is providing a certification program Jan. 22 – March 19 geared toward new or up-and-coming ranchers and farmers that will allow them to obtain a ΒιΆΉΣ³» Beginning Farmer & Rancher Level 1 Small Acreage and Farm to Fork Certification. The classes will take place 6 – 8 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 22 – March 19, with additional field trips touring small-acreage farms and ranches in Washoe and Douglas counties.
The program’s courses will be conducted via Zoom and will draw upon the knowledge and experience of established ΒιΆΉΣ³» agriculture producers and ΒιΆΉΣ³» experts. Participants who complete the course, attend a tour or one of the spring ΒιΆΉΣ³» agriculture conferences, and complete a business plan review will receive their Level 1 Certification. Course topics include:
- Jan. 22: An overview of small-acreage and farm-to-fork production, including identifying resources, understanding jurisdictions, developing a business plan and setting goals.
- Feb. 5: Soil health and livestock grazing, focusing on plant needs and how to determine the best plants for a given land space. This will include an overview of how plants grow, nutrients and day length requirements, and soil basics.
- Feb. 12: Value-added programs in ΒιΆΉΣ³» and where and how to market products, including farm stands, direct market sales, sale yards, using ΒιΆΉΣ³» Grown and social media. Participants will also learn how to develop a marketing plan.
- Feb. 19: Livestock production focuses on needs and requirements, including basics of livestock and poultry nutrition, feed management, reproduction and the Quality Assurance Program.
- Feb. 26: Meat quality, processing and training, including the characteristics of meat based on nutritional management and an overview of meat regulations in ΒιΆΉΣ³» and the statewide meat program.
- March 5: Understanding ΒιΆΉΣ³» water, focusing on the basics of water rights and water law in ΒιΆΉΣ³».
- March 12: Farm financial management in the 21st century, focusing on financially building a farm, building business skills and assets, estate planning, and balance and cash flow basics.
- March 19: Partners and funding, including an overview of opportunities and resources available to ΒιΆΉΣ³» producers.
- Field trip (dates to be determined): Field trips touring local farms and ranches in Washoe and Douglas counties will be available to participants, who can choose to attend either a tour or one of the to receive certification in the course.
The cost for the program is $60 per person, and registration can be completed . For more information, email Staci Emm, Extension professor, or call her at 775-312-0424; or email Kaley Chapin, Extension outreach specialist, or call her at 702-467-2668.
Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should email Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, or call him at 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.
The Extension Herds & Harvest Program combines a series of workshops on different topics and provides educational business management and mentoring skill building to support ΒιΆΉΣ³» agricultural producers. The project is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
