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.

Health and Nutrition

SNAP-ED – Produce Pick of the Month

During the 2022-2023 school year, we were in 4 elementary school classrooms. The 2nd and 3rd graders at Dayton, Fernley, Silver Stage, and Yerington Elementary enjoyed the directed studies program, “Produce Pick of the Month.” The students learned how they get their food through the “Food Systems Cycle” and how each part is vital to getting our food. The students also continued learning how to read nutritional labels and what to look for, such as if it is healthy or not. They learned about “Screen Time” and how it can affect “Play Time” outside. They learned that water is better for them than sugary drinks. Most importantly, they learned about how vitamins and minerals help their growing bodies. They were able to taste, in the classroom, cantaloupe, kale, cauliflower, jicama, garbanzo beans, blood oranges, bell peppers, asparagus, and blueberries. They learned about the six parts of a plant: the root veggies, the stem veggies, the leaf veggies, the fruit veggies, the flower veggies, and the seed veggies. Yes, it was a very good year for learning about what we eat!

Also, the Lyon County elementary school lunchrooms in Nevada got a facelift. The 2022-2023 Snap-Ed year brought the University of Nevada, Reno, Extension-Lyon County into the lunchrooms with The Smarter Lunchroom Movement. What a year it was!!! Three Elementary schools were chosen to participate in the Snap-Ed program this last school year and added excitement in its wake. Lyon County Schools Nutritional Services joined in on the fun and made changes along the way. It started with a Smarter Lunchroom Scorecard. Each lunchroom was assessed on what was already in place and what was not. From there, an Action Plan was written in regard to what could be changed easily both in the lunchroom and school setting. It could have been how the milk was displayed in the milk case, how the salad bar was positioned, how creatively the fruits and vegetables were named, hanging students' artwork on the corkboards each school received, adding “Share Tables” to cut down on waste, and the administration announcing what was for lunch in the morning announcements each day. Easy, little modifications added up to big outcomes. Each lunchroom was given time to work on the adjustments.

Then, the 2nd Smarter Lunchroom Assessment was completed. Each raised their score by 10-14 points!! Nutritional Services for the schools went above and beyond getting each lunchroom in the school district a “Share Cart” to help cut down on lunchroom waste. It was awesome seeing the students use the “Share Carts” and not throwing good food in the garbage. This whole process was fascinating to watch and be a part of!

4-H

4-H in Lyon County ran 10 clubs, with 34 different projects, and 25 volunteers. Our club enrollment increased to 140 members and we had 1469 kids reached with various learning activities in our county. Some of the highlights of our program this year include:

We offered another successful camp at Lake Tahoe with increased enrollment. Participants enjoyed games, crafts, archery, science, hot air balloon activities and rides, along with some teamwork activities.

We provided Quality Assurance Training in Yerington, Fernley, and Silver Springs. This program helps to train youth to raise their animal, using best practices in animal husbandry and care. Additionally, youth learn about their role in food production and talking to the public about what they do and how they do it.

We hosted successful recruitment and outreach events in Dayton, Fernley, Silver Springs, Smith Valley, and Yerington to provide information about our 4-H programs, raise awareness about 4-H, while offering activities to youth in attendance.

Our annual awards for the county included one teen youth earning their Gold Star and increased participation in completing record books and earning annual awards.

Our county 4-H Community Based Instructor, Hillary Dashiell attended Facilitate the Awesome, a training that focused on working with teens and better developing their leadership roles. Additionally, she completed TAXI training about working and developing volunteers, as well as continuing to participate in other professional development opportunities.

Multiple clubs in our county performed community service including canned food drives, donations to food banks, Christmas Angel Tree gifts for needy families, and Christmas wreaths for Veteran’s headstones at a local cemetery.

We held three high quality Livestock Judging Clinics to prepare youth participating in a Livestock Judging competition in Fallon.

Central Lyon 4-H Club hosted a leadership retreat in Silver Springs at Silver Stage Middle School.

Three teens 4-H members traveled to compete in National Shooting Sports Competition. Also, one teen from Silver Springs was selected to be a National Shooting Sports Ambassador.

Three 4-H teens from our county were selected as Pollinator Ambassadors for Nevada. One teen is from Fernley and two are from Yerington.

Our 4-H Senior Livestock Skill-a-thon Team qualified to go Nationals. The team had 3 teens from Yerington and one from Gardenville.

Started a 4-H Youth Advisory Committee for the County.

4-H held another successful Lyon County Jr. Livestock Show open to all youth in our county who were eligible to participate. We increased the number of participants and livestock entered in the show.

Our 4-H program was awarded an NRA grant of merchandise and funds worth approximately $13,000. Which allowed increased participation in archery, rifles, and shotgun projects across our County.

Our 4-H program was awarded a $95,000 Nevada First-Gen micro grant award to implement 4-H youth programs in mental health, leadership, and entrepreneurship across our County.

Fernley Little Critters 4-H hosted their annual Rabbit and Cavy Show.

Increased participation in the Nevada 4-H Expo event in Fallon.

Lyon County 4-H Leaders’ Council hosted a Trail Trial for adults and youth. 4-H youth partnered with adults to judge the obstacles. The event was well received and was a successful fundraiser to provide college scholarships for our graduating 4-H Seniors, 4-H camp scholarships, and to fund other activities for 4-H in the County.

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 2022-2023

Lyon County Extension Expenses:

State -            156,909
Federal -           10,061
County -         172,263
Grants -            72,767
Gifts -                     998
Total                412,998

County Funds Summary:

Opening Balance -      386,117
Revenue -                      189,418
Expenses -                     172,263
Ending Balance -         403,272