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 FY2020-2021.
During the FY2021-2022 year, we hired our current Extension Educator, Dr. Hiren Bhavsar, Assistant Professor. He joined us on July 1, 2022. His vision for Lyon County is to serve the residents through the educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs, and opportunities. He, along with program coordinators, program instructors, and support staff will play a role in delivering information to help our ranchers, farmers, school children, teachers, caregivers, consumers, homeowners, business owners, visitors, workers, parents, government officials, home gardeners, and entrepreneurs. He and all extension staff members are grateful for the opportunity to serve our stakeholders and partners. We are all looking forward to rebuilding programs and relationships with the Lyon County communities.
Health and Nutrition
SNAP-ED – Produce Pick of the Month
The school year of 2021-2022 allowed us back into the classroom at full force. With COVID restrictions lifted, we were able to continue our directed studies on Produce Pick of the Month in 7 Lyon County Schools.
The 2nd and 3rd grade students learned about various fruits and vegetables, and how they help their bodies. They know that playing outside for 60 minutes every day helps keep their growing bodies strong.
The kiddos also learned how to read the Nutrition Fact Labels, but more importantly, how to collect information off of them to make better choices about what they eat.
We also continued educating the students on the “Food Systems Cycle.” They know now that their food just doesn’t magically show up at the grocery store but goes through several processes to get there.
We had 775 unique participants in our program, with around 2,000 total contacts made.
4-H
4-H in Lyon County ran 10 clubs with 24 volunteers and 124 4-H members and completed many activities. Some of the highlights from the year include:
Offered a successful Lyon County 4-H Camp at Lake Tahoe in spite of various constraints. Participants enjoyed archery, games, crafts, STEM activities, swimming, and beach time. Desert Research Institute staff came out and offered robotics curriculum to the kids and the kids worked through some engineering science activities.
Lyon County Jr. Livestock show doubled the number of participants and improved the quality of the show dramatically.
Quality Assurance, which is a program that trains youth exhibitors to understand the rules, regulations, and expectations in raising animals, was expanded and offered in-person in Fernley, Yerington, and Silver Springs.
Successful 4-H recruitment and outreach events were held in Dayton, Fernley, Silver Springs, Smith Valley, and Yerington both to provide information about our 4-H programs and to raise awareness of 4-H in Lyon County.
Increased the number of Record Books (annual reports on the youth’s progress and thoughts on their project work) completed by 4-H members across the county for year-end awards. This increased participation in our year-end awards. We encourage record books to help youth develop critical thinking and to help them better understand the cost, time, and patience that can be required for various projects through self-reflection and record keeping.
New projects expanded the number of offerings available to members throughout the county. New projects such as robotics and outdoor adventure will help to broaden the reach and interest in the variety of learning topics that 4-H has.
Multiple planning sessions were held at Silver Springs Middle School and Sierra Sage to implement the Health Rocks 4-H curriculum. Health Rocks is an anti-drug, vaping, and alcohol program that encourages critical thinking, psychological growth, and development to encourage better decisions in peer groups.
Partnered with Silver Springs Middle School Robotics Club in an effort to expand exposure to 4-H and to increase STEM interest.
Our county 4-H Community Based Instructor, Hillary Dashiell, attended various trainings and the Western 4-H Institute to help better support and expand our Lyon County 4-H community.
Increased the number of 4-H members from Lyon County who entered and competed at Nevada 4-H Expo, which is the annual showcase for static exhibits, demonstrations, fashion revue, shooting sports, livestock breeding, horse competitions, dog shows, rabbit & cavy shows, and herpetology.
Sent one 4-H member from Lyon County to the National Shooting Sports Competition for the first time in over a decade.
Had one Lyon County 4-H member apply and be accepted to be a National Shooting Sports Ambassador.
Increased the number of exhibitors and participants in the Silver State Youth Livestock Show, both for Livestock and static entries.
Lyon County 4-H Leaders’ Council awarded college scholarships to all three of their graduating seniors.
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 is available online.
Radon
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.
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
FY 22 Expenses Lyon County
State 166,201
Federal 37,339
County 73,800
Grants 58,666
Gifts 3,500
Other 4,677
Total $344,183
FY 22 County Funds Summary
Opening Balance $322,961
Revenue $172,658
Expenses $109,502
Ending Balance $386,117
