agriculture

Thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent $3 billion purchase and distribution of agricultural products under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Nevada’s two regional food banks began distributing food from the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program this week.

Tucked away in the valleys of Dayton, a multi-generational ranch and farm has been quietly producing organic and sustainable agriculture for decades to the local community.

Holley Family Farms has been owned and operated since 1970, and bases their practices on the 19th century farming traditions of Dayton Valley, “where Italian immigrants produced vegetables and meat for the thousands of residents of the Virginia City Comstock,” according to the Holly Family Farms blog.

Grocery shopping and produce safety have been concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Desert Farming Initiative, part of the University of Nevada, Reno Experiment Station, provides information to help producers and consumers minimize food-safety risks.

RENO — With wildland fires eating up the forests and rangelands of Nevada each summer, and fire season now upon us, University of Nevada, Reno scientists are examining how drought, climate change and land management will affect future fire activity and how fires can in turn influence plant, soil and hydrologic processes.

The Nevada Supreme Court is the highest court in the Nevada Judicial system, and represents the third branch of government. There are two seats up for election: Seat B and Seat D.

RENO — During the COVID-19 crisis, small-business owners need additional support and guidance, as well as opportunities to talk with other small-business owners. University of Nevada, Reno Extension is offering virtual question-and-answer “Coping With COVID-19 Town Halls” for small businesses every Wednesday, and webinars on specific topics for small businesses every Friday.

The weather is warming up quickly across Nevada, making it a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. Fitness experts recognize how beneficial physical activity is to mental health, especially in light of the restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting outdoors is a great way to get active, synthesize vitamin D with controlled sun exposure, improve memory and concentration and promote a general sense of well being.

RENO — The forest of the Sierra Nevada mountains is an important resource for the surrounding communities in Nevada and California. Thinning the forest by removing trees by hand or using heavy machinery is one of the few tools available to manage forests.

Editor’s Note: This week's guest writer is Bridget Gordon-Johnson. She is a counselor at Carson High School. This is her report.

Staying connected to students, virtually, is the biggest challenge every educator is facing right now. Teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, administrators, school secretaries, custodians, and everyone for that matter is missing the energy and life students bring to our worlds.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture in late March announced it has set aside between 5% and 10% of funds in multiple ...

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — In alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for social distancing and to ensure health and safety of its employees, visitors and volunteers, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has temporarily closed national forest recreation sites and areas in the South Shore Recreation Corridor. The closures were effective as of Monday, April 13, 2020.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Monday unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even with the stay-at-home order in place, businesses, families and youth can engage in a number of educational activities online to enhance their daily lives and help themselves, and others, through these challenging days. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, University of Nevada, Reno Extension faculty, staff and volunteers have been hard at work to bring educational workshops, programs and resources useful during this time, into Nevadans’ homes.

Now that the filing period for political candidates is over it is time for voters to consider the qualifications and politics of the filed candidates. What sort of person do you want representing you in the various seats that are up for election this cycle?

Gov. Steve Sisolak has ordered — not asked — all nonessential businesses in the state to shut down and cease operations at midnight Friday as part of a monthlong closure to avoid further spread of the novel coronavirus.

But what exactly is an “essential” or “nonessential” business?

On Wednesday, the Nevada Health Response Center (NHRC) released the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Initiative listing of essential services and sectors and non-essential services and sectors. The release includes social distancing measure.

UPDATE: Carson City meal sites are expected to begin Tuesday, March 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Empire Elementary School, Mark Twain Elementary School, Seeliger Elementary School, and Carson High School.
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In light of Governor Sisolak’s announcement to close all K-12 schools in Nevada, the Nevada Department of Agriculture is implementing the first of a two-tier strategy to mitigate National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program interruptions.

CARSON CIY — After an extensive executive search, the Nevada Housing Coalition Board of Directors hired Christine (Bekes) Hess as the first executive director for the statewide nonprofit.

Clint Koble, a Democratic primary candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, will be the featured speaker at the next Democratic luncheon. Koble was also the CD2 Democratic candidate in 2018.

Capitol FFA traveled to North Valleys High School Feb. 1 in order to compete in the Northern FFA Zone Competition. CHS Agriculture Mechanics, Welding, and FFA Adviser and teacher Rebecca Glocknitzer said, "I know all of our students worked hard to prepare for Zone, and Mr. Mann and I are so proud of their efforts."

After all, compared to Washoe County's median sales price of $389,000 for an existing single-family home, the cost is $40,000 less in Carson City, ...

Carson City is at the center of a legal dispute following its refusal to allow hemp to be grown on property in the Buzzys Ranch area in East Carson City. Tahoe Hemp is suing for $15 million in damages citing the city broke its agreement with the Jarrard Family Trust, which gives rights to the family to use the property for agricultural purposes.

Happy Sunday, Carson City! Today we have a bunch of great events to round out this busy weekend! Check below to see what's going on!

Happy Saturday Carson City! There are a ton of great events in the region this weekend, it’ll be hard to choose which ones to attend! Music, food and fun await below. Check to see what’s happening for this weekend!

Saturday, January 25

Heading into the last weekend of January there’s a mountain of activities around the Carson City region over the next three days. Events include a Chinese New Year Celebration at the Nevada State Museum and the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada. The Carson Comedy Club hosts its first Military Appreciation Night on Friday at the Carson Nugget. Carson Valley’s 18th annual Eagles and AG Photo Contest will be underway and live music will keep the Silver State buzzing with excitement. Read on for more information.

Douglas County has multiple priority projects on the books right now, including education innovation, distinctive downtowns, becoming an aviation destinations and more, but one in particular has it’s roots set firmly in the Carson valley’s history of agriculture, and that is "Agrihoods."

County managers representing Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, Churchill and Mineral counties gathered Wednesday in Carson City as a part of Northern Nevada Development Authority's annual “State of the Counties” meeting.

CARSON CITY — Recently, the United States Department of Agriculture announced two proposed changes, and one final rule change, to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which serves more than 400,000 Nevadans.

Northern Nevada Development Authority has relocated its offices to downtown Carson City inside Adams Hub of Northern Nevada, 308 North Curry Street, Suite 101.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on Monday announced the appointment of Heidi Swank as the inaugural Administrator for NDCNR’s new Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation.