University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is engaged in Nevada communities, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs in the areas of agriculture; children, youth and families; community and economic development; horticulture; health and nutrition; and natural resources. It is a county-state-federal partnership providing practical education to people, businesses and communities. It is a unit of the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, and plays a vital role in fulfilling the University’s land-grant mission.
PROGRAM IMPACTS
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS | HERDS & HARVEST | AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Focused on the integration of production practices into a cohesive system for managing annual and perennial plant population densities, fertility, irrigation efficiency, precision agriculture, and other cultural practices in an efficient and effective manner.
- Irrigators workshop, 19 producers
- Invasive Weed workshop, 26 local participants, mapped town of Eureka for noxious weeds
- Developed weed treatment and irrigated pasture establishment plan for JD Ranch
- NDA Drought initiative Grant application assistance, 5 producers received in excess of $121,000, increased efficiency by 20% saving over 1,000 ac.ft. of water annually
Our collaboration with University of Idaho Extension Water Management Engineer, NV Department of Agriculture, and Eureka County Conservation District provides a basis for producer support and adoption of sustainable irrigation and production practices.
NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Natural Resource Conservation (Natural Resources) focused on water supply and conservation, control of noxious weed and pests. There is significant overlap between Natural Resource programming and Agricultural Production in Eureka County. Water is a limiting factor in relation to population growth, economic stability and expansion, and quality of life. Noxious weed control and rodent control are major concerns affecting producers and Eureka’s economic stability. Natural Resource teaching and training efforts included:
- Riparian Proper Functioning Assessment Workshop in Eureka, 11 participants
- Developed an noxious and invasive weeds inventory for Eureka Township
- Assisted Eureka Rodent Control Board with pesticide treatment and integrated management
- Assisted in development of Nevada Collaborative Conservation Network
- Developed training template for NvACD Resource Needs Assessment (RNA)
- Initiated development of RNA online survey instrument to determine stakeholder conservation needs and priorities
- Completed update of NV Rangeland Monitoring Handbook and Rancher's Monitoring Guide with update team (3 year process)
- Developed a monitoring template and agreement for statewide consistency and use adopted by NCA, BLM and USFS statewide
- Developed Monitoring MOU's between USFS, BLM Nevada Cattlemen and Central Committee of NV State Grazing Boards
- Received $42,369 WSARE grant (Grazing Strategy Indices For Range Quality Assurance) and initiated research with producers
In 2017, Eureka County Cooperative Extension “Irrigators Workshop” all of the producers indicated that they would implement some portion of the workshop information into their operation.
4-H & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The focus in Eureka County was enhancement of the 4-H program while maintaining support to areas of Lander and Nye county 4H participants not currently served by their county. The 4H coordinator has been working to update and design the 4H program and online presence. Developed a Junior Livestock Committee, Animal Science Committee and Eureka County Firewise Committee.
We had 30 youth participate in the Eureka County 4-H livestock show, 6 youth participate in the 30 day Lego challenge, 10 Eureka county participants in the Austin 4H photo camp, and 13 youth participate in the Senior Center Christmas Carol.
Eureka County Cooperative Extension is updating and expanding the 4-H program to broaden the scope of projects beyond livestock, initiating drone and robotics STEM at Eureka High School, and continuing support of the Nevada Youth Range Camp.
Extension and Allen Gumm, initiated a drones and robotics STEM Program at the Eureka County High School. This program uses a hands-on experiential approach that teaches numerous skills and STEM applications. The use of drones is an emerging technology with tremendous opportunities for students in the future in many career choices.
Building a drone was fun.
I can actually make something that can fly.
NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Conservation Districts and Cooperative Extension are natural Partners in management, education, and implementation of Natural Resources
Eureka Extension Educator, has been working with NvACD and other Nevada Conservation Districts to update their Resource Needs Assessments and Conservation Action plans in order to become keystone conservation entities in their local areas of influence. Locally Led Conservation creates new opportunities for districts to step up as conservation leaders in their communities; to lead in planning and implementation so all conservation begins at the local level. The fundamental requirement to initiate Locally Led “Resource-Based” conservation is always the development of a Resource Needs Assessment (RNA) and analysis.
RNA’s will also help ensure that University of Nevada, Cooperative Extension (UNCE) education and outreach programs address the most-pressing community conservation needs, and help the College of Agriculture and Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station (NAES) set research priorities meet conservation needs across the state.
CD Resource Needs Assessment Process will:
- Provide a foundation for Locally Led conservation actions and management of resources
- Inform the STAC process to prioritize NRCS funding on a state and local basis for District projects
- Ensure that your conservation programs address the most important local resource needs in a manner acceptable to your community objectives
Conservation Districts to complete RNA’s in 2019
- Eureka
- Northern Elko
- White Pine
- Lincoln
- Smith Valley
- Mason Valley
- Conservation District of Southern Nevada (CDSN)
FISCAL YEAR 2017 - 2018
Summary
$178,187 - Total Revenue
$97,133 - Total Expenses
$793,153 - Total Balance
Revenue
$105,916 - County
$46,107 - State
$24,059 - Federal
$2,105 - Grants
Eureka County Cooperative Extension
701 S. Main St. | Eureka, NV 89316
Gary McCuin, Extension Educator
mccuing@unce.unr.edu | 775-237-5326
