This agenda outlines the full program for the Roots 2 Results Southern Nevada Conference. Please see below to learn about the farm tour, general sessions, and our four custom tracks for the conference. For questions, please contact Kaley Chapin at kaleys@unr.edu.

Wednesday, February 25 — Farm Tour

Time Agenda
Morning – Afternoon

Departure Location:
Lifelong Learning Center
Clark County Extension Office (Paradise Location)

Tour Stops:

  • Anderson Dairy - Tentative
  • Las Vegas Livestock
  • Gilcrease Orchards and Lunch
  • Lighthouse Charities
  • Obodo Collective

 Return to Lifelong Learning Center (Paradise Location)

Thursday, February 26

Time Track 1
Ag Nutrition & Food Systems		 Track 2
Ag Production: Crops, Livestock & Innovation		 Track 3
Conservation & Sustainability		 Track 4
Profitability & Business
8:30 am Check-in & Light Breakfast
9–9:45 am General Session:
“Celebrating 20 years of riding the roller coaster of market gardening in Southern Nevada”
Laura and Monte Bledsoe, Quail Hollow Farm

Risk Management Education: Insurance Programs
Staci Emm & USDA Risk Management Agency Representative
10–10:45 am Food Security Research: Statewide Assessment on Funding for Food Security Programming
Guinn Center – Pierron Tackes (moderated by Kelli)		 Pigment Composition of Riesling Grape Cultivars Grown in Various Locations
Associate Professor Most Tahera Naznin, University of Nevada, Reno Extension		 Master Gardener Stations
Kaley Chapin with Lori Leas		 Personal Branding and Personal Branding for Agricultural Producers
Dianna H. Walker, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
11–12 pm Overview of Food Programs:
“Connecting local food in food programs, barriers and opportunities”
Assistant Professor Sabina Malik

Three Square: SNAP changes and resilient food systems
Nevada Department of Agriculture: Farm to School / Home Feeds Nevada / Senior Farmers Market Coupons
WIC: Hydroponic Pilot & Discontinuation of the Farmers Market Coupons		 Managing the Root Zone in Arid Systems: Science-Based Strategies for Nevada's Water Crisis
Dr. Azadeh Alizadeh, Assistant Professor, University of Nevada, Reno		 See Track 2 Farming the Public: A Comprehensive Look at Agritourism for Small Farms
Gilcrease Orchard – Mark Ruben
12–1 pm Lunch Provided
Tour of Botanic Garden with Lauren McGue
1–1:55 pm Food Hub
Assistant Professor Sabina Malik		 Poultry and Animal Husbandry
Sarah Stallard

Poultry State Meat Inspection		 Growing Soil in the Desert
Janelle & Kyle Wilcox, Green Table Farm

Building Soil in Southern Nevada		 Nevada Goes Global – WUSATA
Justin Riggs
2–2:45 pm Emergency Food System Planning 101
UNLV School of Public Health
Three Square
Sabina Malik		 Agriculture Innovation in the Desert
Mark Ruben, Gilcrease Orchard		 Tour of Botanic Garden
Lauren McGue		 Ag Taxes 101: What Producers Need to Know
Carol Bishop, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
3–3:45 pm Emergency Food System Planning 101 (Continued)
UNLV School of Public Health
Three Square
Assistant Professor Sabina Malik		 4-H Quality Assurance
Lacey Tom & Izzy Combs		 See Tracks 1, 2, or 4 Farm to Fork Fundamentals: Working with Local Producers and Chefs
(Chefs share local product needs and seasonal demand)
4–5 pm Networking

Friday, February 27

Time Track 1
Ag Nutrition & Food Systems		 Track 2
Ag Production		 Track 3
Conservation & Sustainability		 Track 4
Profitability & Business
8:30 am Check-in & Light Breakfast
9–9:45 am Overview of Food Programs:
“Connecting local food in food programs, barriers and opportunities”
University of Nevada, Reno Extension Nutrition Team		 Tailoring White LED Spectra with Red and Far-Red Light to Improve Lettuce Growth and Polyphenol Accumulation in Indoor Vertical Farming
Associate Professor Most Tahera Naznin, University of Nevada, Reno Extension		 Composting Fundamentals
Jerri Newcomb		 Cottage (Craft Food, Farm to Fork) Listening Session
Small Business Development Center, Nevada Farm Bureau, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
10–10:45 am The Youth Horticulture Education Program Presents: Learn, Grow, Eat & Go!
A Nutrition and Gardening Curriculum for Elementary Students
Nicolle Hansen, University of Nevada, Reno Extension		 Introduction to Integrated Pest Management (Integrated Pest Management)
Assistant Professor ML Robinson, University of Nevada, Reno Extension		 How Worms and Soil Biology Drive Plant Health in Southern Nevada
Dennis Wichter, Las Vegas Worm Farm		 Our Experiences with Various Revenue Streams
Laura & Monte Bledsoe
11–11:45 am General Session
Andrea McAdow, Rosebird Farms
12–1 pm Lunch
1–1:45 pm Arizona Food Hub Network
Shelby Thompson, Pinnacle Prevention		 Exploring Yellowhorn: A Drought-Tolerant Crop for the Desert Southwest
Assistant Professor ML Robinson		 Pollinators and Native Plants: Supporting Local Ecosystems
Hands-on workshop building a native beehive		 Farm Marketing and Workshop
Ashley Andrews
Small Business Development Center – Kelli Kelly
Grown in Nevada – Kelli Kelly
Shiva Kittusamy
2–2:45 pm Food Hub — Consumer Market Results: What Produce Are Nevadans Looking to Buy Butchery Basics: Cuts, Yield, and Market Expectations
Practical demonstration by a local butcher and restaurant owner		 Native Beehive Building: A Coalition Workshop
Hands-on session focused on building native beehives		 See Track 1
3–4 pm Closing Session

Questions?

Please contact Lead Coordinator Kaley Chapin.

Contact Kaley