Nevada producers face unique risks from extreme temperatures and short growing seasons; most fresh vegetables are imported, creating a pressing need for season extension technologies such as high tunnels. A 2024 Extension needs assessment identified gaps in growers’ understanding of high tunnel risk mitigating technology and management, including a lack of knowledge and skills in irrigation, soil management, crop rotation, pest control, and that generally, novices often do not know where to start. The Nevada High Tunnel Project (NHTP) combined classroom instruction with on-farm demonstrations to build capacity and reduce financial, environmental, and production risks. The NHTP workshop brought together 35 in-person and 18 online participants for presentations by two federal-agency experts, Extension educators, and two local growers. This was followed by on-farm, hands-on demonstrations at two working high tunnel farms. Post-workshop evaluations indicated an increase in participant know-how in eleven topics, with notable improvement in grant acquisition, high tunnel maintenance, and soil and crop rotation management. Over 90% were satisfied with all workshop components, and over 80% intend to apply or continue with risk-reducing practices discussed, including irrigation scheduling, soil management, integrated pest management, and post-harvest practices, etc. Attendees appreciated the value of hands-on farm tours and participant-led discussions in an inclusive, real-world context. This presentation will show how pairing needs-driven instruction with experiential learning empowers producers to adopt risk management strategies like high tunnels, the outreach methods used to gain high participation with positive outcomes, our lessons learned, and recommendations. This model is adaptable for educators from other regions.

Nevada producers face unique risks from extreme temperatures and short growing seasons; most fresh vegetables are imported, creating a pressing need for season extension technologies such as high tunnels. A 2024 Extension needs assessment identified gaps in growers’ understanding of high tunnel risk mitigating technology and management, including a lack of knowledge and skills in irrigation, soil management, crop rotation, pest control, and that generally, novices often do not know where to start. The Nevada High Tunnel Project (NHTP) combined classroom instruction with on-farm demonstrations to build capacity and reduce financial, environmental, and production risks. The NHTP workshop brought together 35 in-person and 18 online participants for presentations by two federal-agency experts, Extension educators, and two local growers. This was followed by on-farm, hands-on demonstrations at two working high tunnel farms. Post-workshop evaluations indicated an increase in participant know-how in eleven topics, with notable improvement in grant acquisition, high tunnel maintenance, and soil and crop rotation management. Over 90% were satisfied with all workshop components, and over 80% intend to apply or continue with risk-reducing practices discussed, including irrigation scheduling, soil management, integrated pest management, and post-harvest practices, etc. Attendees appreciated the value of hands-on farm tours and participant-led discussions in an inclusive, real-world context. This presentation will show how pairing needs-driven instruction with experiential learning empowers producers to adopt risk management strategies like high tunnels, the outreach methods used to gain high participation with positive outcomes, our lessons learned, and recommendations. This model is adaptable for educators from other regions.