Program Impacts
University of Nevada, Reno 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’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, and plays a vital role in fulfilling the University’s land-grant mission.
Due to the pandemic induced precautionary measures Extension outreach activities were lower than past years but better than from 2020.
4-H
We welcome Hillary Dashiell as the new 4-H educator in Lyon County. Hillary started in March 2021 and for the 2020-2021 4-H year, 4-H in Lyon County ran 8 clubs with 24 volunteers and 104 4-H members and completed many activities despite various Covid related issues and lack of a 4-H staff member for several months. Covid and mask policies have created some extra challenges in terms of enrollment and participation. Some of the highlights from the year include:
The Lyon County 4-H Leaders’ Council raised over $1000 at the Lyon County Fair and the funds were used to award 1 scholarship in Lyon County to a graduating senior.
- Lyon County 4-H held a Lyon County Jr. Livestock Show for the County, as well as a Horse Clinic. Both events were open to 4-H, FFA, Grange and Independent members.
- A Quality Assurance event was hosted as well for the County to help kids meet show requirements.
- Lyon County 4-H held a Lyon County 4-H Camp at Tahoe in August for 26 youth and 6 chaperones.
- Successful 4-H recruitment and outreach events were held across the county both to provide information about our 4-H programs and to raise awareness of 4-H in Lyon County.
Health and Nutrition
SNAP-Ed- Produce Pick of the Month
All Lyon County Schools were overwhelmed this last year from pandemic induced changes in learning models, (Hybrid, Distant, Full Time In-Class). Judy Halterman, Lyon County’s SNAP-ED educator was able to go into three Lyon County Schools in 2021. Total number of unique students were 519, while total contacts were 1,574.
This last year brought us many changes to SNAP-ED programming in the schools. Lyon County, and Clark County were actively involved with moving from “Direct Education” to “Virtual Education.” The two counties worked tirelessly together to produce nine video lessons that could be taught virtually in the schools, or in the students’ homes. Peri Farms went out of their way in cooperating with use to film all processes of the “Food Supply Chain” in their business. Showcasing these processes helps students better understand where their food comes from.
Students were given opportunities to taste the various fruits and vegetables they studied. Programs such as Pick A Better Snack and the SPAN-ET evaluation program are important to Lyon Community youth. Education and evaluation combined are a method to facilitate change.
Students were given opportunities to taste the various fruits and vegetables they studied. Programs such as Pick A Better Snack and the SPAN-ET evaluation program are important to Lyon Community youth. Education and evaluation combined are a method to facilitate change.
Catch Summer Programming
This last summer, we were able to do our Catch Summer Programming at two of the Boys and Girls Clubs in Lyon County. The kids were taught one nutritional lesson a day, with arts and crafts, physical activity games, and food art snacks. All had a wonderful time. Unique numbers were 149, while total contacts were at 491.
Nevada economic assessment project (NEAP)
The Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP) aims to provide county, state, and federal agencies, and their partners, with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand trends in each county’s demographic, social, economic, fiscal and environmental characteristics. The data can be used for land use and project planning, grant writing and overall policy assessment. This project is led by Buddy Borden and Tom Harris, community economic development Extension specialists. The full Lyon County NEAP report.
Radon Mitigation Program
The Nevada Radon Education Program is a partnership with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health. This program provides educational material to Nevada citizens regarding the health risk posed by elevated levels of radon in the home. Free test kits are provided to Nevadans during a promotional period once a year to assist in evaluating their radon potential. Radon is a radioactive gas that is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas, that can cause cancer, which occurs naturally in the soil in Nevada. Lyon County has an elevated potential risk in a large portion of the County. Testing homes for radon is the first step in preventing radon caused illness and mortality. Extension in Lyon County participates in the radon program by distributing educational material and radon test kits in three major communities during radon awareness months. The City of Fernley and the Dayton Fire Department are collaborative partners with Extension to facilitate test kit distribution in outlying communities.
Fiscal year 2020 - 2021
County Funds Summary
Opening Balance- $276,168
Revenue- $128,636
Expenses- $114,626
Ending Balance- $290,178
Expenditures Benefitting Washoe County
County- $114,626
Federal- $53,562
State- $120,910
Sponsored Projects- $45,655
Other- $23,450
Total- $358,203
