Desert Farming Initiative

27/05/2025

12/05/2025

Event Announcement 🎉

We’re excited to invite you to the Farm Hack Workshop a casual, creative gathering for anyone interested in organic farming innovation and old-school know-how.
 
📅 Date: Saturday, May 17
🕤 Time: 9:30 AM – Noon
📍 Location: DFI Washhouse (Desert Farming Initiative, UNR)

This event is open to everyone, whether or not you have a hack to share! It’s a great chance to connect with fellow growers before the season begins. We hope to see you there for a great morning of sharing and learning together!

RSVP on the Nevada Farm Network
or reach out directly to Rob Holley at [email protected]

Create Nevada Farm Network Profile Here: https://naes.unr.edu/farm-network/online-network.aspx
 

09/05/2025

Grafted tomatoes are growing strong! 🍅🌱

As part of our Small Farms Resiliency Strategies, we’re grafting cash crops like tomatoes onto drought-tolerant rootstocks—boosting resilience in Nevada’s challenging climate. This technique has led to a 50% increase in yield this season!

Huge thanks to Dr. Felipe Barrios-Masias and his team for their expert guidance throughout the grafting process 🙌 And a special shoutout to Vanessa, our amazing AmeriCorps service member, for all her hard work!
We’re also cheering on the Holley Family Farm , who planted over 1,000 grafted tomato plants this spring! 🌿💪

Learn more about DFI Small Farm Resiliency Strategies Here: https://naes.unr.edu/dfi/small-farm-resiliency.aspx

05/05/2025

Event Announcement 🎉

Join us on May 30th to explore, learn, see,and do at the Nevada Field Day and Ag Expo🌱🌾

At Nevada Field Day & Ag Expo, the University will bring a variety of its research and work done throughout the state to its Valley Road Field Lab and Greenhouse Complex in Reno, where visitors will be treated to hands-on activities, wine tasting, a farm stand, a plant sale, demonstrations, giveaways, and tours and exhibits featuring University research.

📍 1000 Valley Road, Reno,NV.
📅 May 30th
⏰ 2:00-6:00pm
FREE admission & Open to all ages

For more information: https://naes.unr.edu/fieldday/default.aspx?utm_source=field-day-2025&utm_medium=cabnr-print&utm_campaign=public-event

01/05/2025

University of Nevada, Reno programs offer locally grown plants to support local horticulture programs

30/04/2025

In honor of National Apprenticeship Day🌱

We’d like to introduce you to our two Farm Apprentices here a DFI, Jesse Vasquez and Monica Hanley.
The Nevada Farm Apprenticeship Program is committed to supporting aspiring farmers, recognizing that their success is essential for the long-term viability of Nevada’s agricultural industry and resiliency of the State’s food system.The Program prepares participants to become farm owners/operators in Nevada. Through their engagement, apprentices gain the knowledge, contacts, and experience necessary for outdoor fruit and vegetable farming at the small farm scale.

30/04/2025

Event Announcement!
Our Food Sovereignty Program is hosting an edible plant walk Saturday, May 17th, 2025 from 9am to noon at the Hunter Creek trailhead.

Join our Food Sovereignty staff in partnership with the Nevada Urban Indians and Trash Panda Permaculture to learn about edible plants on Northern Nevada trails.

Use the link in our bio to register for the event.

27/04/2025

Collaborative efforts aim to help state’s agricultural industry thrive with today’s challenges

10/04/2025

This Giving Day stand behind Nevada's next generation of fruit and vegetable growers. Every gift — big or small — makes a difference. Give now at https://bit.ly/3E6BRow.

| | | | | College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources

10/04/2025

It’s Giving Day!!! 🌱💙🤍🐺

Located at our Experiment Station's Valley Road Field Lab just minutes from campus, our Desert Farming Initiative is focused on supporting small-farm resiliency through training and science-based practices suited to our region.

Through this initiative, we serve Nevada farmers with focused agricultural industry programs and provide practical on-farm learning opportunities for University students.

We:

-Support crop research
-Address regional food security challenges
-Host a Nevada Farm Apprenticeship Program
-Help farmers transition to become certified organic
-Produce plants for farms, gardens and nurseries
-Provide food safety resources for growers
-And more!

Your Giving Day: The Wolf Pack Way donation to our Desert Farming Initiative will directly impact the resiliency of our state’s food systems and ensure that we continue to train the next generation of farmers.

Give today: https://bit.ly/3E6BRow.

| | | | University of Nevada, Reno | Nevada Alumni & Friends | Desert Farming Initiative

09/04/2025

Located at our Experiment Station's Valley Road Field Lab just minutes from campus, our Desert Farming Initiative is focused on supporting small-farm resiliency through training and science-based practices suited to our region.

Through this initiative, we serve Nevada farmers with focused agricultural industry programs and provide practical on-farm learning opportunities for University students.

We:

-Support crop research
-Address regional food security challenges
-Host a Nevada Farm Apprenticeship Program
-Help farmers transition to become certified organic
-Produce plants for farms, gardens and nurseries
-Provide food safety resources for growers
-And more!

Your Giving Day: The Wolf Pack Way donation to our Desert Farming Initiative will directly impact the resiliency of our state’s food systems and ensure that we continue to train the next generation of farmers.

Give today: https://bit.ly/3E6BRow.

| | | | University of Nevada, Reno | Nevada Alumni & Friends | Desert Farming Initiative

05/04/2025

🌱 Support Organic Integrity! 📝
We’re calling on USDA Secretary Rollins to prioritize a well-staffed National Organic Program (NOP) — the backbone of organic certification, trust, and growth.
Lawmakers need to see strong support across the board — that’s where YOU come in. Add your name to the sign-on letter by 1 PM EST, Monday, April 7.
📝 Sign Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfS8iRYgLmtNUCgg_abG_mbxljZN-vnOTXZz9iEQzLwvxiMEw/viewform Let’s protect the future of organic together! 💚