In this edition
- Growing a stronger Nevada
- New SNAP-Ed programming strategy
- Extension trains toddler teachers
- Study shows cactus pear as drought-tolerant crop
- Gardening in the spring
- Meet Extension’s Community Economic Development Coordinator
About our College
A founding college of the University, we have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, research and engagement programs that benefit the health and economic vitality of Nevada. We offer programs in:
- agriculture, horticulture, rangeland & veterinary sciences
- biochemistry & molecular biology
- children, youth & families
- community & economic development
- health & nutrition
- natural resources & environmental science
Growing a stronger Nevada
William A. Payne, Dean & Professor of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources.
"As I look back on the last couple of years, I am truly astounded at all we have accomplished. Although at times it seemed like COVID-19 was the focus of our days, a closer look shows that we were able to navigate the challenges created by COVID-19 while still reaching many of our goals to advance our land-grant missions of teaching, research and engagement," William A. Payne, Dean and Professor of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, said.
"Over the past year, Extension faculty and staff were hard at work, adapting valued workshops and trainings they formerly held in-person to online formats or videos to keep the education flowing during COVID. Small businesses, agricultural producers, food handlers, home gardeners, landscapers and many others benefitted from online educational programs. In fact, many of our programs had more participation than ever after going online, something that will likely change the way we will deliver some of our programs long after the pandemic is over."
Explore our recent impacts and achievements in this annual report
New SNAP-Ed programming helps Extension serve more than 38,000
Extension efforts included improving access to healthy options using SNAP benefits.
In recent years, the College’s Extension unit made a strategic change to how it approached Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) programming. This change brought grant applications and program efforts under one statewide plan that has allowed the program, which aims to improve the health and nutrition of those eligible to receive SNAP benefits, to grow and increase its impact throughout the state. These changes were fully implemented beginning in July 2019, and allowed the program to serve more than 38,000 individuals in the state that fiscal year (July 2019 – June 2020). This was an increase of more than 1,100 compared to the prior fiscal year.
Programs reach audiences as young as 3 years old to adults who are over the age of 50. One such program included an effort to increase the use of SNAP benefits at farmers markets. To do so, Extension launched pilot programs at two farmers markets in Clark County, where Extension’s efforts included systems and environmental changes, such as developing promotional banners and posters to raise awareness and establishing a central terminal booth to accept SNAP benefits, removing a common barrier for vendors at markets. The program's direct and indirect education efforts about the use of SNAP benefits at farmers markets reached 1,670 participants across 23 sites.
READ MORE ABOUT Extension's SNAP-ED PROGRAMMING IMPACT
Extension trains toddler teachers
The Child Development Associate credential reinforces a committment to early childhood education.
In Nevada, thousands of individuals become professional early childhood educators, and Extension is helping to ensure these individuals have the training needed to deliver the best to Nevada’s youngest residents.
The Infant Toddler Child Development Associate program, which is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education, has been offered by Extension for the past four years. This program includes 120 hours of training focused on teaching the best practices for how to nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual and social development of children.
Like many of the programs Extension offers, COVID-19 forced a change in the mode of delivery for this program. What may have been a challenge to some was an opportunity for this program. This change allowed the program to reach more individuals with class sizes increased from 27 to 35 and geographic barriers removed with virtual programming.
In the fall of 2020, 18 individuals in Clark County completed the 120-hour training and another 11 completed a 22-hour training to earn their second Child Development Associate credential.
Currently, the spring 2021 session has 31 individuals from Clark County enrolled in the 120-hour training.
Read more about Extension's Infant Toddler Child Development Associate Program and its impact
Study shows cactus pear as drought-tolerant crop for sustainable fuel and food
Among three cactus varieties researched by the University as drought-tolerant crops for biofuel, Opuntia ficus-indica produced the most fruit while using up to 80% less water than some traditional crops. Photo by John Cushman.
Research conducted at Extension and Experiment Station’s Experimental Cactus Garden located in Logandale, Nev., reveals that the cactus pear could become a major crop like soybeans and corn in the future, and serve as a sustainable fuel and food due to its drought-tolerant properties.
This five-year study was conducted by Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Professor John Cushman, with the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources and co-authored by Carol Bishop, postdoctoral research scholar Dhurba Neupane, and graduate students Nicholas Alexander Niechayev and Jesse Mayer.
Bishop, Extension educator for Northeast Clark County, and her team, which includes Moapa Valley High School students, continue to help maintain and harvest the more than 250 cactus pear plants still grown at the field lab in Logandale.
Read the full article about this study
Gardening in the spring in full swing
Extension's February workshop focused on vegetable gardening.
University of Nevada, Reno Extension and its certified Master Gardeners are keeping gardening enthusiasts engaged by holding a variety of online “Gardening in Small Places” workshops throughout the spring for southern Nevada gardeners. Classes cover vegetable gardening, composting and solving gardening problems.
The Master Gardener Program is part of the social horticulture programming of Extension. The Master Gardeners celebrated 27 years of volunteer service to the community in 2020.
Read more about these workshops
Meet Extension's Community Economic Development Coordinator
Robert Harper joined Extension in late 2020.
Robert Harper is an experienced economic development professional who provides innovative tools that drive systems change and positively influence the social and economic conditions of the communities we serve.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ROBERT HARPER
