Washoe County

Serving our community, advancing the public good

Through education, research and outreach our University fulfills its land-grant mission to the betterment of humanity, the environment and, of course, Nevada

Mike Wolterbeek

The Morrill Act of 1862 was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln and provided for a land-grant institution in each state of the Union. Founded in 1874, our University was established as Nevada’s land-grant institution. Morrill Hall, constructed in 1885, originally housed the entire University.

"The land-grant mission for the University has never been more timely than right now," University President Brian Sandoval said. "With the pandemic, we are looking at an unprecedented event that has shaken the world and our country to their cores. Resources are limited as we re-set our economy and strive for societal justice.”

Simply put, land grant began as a way to bring higher education to everyday citizens through practical curriculum such as agriculture, mining and “mechanical arts.” It has evolved into a 21st-century approach to the land-grant mission, which encompasses the University’s goals to improve the lives of Nevadans through teaching, research and outreach.

The pavement Nevadans drive on, the affordable health clinics in rural Nevada, programs to inform and help farmers and ranchers, research that helps the mining industry, geothermal exploration for new energy in Nevada, nutrition programs for families, business economic development bringing industry and jobs to Nevada – all these programs and much more are all now part of the land-grant mission that brought the University to life 147 years ago.

Experiment Station projects serve Nevadans at facilities throughout state

Facilities provide opportunities for studies to help communities in Nevada, the U.S. and the world

Tiffany Kozsan

At the Experiment Station’s Great Basin Research & Extension Center, researchers are using a variable rate irrigation system to investigate sorghum’s response to different watering levels. The study is part of a larger project spanning two additional Experiment Station facilities. Photo by Gary McCuin.

At a ranch in Eureka, researchers are breeding a unique species of sheep well-adapted to the harsh Great Basin environment and that produces some of the finest wool in the nation. At the same time at a field in Fallon, researchers are using lasers and belowground radar to study how well sorghum grows with different levels of flood irrigation. And at a lab in Logandale, researchers just finished a study on how cactus pear can be grown as a commercial crop to fuel vehicles and feed both animals and people. These are just three of many projects happening at Experiment Station facilities across Nevada.

The Experiment Station is the research unit of our College. It maintains a network of field stations throughout the state, providing researchers different environments where they can experiment on a larger scale while supporting the needs of the nearby communities.

Extension offers trainings to help address state’s high suicide rates among youth

4-H Program to provide additional trainings in communities

Hannah Alfaro

The 4-H Youth Development Program trained faculty and staff on how to identify warning signs, and question, persuade and refer youth who may be at risk for suicide.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10 to 34 in the state. To help address this, Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program recently conducted a training for 15 faculty and staff members to teach them steps they can take to help prevent suicides, especially among Nevada’s youth.

The program will offer “train-the-trainer” sessions this summer, so that Extension staff will be able to provide the training for others.

“The more people in the community who understand what the warning signs and prevention techniques for suicide risk are, the lower the suicide rates in that community become," Carrie Stark, Nevada 4-H program director, said. "Extension can light a spark in communities to help provide mental health support for our youth, and save some lives.”

New pre-med biochemistry and molecular biology emphasis offered

New emphasis provides training for students pursuing professional medical school

Tiffany Kozsan

A new biochemistry and molecular biology emphasis prepares students to enter professional school for a medical career.

The University launched a new pre-med emphasis for undergraduates in biochemistry and molecular biology designed to prepare students to attend professional school, including medical, dental, pharmacy and optometry. The new emphasis is part of our College's bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. It is offered by our Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

On the lookout for baby food that does no harm

What we can do to ensure our babies get the most wholesome food

Aurora Buffington

Children, especially babies, are small and rapidly undergoing growth and development, which makes them especially vulnerable to the effects of heavy metal exposure. Internal documents from four of the seven major baby food manufacturers revealed that baby food containing heavy metals was allowed into the food supply.

I recently became an abuelita, which is the affectionate Spanish term used for grandmother, so I care greatly about what my sweet little twin grandbabies eat. Of course, being a dietitian and a public health professional also factor into my reasons for caring about our food supply, so one can only imagine my concern about a recently released Congressional report titled, Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury.

You may wonder how arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury make their way into baby food. A couple of possibilities include the raw ingredients used or the ingredients added by the baby food manufacturer. It is also important to recognize that heavy metal exposure isn't limited to what we eat or drink, it also includes environmental and occupational exposure.

The recommendations contained in the report call for changes to reduce exposure to toxic elements in food. In the meanwhile, what can we do to ensure our babies get the most wholesome food? We can make our own baby food and add variety to our babies' diets.