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.
The University of Nevada, Reno Extension office in Churchill County is currently home to six University of Nevada, Reno Extension employees. In June, a new position of County Coordinator was filled by Kristen Burr. Kristen will oversee and enhance the broad range of programs offered in Churchill County, Mineral County, and Pershing County. Karen Bogdanowicz is the Community Based Instructor that oversees the 4-H Programs offered in Churchill County. The Administrative Assistant Linda Brown retired this year. We thank her for her years of service and are in the process of hiring a new Administrative Assistant to be in the office and handle front desk inquiries. Additionally, we are home to three statewide Extension employees. Andrew Wasswa is the statewide Agriculture Educator. He will oversee education, outreach, and applied research in agricultural production and management. Tracy Shane is the statewide Livestock Educator. Her role is to oversee education, outreach, and applied research in livestock production and management. Rebecca Glocknitzer is the statewide 4-H Livestock Coordinator. She works with the state Livestock Educator and county 4-H Community Based Instructors to bring livestock education to the youth.
Health, Nutrition & Community Support
Public Health Survey
NEAP/Extension and NACO (Nevada Association of Counties) joined together to perform a baseline assessment of foundational public health services (FPHS). This included surveying data from Churchill, Eureka, Mineral, and Pershing counties. The information gathered was sent to a wide range of Public Health professionals.
Natural Resources
Water Test Kits
Safe drinking water is an important topic in our world. Extension partners with the Nevada State Public Health Lab to offer water test kits to the public. Staff help interpret water test results and provide factsheets about arsenic, manganese, iron and reverse osmosis systems when residents have questions. We have four types of water tests kits available: routine domestic ($100), presences of Coliform/E.Coli ($12), levels of arsenic or nitrate ($17). All fees are billed by the lab.
193 water test kits were provided in FY24.
Living With Fire
Wildfire can threaten Nevadan communities and impact homes, property and human life. The key to minimizing the wildfire impact in Nevada is proactive communities that take steps to prepare. In May 2024 the Living With Fire Program of University of Nevada, Reno Extension joined the Churchill County Library on two days to present interactive and educational activities geared towards youth, on getting ready for evacuation and making homes and communities more wildfire-ready.
Wood Cutting Permits and Christmas Tree Permits
We assist the Bureau of Land Management by providing wood cutting permits and Christmas tree tags for the public. This collaboration saves residents the drive to Carson City to obtain permits. Maps of cutting areas and the cutting restrictions are provided with each permit.
Permits for 187 Christmas trees and 63 cords of firewood were sold in FY24.
Horticulture & Master Gardeners
Counter Help
Residents come to the Extension office in Churchill County seeking information on their gardens, orchards, pastures and fields. We provide research-based answers to a variety of questions, or when needed refer them to an Extension specialist. During the FY24 staff helped to identify:
- 22 + Weeds and common control methods
- 20 + Common plant distresses and diseases
- 23 + Pests or the damage they have caused
- Gave 13 people information about soil testing
- Gave 50 + fact sheets and documents on various horticultural topics providing research-based information and guidance.
Master Gardener Volunteers
Two local volunteers from Extension’s Master Gardener program shared their gardening knowledge through the Extension office in Churchill County by offering 4 free classes to the public. Class topics covered: Cool Season Vegetables (8-10-23), Pruning Shrubs & Bushes, Houseplant Care Tips, Planting Trees & Shrubs.
Twenty-five local gardeners attended these classes.
During two April events, the Annual Soroptimist Home & Garden Show and the Annual Lahontan Conservation Tree Sale, Master Gardener volunteers provided information, fact-sheets, and labor promoting good horticultural habits, while inviting the public to learn more about the Master Gardener program.
Over 150 contacts were made during these two events.
Online Learning
University of Nevada, Reno Extension provides horticulture education classes in an online format. People from all areas of the state can participate and learn from the comfort of their home.
- Home Horticulture Certificate Program
- Master Gardeners of Nevada Program
- Grow Your Own, Nevada Program
4-H Youth Development
Our 39 volunteers continue to be the foundation of the Churchill County 4-H program. They volunteer numerous hours to better the lives of Churchill County youth. They do this by sharing their knowledge and passion for the various clubs with the youth that they lead. The goal they all share is helping the youth learn about reliability, loyalty, healthy lifestyle, leadership, and community service. These amazing leaders instruct 235 Churchill County 4-H members. Some of the members are in several clubs. These same leaders lead over 27 clubs here in Churchill County with a focus of “Making the Best Better.”
HealthRocks!
The 4-H continued working with the C.A.R.E. After School Program at the Cottage School. With a grant that the State 4-H Office received, Churchill County 4-H continued to team up with various other counties in Nevada to deliver a program titled Health Rocks! Inspired To Be Substance Free. We were able to deliver programming to 30 youth ages 5 to 14 years old. This program was well received as we taught healthy living in various aspects, such as avoiding stress in their life, have positive people around them, avoiding damaging substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, and vaping.
Through the power of youth/adult partnerships, Health Rocks! instills in youth participants confidence and communication skills necessary to make responsible decisions and develop the internal strength to resist risky behavior.
4-H Camp at Lake Tahoe
Churchill County 4-H was excited to be at the State 4-H camp at Lake Tahoe during the third week of July 2023. The camp theme was Wild Wild West. Campers decorated their cabins and participated in skits using the theme. Churchill County was represented by 20 campers, 10 teen camp counselors and 5 adult chaperones. The 4-H campers learned about living with fire, animal health, constructing rockets, teambuilding, where your food comes from, animal byproducts, and archery. Swimming each day in Lake Tahoe is always a favorite activity among all campers.
Cantaloupe Festival and County Fair
Once again Churchill County 4-H had a strong presence at the annual Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair held at the Rafter 3C Complex August 2023. 4-H members submitted multiple entries in the Fair to be judged and awarded ribbons. Some placed very high winning Reserve Champions and Grand Champions. The outside exhibit for 4-H, showcased many different species of livestock. There were several different breeds of chickens, rabbits, hogs, sheep, goats and beef. We also invited some Belgium horses from Churchill County to join our exhibit. As always, the animals were a huge hit with the estimated 18,000 festival goers over the three-day event. The public had the opportunity to ask questions about the various 4-H projects and 4-H members were able to share their knowledge. This is a great opportunity for our youth to gain confidence speaking and sharing the knowledge they have obtained through 4-H.
Nevada State 4-H Expo
In October 2023, Churchill County hosted the Nevada State 4-H Expo. This event was open to all 4-H members in the state of Nevada. We had exhibitors from every county in Nevada attend. Most of the Expo was held at the Rafter 3C Complex. We also partnered with the Fallon Trap Club to use their facilities as well as the Stillwater Firearms Range. We are grateful for their help and support. Churchill youth had a good showing and did very well. We had several Grand or Reserve Champions and all blue ribbons. A nice job done by our youth.
Livestock Judging Contest and Clinic
Churchill County 4-H hosted our second annual Livestock Judging contest and two-day clinic in February 2023. We partnered with Oasis FFA, Churchill FFA and Fernley FFA to hold this event. We had over 120 participants from all over northern Nevada. This event continues to grow year. Churchill 4-H did very well, winning many awards as well as team buckles. We look forward to our 2025 event January 10th & 11th.
Churchill County Jr. Livestock Show
April 27-29, 2023 the Churchill County Junior Livestock Show and Sale (CCJLS) was held in the Rafter 3C Arena.4-H had a strong showing with 71 exhibitors and several that were dual enrolled with FFA. Our youth did a very nice job of raising, fitting, and showing their projects. Thanks to the dedicated leaders that put in the time to help all. The exhibitors’ hard work paid off with many Grand and Reserve Champions in both the market and breeding shows.
As always, our amazing community members and businesses attended the sale and participated in the purchase of these projects. We are grateful for all the support our community shows 4-H.
Agriculture Programs Research & Education
University of Nevada, Reno Extension has a network of professionals that collaborate on research projects and educational programs to help agricultural producers sustain their way of life and their livelihood. The following projects and programs directly benefited Churchill County in FY24.
Nevada Small Agriculture Conference – Fallon
The Nevada Small Agriculture Conference was held March 13-15 at the 3C Event Complex, 227 Sheckler Road. According to Staci Emm, a University of Nevada, Reno Statewide Educator, smaller operations sometimes have a more difficult time marketing their products and networking since their base is rural, but this conference provides an opportunity for those with smaller operations to share information about available resources and meet with other industry professionals. Current and new farm owners, local food advocates, chefs, farmers market managers, FFA members and other agricultural stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
Similar to the Urban Agriculture Conference, this conference opened on Wednesday, March 13th with the regenerative or meat-processing track options, followed by lunch and the opening reception.
Thursday and Friday sessions were geared more toward small-production and rural producers, and feature presenters from the University, including its Extension and Experiment Station units and the Desert Farming Initiative, as well as many others sharing their agriculture and business expertise. An optional grow-local dinner was offered on Thursday evening to give event goers a taste of Fallon’s incredible and locally produced foods.
Extension’s Herds and Harvest Program hosted an in-person event at Western States Hemp and the Rambling River Ranch in Fallon on September 30. The workshop focused on principles of soil heath and regenerative agriculture practices and how they can improve farm and ranch sustainability. Presentations and introductions by Nevada Division of Environmental Protection-Bureau of Water Quality Planning featured the many agencies working to improve water quality of rivers and streams.
The Cattlemen’s Update was held in-person in Churchill County on January 10, at the Fallon Convention Center. This event is an annual educational program designed to provide cattle producers’ current information about important management practices and issues that may affect the efficiency, productivity, profitability, and sustainability of their businesses.
Fiscal Summary 2023-2024
Churchill County Expenses
- State: $120,167
- Federal: $5,825
- County- $90,571
- Grants- $54,197
- Gifts- $470
- Other- $92,631
Churchill Funds Summary
- Opening Balance- $91,811
- Revenue- $128,719
- Expenses- $107,579
- Ending Balance- $112,951
