapin, kaleys@unr.edu, 702-467-2668.

Bee and Garden Conference

March 20-22, 2025 • Carson Valley Inn, Minden, NV

The University of Nevada, Reno Extension in collaboration with the USDA Risk Management Agency(RMA) bring you the 2025 Bee and Garden Conference. The Bee and Garden Conference will focus on beekeeping, pollinators, and landscaping for homeowners and small acreages, as well as specialty crop producers. Additionally, there will be trainings, presentations, and workshops on value-added opportunities in apiculture and home gardening, and navigating how to get products to market. Hands-on opportunities will also be available.

This conference is made possible by funding from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency and other partners, including the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the Nevada Farm Bureau.

Visit the Call for Proposals page if you would like to present, teach a workshop, or give a training at the conference.

More details coming soon.

Lead Coordinators: Daunelle Wulstein, 530-318-2903, daunellew@unr.edu

Program Impacts

Program impacts concluded the following: Producer knowledge gain from attending the seminars ranged from 188 to 455 percent; the majority (46 to 98 percent) of program participants considered the seminar valuable to them and worth their time; between 86 and 97 percent of participants felt they could apply their new knowledge and information in their job/operation; and between 92 and 100 percent of participants would attend future risk management programming.

Program impacts measured through pre- and post-seminar testing, post-seminar evaluations and six-month seminar evaluations concluded the following in 2007: Six months after the participants attended seminars, 17 to 68 percent (depending on the program) had incorporated ideas, knowledge and information from the seminar into their job/operation; 44 to 80 percent (depending on the program) were directly applying production, legal, marketing and range management techniques learned at the seminars.

Western Alfalfa and Forage Symposium-Farm Financial Decision Making: Attendees rated the seminar as very helpful (6 out of a possible 7), and the majority said they would use the information and knowledge gained in their job/operation (5.6 out of a possible 7). All UNCE instructors and material were rated 4.5 out of a possible 5.

Cattlemen’s College at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting: Participants said they would incorporate a large portion of the material and knowledge gained (7.1 out of a possible 10) into their job/operation. All six presentations were rated 4 or higher (out of a possible 5).

News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...
Upcoming agricultural events for 2024/2025 An up to date list of upcoming agriculture events. Chapin, K., Emm, S. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Bulletin