Jennie Johnson

Extension Programming Site Coordinator - Main Station Field Lab

Office: (775) 336-0249
Email: johnsojl@unr.edu
Address: 4955 Energy Way, Reno, Nevada 89502
Representing: Washoe County
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Summary

The Main Station Field Lab, a major research and teaching facility for the University of Nevada, Reno, is a valuable, open green spaces in Reno. The property has more than 800 acres of prime farmland and serves as a research facility for agriculture, hydrology and meteorology-related needs of graduate students, researchers and faculty across the University. Acquired and developed in 1956, the Main Station is home to herds of cattle and sheep and now a dynamic outdoor learning and innovation space supporting Extension education across Northern Nevada.

As the Extension Programming Site Coordinator, Jennie is responsible for in developing, maintaining, and overseeing the MSFL Extension site and supporting Extension staff and programs there.

Education

University of Nevada, Reno (B.A.) Cultural Anthropology
Western Governors University (M.S.), Business Leadership & Management

Programs
Accomplishments
Publications

Programs

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that reduces pests to tolerable levels with lower costs for the pest manager or home gardener and minimal effect on the environment. The IPM program at University of Nevada, Reno Extension focuses on identification and public education with resources for the community including classes, Spanish language resources and a pest directory.

Pest Solutions

Low-risk garden pest and weed solutions for Nevada

Honors and Awards

2023 Silver Award Winner for National Service Member in Nevada for Nevada-Governor’s Points of Light Awards.

Accomplishments

Research & writing for legislation provision revisions related to water NV AB20 (BDR 40-227).

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Blog Posts
What Are Those Weird Bumps on My Fruit Tree? Understanding Kuno Scale Kuno scale is a common soft scale insect that often appears as small bumps on ornamental plum trees. This blog explains how to identify Kuno scale, understand its life cycle, recognize damage symptoms, and choose effective, timely management options. Andrews, M. 2026, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Blog
Should I Water my Trees in the Winter? Winter tree watering isn't complicated, but it is often something people forget about. Here we explain the why and how. Jensen, C. 2026, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
How to Identify Pests Using Your Phone When dealing with a pest problem, one of the first challenges is figuring out exactly what you’re up against. Many mobile apps and online tools allow you to take or upload a photo to get possible identifications. Jensen, C.; Johnson, J. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Blog
How to Search for Pests in Our Directory How to Search for Pests in Our Directory, you can use your web browser’s search function to find relevant information quickly. Jensen, C; Johnson, J. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Blog
Brochures
Protecting Pollinators/ Protegiendo a los Polinizadores Esta publicación bilingüe español e inglés, describe cómo proteger a los polinizadores durante la aplicación de plaguicidas. También describe a las abejas nativas y proporciona recursos adicionales para obtener información. Esta es una de una serie de 10 hojas informativas sobre el uso y la seguridad de los plaguicidas Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Fisher, J. and Schaerer, M.F. 2020, University of Nevada, Reno Extension Fact Sheet FS-20-10
Fact Sheets
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Hormiga Carpintera Las hormigas carpinteras son unas de las hormigas más grandes que existen en los Estados Unidos. Una colonia de hormigas carpinteras se compone por una reina y varios miles de hormigas obreras. Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-24-10
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Polilla Esfinge de Rayas Blancas Las polillas Esfinge de Rayas Blancas se alimentan del néctar de las plantas y no causan ningún daño. Además, es importante señalar que las polillas adultas son buenas polinizadoras de muchas de nuestras plantas. Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-25-08
Guía Para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de las Polillas del Tabaco y del Tomate Se pueden encontrar polillas del tabaco y polillas del tomate en áreas que abarcan desde el sur de Canadá hasta el Caribe. Estas especies se asemejan bastante y se comportan similarmente. Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-25-07
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Hormiga Cosechadora Hay 22 especies diferentes de hormigas cosechadoras en los Estados Unidos. El color de las hormigas cosechadoras varía desde el color negro hasta el café y el rojo, miden un tamaño promedio de 1/5 a 1/2 pulgada de largo. Viendo de cerca el cuerpo de una hormiga cosechadora se pueden observar dos nódulos entre el abdome Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Is this Pest Control Product Safe? How to pick the lowest risk product. How can you tell if a product is the safest choice? When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registers pesticides, they use the results of many scientific studies to assess pesticide toxicity Hefner, M.; Donaldson, S.; Kratsch, H.; Skelly, J 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Are You Sure You Have a Pest Problem? Causes of plant damage include too much water, too little water, salt or salty soil problems, too much sun, too little sun or other things that stress plants. Hefner, M.; Donaldson, S.; Kratsch, H.; Skelly, J. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Beat What’s Pestering Your Plants In Nevada, many plant problems are caused by things we do that stress plants. Hefner, M.; Donaldson, S.; Kratsch, H.; Skelly, J. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Feed Your Soil, Not Your Plants: A beautiful landscape starts with good soil. Fertilizers contain plant nutrients. When we add fertilizers to our soil, the nutrients are held on organic matter particles. The organic particles act like a pantry, holding on to the nutrients that plants use for growth. Hefner, M.; Donaldson, S.; Kratsch, H.; Skelly, J. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Fighting Weeds in Your Lawn: A healthy lawn has fewer weeds. The best defense against lawn weeds is a healthy lawn. Healthy lawns are thick, have deep roots and enough resilience to handle summer heat. Hefner, M.; Donaldson, S.; Kratsch, H.; Skelly, J. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Keep Your Lawn Green; Mow, water and aerate. A healthy lawn is better able to resist weeds, insects and other stresses. Follow these lawn care practices to improve the look and health of your lawn. Hefner, M.; Donaldson, S.; Kratsch, H.; Skelly, J. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
What is That Brown Spot in My Lawn? Many things can cause brown spots in lawns. Don’t assume it is an insect or disease until you consider these common causes. Hefner, M.; Donaldson, S.; Kratsch, H.; Skelly, J. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Lower-Risk Insect Control Products How do you choose a method to control the pest? How do you protect the beneficial insects (good bugs) present in your landscape? Hefner, M.; Donaldson, S.; Kratsch, H.; Skelly,, J. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Not All Bugs Are Bad Beneficial insects are important tools for managing insect pests in your yard. Almost every insect pest has one or more natural enemies that reduce its population. Kratsch, H., Donaldson, S.,Hefner, M., Skelly, J. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-12-24
What to Know Before Using a Pesticide A pesticide is a substance that destroys, prevents or repels a pest. There are many types of pesticides. S. Donaldson; H. Kratsch 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-12-31