ΒιΆΉΣ³»­

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 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 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­. We offer programs in:

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

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Field Day provides hands-on activities and demonstrations

University experts showcase research, activities and programs at fall festival

Claudene Wharton

two women at field day giving a thumbs-upΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Field Day on Oct. 19 features education and fun for people of all ages. Photo by Robert Moore.

At ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Field Day on Oct. 19, visitors will be treated to a variety of free activities and giveaways, and even some tasty food samples, courtesy of the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ and its College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.

As part of this year’s activities, acclaimed local food advocate and will be performing a cooking demonstration at 11 a.m. with produce from the University’s and meat from the University’s . Jolly is a former winner of , and is currently a meat and seafood specialist with .

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Field Day features hands-on activities and information focusing on the latest advancements in agriculture, horticulture, nutrition, natural resources and the environment. It will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the University’s Main Station Field Lab, 5895 Clean Water Way in Reno, near the intersection of McCarran Boulevard and Mill Street. It is a collaborative project of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources; and its research and outreach units, the Experiment Station and ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Extension.

This year’s Field Day will feature over 45 booths and activities

For over 60 years, University students and faculty have used the Main Station Field Lab to provide education and research, not only on raising and processing healthy cattle, but also on a variety of other important issues, including controlling noxious weeds, developing alternative low-water-use crops, and preserving air and water quality.

 

Agriculture student recognized for time and effort spent promoting the beef industry

Elisabeth Watkins becomes San Joaquin-Stanislaus CattleWomen's youngest CowBelle of the year

Molly Watkins, San Joaquin-Stanislaus Cattlewomen

Elisabeth Watkins with award standing with previous three CowBellesElisabeth Watkins (third from the left) stands with the previous CowBelles. Left to right: Delores Henriques (2016), Cindy Enos (2018), Elisabeth Watkins and Bobbie Telles (2017). Photo by San Joaquin-Stanislaus CattleWomen.

The selected Elisabeth Watkins as the 2019 CowBelle of the year during their September meeting. She was given an engraved cowbell and a sterling silver pendant to celebrate her hard work. The award singles out an outstanding member who dedicates a significant amount of time and effort to promote the beef industry.

Watkins is a seven-year junior member of the San Joaquin-Stanislaus CattleWomen and is just 18 years old. Although she has never served as an officer, she has been on almost all of the committees. Watkins learned to appreciate food growing up on a sixth-generation family ranch and farm in Linden and acquired culinary skills through 4-H. She has a small herd of purebred Shorthorn cattle. She is also the winner of in 2015. She is now a freshman at the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ where she is studying agriculture.

As a CattleWoman, Watkins has taught students about agriculture, beef, cattle and how to cook with beef. She has traveled to San Francisco, Sacramento, Tulare, Oahu and all around San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties, engaging children and adults in conservation about where their food comes from. She was the California Ag in the Classroom Beef Recipe Winner with a trip-tip nacho recipe that she developed.

Watkins and 31 other 2019 CowBelles throughout California will gather for a recognition luncheon during the California CattleWomen’s State Convention in Reno, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ in early December.  There are about 1,800 CattleWomen in California and the San Joaquin-Stanislaus CattleWomen’s Unit has 48 members and is 67 years old.

As a CattleWoman, Watkins has taught students about agriculture, cattle and how to cook with beef.

She has traveled to San Francisco, Sacramento, Tulare, Oahu and all around San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties, engaging children and adults in conservation about where their food comes from.

 

Photo Gallery | Youth compete at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Extension brings back State Expo after hiatus

At the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo, held Oct. 3-6 at the Winnemucca Events Complex in Winnemucca, 179 youth showed and competed in several categories, including raising and showing various animals, communications, photography, food science and nutrition, robotics, computer science, and many more categories. According to organizers, this once-annual event in ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ has been sorely missed in its absence for several years.

To find out more about local 4-H activities and clubs, as well as National 4-H Week activities and the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo Competition, contact your county’s Extension office.

A 4-H student showing a pig

MattieRose J., from Humboldt County, shows her pig at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Dianna Walker.

A 4-H student in a wheelchair shooting an arrow

Lindsay C., from Douglas County, competes in archery at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Dianna Walker.

4-H students showing dogs

Kara H., from Carson City, shows her dog at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Dianna Walker.

4-H student holding a guinea pig

Amy B., from Lander County, shows her guinea pig at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Dianna Walker.

4-H student with a black rabbit

Ira D., from Humboldt County, shows his rabbit at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Dianna Walker.

4-H students working with colored flash cards

Siblings Julianna and Joey S., from Humboldt County, participate in a workshop on how to engage an audience at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Dianna Walker.

A quilted pillow and several sewing projects with award ribbons

4-H students competed in several craft and artisan goods competitions, including sewing, at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Dianna Walker.

A girl riding a horse jumping over a hurdle

Makayla L., from Humboldt County, competes with her horse at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Robert Moore.

A boy safely loading the barrel of a muzzleloader

Hudson J., from White Pine County, safely loads his muzzleloader as part of the shooting sports competition at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Dianna Walker.

Five 4-H girls showing their fashions

From left to right: Justine M., Ellie S., Emily H., Grace H. and Mesa J., all from Elko County, compete in the Fashion Revue at the 2019 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Expo in Winnemucca. Photo by Dianna Walker.

This once-annual event in ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ has been sorely missed

β€œIt’s a really big deal to be able to bring this back for the kids. Due to the generosity of several donors, along with much time and effort from dedicated staff and volunteers, we are able to bring back this annual event this year, and we hope to be able to keep it going every year from now on.” - Carrie Stark, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Program director

 

Natural resources specialist studies statistics to improve wildlife conservation

Researcher Perry Williams joins the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources

Hannah Alfaro

Perry WilliamsWilliams plans to continue research on wildlife management in ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ while teaching at University. Photo by Robert Moore.

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ welcomes Perry Williams as a new assistant professor in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.

Williams concentrates his research on statistical and mathematical methods for estimating population processes to improve wildlife management and conservation. He has received grants from the  and the  for his research on sea otters in southeast Alaska, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for research on common raven movement and habitat use.

Before he arrived at the University, he worked with wildlife in Alaska, studying various species and researching wildlife management conservation. He plans to perform similar research here at the University, as well as start investigating the wildlife conservation of sage grouse in ΒιΆΉΣ³»­, and waterfowl in the Suisun Marsh, California.

Williams uses statistics to improve wildlife management and conservation

β€œPerry Williams brings to the University a unique skill set in statistical and mathematical modeling as applied to the conservation of wildlife populations.” - Peter Weisburg, chair of the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science.

 

Tree walking series offered for season-specific identification

Extension series teaches sustainable horticulture to local professionals

Hannah Alfaro

People learning to identify trees in a parkAttendees should prepare to dress for all types of weather during the three tree walks. Photo by William Kositzky, Master Gardener volunteer.

To help arborists, landscapers and others hone their tree identification skills, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Extension is offering an Introduction to Tree ID: A Seasonal Guide. This series is tailored to teach about identification for specific seasons.

During this four-part series, will discuss the fundamentals of tree identification in a classroom setting for one hour, and Certified Arborist Rod Haulenbeek will then follow up with a two-hour fall tree ID walk. Two other tree ID walks will follow in winter and spring, each one including season-specific information. Attendees are encouraged to bring a clipboard, pen or pencil, walking shoes and bottles of water.

"Tree identification looks different in each season...

So we are offering a series with classes in fall, winter and spring for the novice green-industry professional.” - Jenn Fisher, Extension Commercial Horticulture Program Coordinator

Growing a stronger ΒιΆΉΣ³»­

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 the 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 ΒιΆΉΣ³»­'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.
students taking notes in the field
Engaging ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ communities Extension is engaged in ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 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.
parents with children

Want to help grow ΒιΆΉΣ³»­?

Consider making a contribution in support of classroom, lab or office space; graduate assistantships; student scholarships; or upgrades to the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ 4-H Camp. To learn more, please contact Mitch Klaich '02, director of development, at 775-682-6490.