Program Impacts
4-H & Youth Development
Over the 2024–2025 program year, guided by the Nevada 4-H Beyond Ready Initiative, the White Pine County District 4-H program emphasized preparing young people for life beyond high school—building skills in leadership, communication, critical thinking, and community involvement to help youth become confident, capable, and ready for their next steps in education, career, and life.
The program maintained a strong and visible presence throughout the community, connecting with local families and youth at events such as the Ely Renaissance Faire & Pumpkin Festival (serving 53 youth), the White Pine Chamber of Commerce’s “Trick or Treat the Street,” the David E. Norman School Carnival and David E. Norman STEAM Night at the Train Station.
Additionally, 4-H contributed to the annual Festival of Trees by decorating a tree with a creative sewing theme celebrating the artistry of textile projects. White Pine County District 4-H youth exhibited 119 static projects across multiple categories at the County Fair, showcasing creativity, craftsmanship, and skill development. During the 2024–2025 year, White Pine had 102 registered 4-H members.
Community-Based Instructor, Tess Lacroix and one additional adult chaperone, took three 4-H White Pine youth to the Ignite by 4-H National Conference in Washington, D.C. This premier four-day youth leadership event brings together more than a thousand teens from across the nation to explore STEM, agriscience, civic engagement, and healthy living through interactive workshops, team challenges, and networking opportunities. Participants engage with national leaders, industry professionals, and 4-H peers, gaining insight into career pathways and community leadership. The conference also includes visits to historical sites and opportunities for youth to connect their passions with real-world issues—helping them “find their spark” and return home inspired to lead and serve their communities.
The three youth from White Pine focused on the agriscience track. A generous donation from Cal-Ranch to the White Pine County District 4-H program helped cover the lodging and travel expenses.
Three new volunteers completed fingerprinting and background clearance, expanding the county’s network of trained leaders/volunteers to twelve individuals who guide and support 4-H programs.
The 2024–2025 program year included several key trainings and events that supported both youth development and volunteer leadership. In April, 4-H partnered with Eureka County to host a Shooting Sports Leader Training (April 5–6), designed to build leadership capacity and enhance the quality of local shooting sports programming.
On May 31, the program successfully hosted a Shooting Sports firearm safety meeting, with seven participants, reviving the previously dormant Shooting Sports Program. Participants learned the fundamentals of firearm safety, including proper handling, storage, range procedures, and the importance of responsibility and respect when using firearms.
In addition, one White Pine 4-H youth represented the county at the Almo Shooting Sports Camp, gaining valuable experience, building technical skills, and strengthening connections with other youth from across the region.
The White Pine County 4-H Horse Program was also successfully re-established this year after a period of inactivity. The club began with a Horse Safety Meeting on May 28, ensuring that the 14 participants were properly prepared for hands-on learning and project activities.
Two 4-H youth represented the program at the annual Easter Egg Hunt in Ely, arriving at Broadbent Park by helicopter in costume as the Easter Bunny and Chick. Their exciting entrance delighted families and young children, creating a memorable community moment and showcasing 4-H’s energy, creativity, and community spirit in a fun, visible way.
Through expanded programming, dedicated volunteer support, and strong community partnerships, the 2024–2025 program year strengthened White Pine County 4-H’s visibility and impact. Rooted in the Beyond Ready Initiative, the program continues to inspire youth to lead with confidence, learn by doing, and contribute meaningfully to the vitality of the White Pine community.
Radon Education and Outreach Summary
On August 6, 2024, Chris Kelly, Program Manager for the Nevada Radon Education Program at the University of Nevada, Reno, conducted comprehensive training for White Pine and Eureka County Extension staff. The session focused on understanding radon, the health risks associated with exposure, and effective strategies for educating the public about testing and mitigation.
To further engage the public, the White Pine County Extension Office hosted its first-ever Radon Visual Art Contest for residents ages 9 and older. The contest ran from November 18, 2024, through January 6, 2025, inviting participants to create original artwork illustrating topics such as what radon is, how it enters homes, its health impacts, and the importance of testing. The contest received an entrée in the 20 and older age category. The winning artwork was displayed at the White Pine County Extension Office. Through this initiative, the Extension Office promoted community creativity while increasing local awareness of radon safety and home testing.
In recognition of the importance of radon awareness, the White Pine County Board of Commissioners and Council of the City of Ely, Nevada, officially declared February 2025 as National Radon Action Month in Nevada. In March 2025, Chris Kelly conducted a town hall meeting for White Pine homeowners to learn about radon and ask any questions they had. 13 community members attended. The following day, Chris conducted a 3-hour radon continuing education class licensed through the Nevada Real Estate Division for White Pine and Eureka realtors.
Efforts such as the art contest and community town halls to raise radon awareness have led to a significant increase in radon testing. Thirty-two radon tests were submitted for testing during the reporting period. Sixteen of the results were above 4 pCi/L, which is above 2.7 pCi/L, where action such as mitigation is required. This result underscores the ongoing need for continued education and testing to ensure all homes remain safe and radon-free. Through these combined efforts, the White Pine County Extension Office continues to advance its mission of fostering healthy, informed communities through proactive education and outreach.
Living with Fire
The Living With Fire Program, developed by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, provides research-based education to help Nevadans live more safely in wildfire-prone environments. On June 26, 2025, Megan Kay with UNR Extension’s Living With Fire Program hosted a Wildfire Readiness community talk at the White Pine County Library. Twenty-five residents were in attendance. The event focused on helping residents understand wildfire risks, reducing hazards around their homes, and taking practical steps toward creating fire-adapted communities. Staff from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also participated, providing valuable insight into local wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts. During the event, residents received wildfire preparedness materials, including Home Hardening and Defensible Space booklets, Evacuation Checklists, and Ember Aware publications. This collaborative outreach effort helped empower residents with the knowledge and tools needed to protect their homes and communities from wildfire threats.
Elected Official Training
Brad Johnson, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, visited Ely, NV, in February 2025 to meet with county and city officials. Dr. Johnson discussed the nuances of local government in Nevada, including legal context, ethics, and open meeting law. The half-day session was attended by around 20 participants from White Pine, Eureka, and Elko Counties, who engaged in collaborative discussions about how these topics applied to their counties or cities.
Dementia Engagement, Education & Research Program (DEER)
Casey Venturini, the assistant director of DEER, hosted a presentation at the White Pine Senior Center in April 2025. Casey covered an overview of dementia, some signs and symptoms, ways to reduce risk, approaches to care and support, available resources for people living with dementia, care partners and opportunities to connect with the Dementia Friendly Nevada initiative. 20 community members were in attendance.
Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP) - Foundational Public Health Services
done in partnership with NACO. We created a baseline collection of public health services throughout the 15 rural counties in Nevada. Most of the in-person work was completed before the start of the previous fiscal year, though we conducted the in-person workshops for Esmeralda, White Pine, and Lincoln Counties in July of 2024. The report was not completed/published until November of 2024. This analysis was completed as no substantial collection of baseline public health data was available previously. This data could be used to do ROI and other economic analyses of further public health expansion and development. Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP) -Nevada State Parks
We have continued our partnership with the Nevada Division of State Parks throughout the year. No new publications have been published; however, we’ve collected nearly 8,000 responses to our surveys since the start of recruitment. Counties with State Parks in the Northern Arewa include Douglas, Elko, Lyon, Nye, Pershing, Washoe, and White Pine.
Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP) – Rural Housing
Through NEAP —a program of the University of Nevada, Reno Extension—two comprehensive reports were completed this year: an Affordability Analysis and a Community Data Profile. In addition, four supporting infographic sheets were developed, focusing on Demographics and Economic Characteristics, Housing Supply, Housing Demand, and Housing Affordability. The housing component of the project provides a detailed study of community trends, examining population demographics, housing supply and demand, and overall affordability. Drawing on data from the U.S. Census and local sources, this analysis offers valuable insights to guide community planning, policy development, and future growth discussions.
Healthy Living While Aging
The Healthy Living While Aging Program, offered through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, provides research-based information and practical resources to support the health and well-being of older adults across Nevada. The program promotes topics such as nutrition, physical activity, mental wellness, and overall healthy aging through newsletters, educational materials, and community outreach. In White Pine County, Extension staff help share these resources by distributing the Healthy Living While Aging newsletter at the White Pine Senior Center, ensuring local seniors have access to timely and relevant health messages that encourage positive lifestyle habits. In March 2025, the program’s “Release Your Worries for Sleep” kits were also shared with seniors at the center. Each kit included a printed tip sheet explaining the benefits of writing down worries before bedtime, a small notebook, a pen, and a traditional Guatemalan worry doll. The materials highlight how releasing worries can improve sleep quality—an essential component of overall health that affects the heart, brain, immune system, and mood. This collaboration continues to strengthen Extension’s connection with the senior community, providing meaningful, research-based tools that promote lifelong health and wellness.
Cattleman’s Update
For more than 40 years, the University has hosted Cattlemen’s Update sessions across Nevada each January, providing ranchers with the latest research and insights to support informed decision-making and the long-term success of Nevada’s cattle industry. On January 15, 2025, the Cattlemen’s Update was held at the Bristlecone Convention Center in Ely, bringing together producers, industry professionals, and university experts for a day of research-based education and discussion. The sessions were moderated by Dr. Barry Perryman, researcher, professor, and chair of the University of Nevada, Reno College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources’ Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences. Presenters from the College, Extension, and the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station shared timely information on topics impacting ranching efficiency, productivity, profitability, and sustainability.
Southwest Regional Food Business Center
Through the Southwest Regional Food Business Center, one White Pine County food or farm business received technical assistance during the 2024–2025 program year. Support included guidance in financial management, marketing strategies, business planning, and navigating startup and grant opportunities.
This initiative—led by UNR Extension—helps strengthen rural food and agricultural enterprises by building business capacity, improving competitiveness, and supporting long-term sustainability within Nevada’s local food systems.
Fiscal Overview
