Growing �鶹ӳ�� | Vol. 29 | College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources

In this edition

�鶹ӳ�� our College

A founding college of the University, we have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, research and engagement programs that benefit the health and economic vitality of �鶹ӳ��. We offer programs in:

agriculture, horticulture, rangeland & veterinary sciences
biochemistry & molecular biology
children, youth & families
community & economic development
health & nutrition
natural resources & environmental science

Subscribe to our newsletter

�鶹ӳ�� 4-H offering late summer and fall activities

Extension aims to keep youth engaged and learning despite COVID-19 restrictions

Claudene Wharton

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the �鶹ӳ�� 4-H Youth Development Program has developed a variety of activities to continue to engage 4-H youth throughout the state as the school year begins and fall draws near.

“People are accustomed to us kicking off various 4-H programs around the beginning of the traditional school year, and despite COVID-19, we are still getting a lot of inquiries about afterschool programs, as well as clubs and other 4-H activities,” explained Carrie Stark, �鶹ӳ�� 4-H Program director with Extension. “Our staff and volunteers are working incredibly hard to constantly build and adapt programs to serve our youth, as COVID-related restrictions are a bouncing ball, changing regularly.”

A number of statewide and local programs will be offered

The programs will be offered in person, virtually or as a hybrid of the two, depending on local restrictions and health conditions.

Thoughtful Thursdays Tune in every other Thursday for 5- to 10-minute videos by �鶹ӳ�� 4-H professionals on timely topics such as communicating feelings, financial management for youth, and civic engagement and service to community ideas.

True Leaders to Service Month �鶹ӳ�� 4‑H youth will pledge to give service to their communities during September. Their service is a way to keep active and engaged in positive activities, and to say “thank you.”

Virtual 4K for 4-H Camp Sept. 13-26, 4-H'ers and families will walk, hike, skip, run, bike or skate 2.5-miles to support the State 4-H Camp at South Lake Tahoe.

State 4-H Expo Expo exhibits, animal shows, communication demonstrations and speeches, shooting sports, and STEM challenges will culminate in an awards ceremony Oct. 17.

National 4-H Week For over 100 years, 4‑H has inspired families, shaped careers, developed leaders and impacted communities. �鶹ӳ�� 4-H youth, alumni and volunteers will celebrate Oct. 4-10.

Discover Your Future-Career Oct. 29 - Dec. 17, youth will learn about careers needed in �鶹ӳ��, such as architects, biologists, conservation officers, engineers, farmers and ranchers, firefighters, veterinarians, and more.

Growing leadership, citizenship and life skills

4-H is a community of young people across America. Members learn life skills, make new friends, enhance self-esteem, achieve personal goals, develop positive relationships with peers and volunteers, and have fun learning and sharing as a family and a club.

University reopens with safety in mind

Students and employees adapt to promote health and success during pandemic

Flexible learning opportunities

HyFlex learning maximizes safety, and provides in-person and remote learning experiences

Learn about HyFlex learning

Enhanced housing & dining options

Increased housing, dining and residential life measures balance safety and community

Safe student services access

New queue management system provides well-organized access to services

Skip the line

Authentic student experiences

Student clubs and organizations, and civic and community engagement activities foster the campus life experience

Get involved

Exciting events & activities

Campus activities and events are planned with everyone's health and safety in mind, and scale based on the latest guidelines from experts

Supporting students holistically

Our dedication to providing outstanding opportunities for students is stronger now than ever. From innovative instructors to enhanced housing and dining operations to student health, counseling and fitness centers, we’ve got student learning, health and wellness covered.

Learn about the Return of the Pack

Hives installed at demonstration orchard now producing honey

Hannah Alfaro

Honey being poured into jars The beehives hosted at the Center for Urban Water Conservation are producing fresh honey and educational opportunities. Photo by M.L. Robinson, Extension.

The Center for Urban Water Conservation, a collaborative demonstration orchard between Extension and University of �鶹ӳ��, Las Vegas, is creating a beekeeping program for the local community.

M.L. Robinson, an assistant professor and horticulture specialist with Extension, is overseeing the program and developing educational materials and resources.

The ultimate goal is to have training classes for anyone in the community interested in beekeeping. The program will teach participants the entire process of beekeeping, including setting up the hives, upkeep of the hives and bees, and harvesting. The Center has already used these hives to train veterinarians and assistants on working with bees, and volunteers are excited to extend that knowledge to the local community.

Expanding knowledge for �鶹ӳ��

"We want to make sure that those interested in beekeeping have the opportunity to learn this skill. This program is a great learning opportunity, and it’s always exciting to have fresh local honey on hand as well." -Associate Professor & Extension Specialist M.L. Robinson

Extension educator brings health and nutrition to Laughlin programs

Hayley Maio joins Extension to develop programs for youth and seniors

Hannah Alfaro

Extension Educator Hayley Maio plans to introduce health programs to Laughlin. Photo by Hayley Maio, Extension.

Extension is excited to welcome Hayley Maio to the office in southern Clark County - Laughlin as an Extension educator.

As an educator, Maio will be focusing on program development in Laughlin, including the development of health and nutrition programs for both Extension’s �鶹ӳ�� 4-H Youth Development Program and seniors in the community. Although COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily halted most of the in-person activities for these groups, Maio hopes to set up new programs that will be offered in the near future. Her goal, since accessibility to affordable and fresh food is limited for some in Laughlin, is to bring affordable and easily accessible healthy living, nutrition and exercise programs to the community’s youth and elderly.

“I love working with Extension because I want to make a positive impact with everyone I come in contact with, and I believe this is the best place to make that happen,” Maio said. “I want to make sure that, through the programs we’re offering, we can help individuals become the best versions of themselves.”

Expanding health and nutrition for �鶹ӳ��

"Hayley brings enthusiasm and excitement to southern Clark County, and we look forward to the expansion of programs she is developing." -Extension Southern Area Director Eric Killian

New endowment grows University agriculture research

Alpers Family Trust establishes research endowment to support student success, �鶹ӳ�� agriculture

Tim Alpers ’71. Photo courtesy of Tim Alpers.

Established by the Alpers Family Trust in March 2020, this endowment will provide support for our College.

Tim Alpers ’71 received his degree in agriculture, specializing in renewable natural resources. He also minored in business administration and was a member of the Wolf Pack freshmen basketball team in the 1966-67 season.

The strong educational foundation Tim received while attending the University helped him achieve his goals to develop a state-of-the-art wilderness trout farm in Mammoth Lakes, California; become an NCAA Division 1 college basketball coach; and serve as a local elected official for 14 years.

Through this endowment, Tim and his wife, Pam, want to help ensure as many students as possible have superior educational opportunities while maintaining agriculture’s vitality.

Building a legacy with the power to change lives

When you create an endowment, you build a permanent resource that makes a difference now and for generations to come.

Make a donation online

Growing a stronger �鶹ӳ��

Our programs work together to make an impact

Our teaching, research and engagement programs are intertwined and complement one another. Faculty who teach on campus also conduct research as part of our Experiment Station, allowing students to learn about and participate in research. Extension faculty engaging with communities identify research needs, as well as join Experiment Station faculty to conduct research. Faculty on campus help to develop Extension programs in communities.

Researching critical issues Experiment Station faculty conduct research at experiment stations, labs and research facilities across the state, as well as teach classes and share and conduct research with students. The state-federal partnership tackles issues affecting �鶹ӳ��'s citizens, communities and economy.

student researcher with plants in greenhouse

Teaching University students We offer 17 undergraduate and graduate degrees to prepare students for high-paying, in-demand careers in agriculture, rangeland & veterinary sciences; biochemistry & molecular biology; natural resources & environmental science; and nutrition.

Engaging �鶹ӳ�� communities Extension is engaged in �鶹ӳ�� communities, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs. The county-state-federal partnership provides practical education to people, businesses and communities, fulfilling the University's land-grant mission.

Want to help grow �鶹ӳ��?

Consider making a contribution in support of classroom, lab or office space; graduate assistantships; student scholarships; or upgrades to the �鶹ӳ�� 4-H Camp. To learn more, please contact Mitch Klaich '02, director of development, at 775-682-6490.

Make a donation online