Dr. Felipe Barrios-Masias worked with the Desert Farming Initiative and local growers exploring technologies such as grafting and irrigation management that are important to small growers in such a dry valley. They discuss what they found, how much more opportunity there is for Nevada agriculture, and how Rob Holley cut his water use in his tomato tunnels by 50%

 
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (Western SARE), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2025, Nevada-Grown Specialty Crops: Diversifying Farms through Novel Management Techniques , Western SARE Youtube

Extension Associated Contacts

 

Also of Interest:

 
Can We Grow Cover Crops in Nevada? (Fact Sheet)
Cover crops can be and are grown in Nevada. Recognizing success requires a paradigm shift: viewing cover crops as a long-term investment in soil health, farm resilience and profitability, rather than just short-term yield. There is no “one-size-fits-all” mix tailor species and ma...
Gary McCuin, Juan K.Q. Solomon, Joeseph Frey 2025, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, FS-25-10
Challenges and Adaptation Strategies for Riesling Grape (Vitis vinifera L) Production in the Southwest Desert in the USA
Riesling, a traditionally cool-climate grape variety, faces increasing challenges when cultivated in the Desert Southwest region of the United States. This paper synthesizes potential strategies for adapting Riesling cultivation to desert environments under increasing climate var...
Naznin, M.T., Azad, M.O.K., Moe, J. 2025, Front. Plant Sci., 16 September, Sec. Plant Physiology, Volume 16 - 2025
Connor Billman leading a classroom full of 4-H'ers in an activity.
Graduate of the Pack: Connor Billman, International Agriculture Education Fellowship Program fellow
Empowering youth and elevating small-holder farmers through agricultural science
Andrews, A. 2021, Nevada Today
spool of hemp twine
Industrial Hemp White Paper Growing Hemp in the American Southwest
Publication provides horticultural, historical, and legal information on hemp; it is intended to educate the public and those interested in growing legal hemp in the American southwest. Proper growing practices, laws, fees, and hemp uses are discussed to provide readers with a so...
McGue, L., Lane, K., Robinson, M.L., McCoy, J., Morawska, M., Anderson, J., Lombard, K., Leas, L., Masson, R. and O'Callaghan, A.O. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Nevada State Crop and Resource-Use Needs Assessment: Stakeholder Perspectives on Crop, Resource Use, Pest and General Agricultural Needs
Needs Assessment special publication for the state of Nevada, on crops, resource use, pest control, and general agricultural needs.
Walia, M., Snider, K., Evans, W., Weigel, D. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-21-13