Nevada
University launches program to increase number of Nevada organic producers | University of Nevada, Reno
Consumers are increasingly seeking organic food, whether it’s at their local grocery store, corner café or favorite restaurant. As the demand for organic produce by consumers, grocery outlets and restaurants continue to rise, a new program will help guide Nevada producers through the process to become certified organic producers. The University of Nevada, Reno’s Desert Farming Initiative has launched the “Grow Organic Nevada” Program that will enlist the help of producers who are already certified organic to help mentor other producers seeking to become certified organic.
“You get a plan written and use it. It’s not as hard as people want to make it,” said Rob Holley, who owns and operates his own certified organic farm in Dayton, Nevada, and will coordinate the program. “The organic system plan requires recordkeeping, but it’s just a documented extension of what that farmer or rancher is already doing. They are farther along than they think. There’s a lot of resources out there, and then the mentors can help streamline that process for those who are interested.”
Holley’s family has been farming in Dayton for more than 50 years. When Holley decided to seek organic certification for Holley Family Farms in 2011, he said he worked very closely with a couple of other producers and the Nevada Department of Agriculture who helped them through the process. He says it’s been worth it.
“Since becoming organic in 2011, we’ve seen a continued increase in sales and demand for our product,” he said.
Indeed, organic has gone mainstream. According to the USDA, conventional grocery retailers have overtaken natural food stores as the most popular outlet for organic food, with 55.6% of sales in 2021. And, certified organic U.S. land for growing crops or livestock increased from 1.8 million acres in 2000 to 4.9 million acres in 2021. But, in Nevada, there are only 37 certified organic producers, and only 12 of those grow what we typically consider to be produce (vegetables, fruit, nuts, etc.), while 22 grow hay/grain/forage for livestock, and three raise livestock for meat production.
To encourage producers to take the plunge into organic, the new program is providing $500 to producers seeking to become certified organic and accepted into the program. Those seeking a mentor can request a mentor online.
To encourage producers who are already certified organic to serve as mentors, mentors receive $3,000 for 40 hours of service, providing one-on-one guidance through the process and sharing their organic farming expertise, as well as participating in regional organic-focused community events. Mentors can earn more for mentoring multiple transitioning producers and are also provided with supplemental training in interpersonal skills and organic practices. Those interested in becoming a mentor should have at least three years of direct experience managing organic production and certification, as well as a strong understanding of the process to become certified organic. Producers interested in mentoring, also apply to become a mentor online.
The funding stipends for producers and other program costs is being provided through grant funds of over $500,000 through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program, a network assembled by the USDA’s National Organic Program to support transitioning and organic producers with mentorship and resources. There are six designated regions for the program, and Nevada falls under the West/Southwest Region, which is led by the nonprofit California Certified Organic Farmers. The nonprofit organization has contracted the University to run the program in Nevada.
Jill Moe, director of the Desert Farming Initiative, which is a program of the University’s Experiment Station unit in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, said that when she learned of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program, she immediately saw it as a perfect fit for the Initiative and its goals to support local producers, advance climate-smart farming practices and promote food security in the state. She said that Holley, with his longtime farming experience and other professional experience, is also an excellent fit to lead the program.
“Rob is graduate of the University and has worked with us on projects as a successful producer for decades,” she said. “But, besides that, he has more than 30 years of management experience and professional positions working for state and local partner agencies with goals that align with the goals of our College.”
Holley has served as district manager at the Dayton Valley Conservation District, park ranger at the Nevada Division of State Parks, and forester in Elko at the Nevada Division of Forestry. He says he’s excited to get the new program off the ground.
“I’m already receiving requests to get involved, from both mentors and mentees,” he said. “But, I really want to reach out to those producers who are underserved or not necessarily already in the loop, and to the tribal communities as well,” he said. “There’s a pretty broad net to cast across our state, and I intend to reach both small and large producers, in every corner of our state.”
For more information on the Grow Organic Nevada Program, contact Holley at 775-784-6556.
Grow Organic Nevada is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program, which is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service National Organic Program.
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada is teaming up with a screen tourism app to help visitors find, and go to, the real-world locations behind famous movie and TV moments.
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Film Nevada announced a new partnership with SetJetters, an app that maps filming locations around the world and encourages users to visit them in person.
Film Nevada Director Kim Spurgeon says the app makes it easier for fans to “relive their favorite cinematic moments,” pointing to Nevada staples like The Shootist house in Carson City, Genoa’s main street featured in Misery, the Ocean’s Eleven closing scene at the Fountains of Bellagio, and the Hangover quote many visitors still repeat in Las Vegas: “Did Caesar live here?”
AMPLIFIED: New guidebook highlights hidden gems across Las Vegas for locals, visitors alike
So what changes for movie fans—and for Nevada tourism?
Through the SetJetters campaign, users will be able to discover more movie, TV, and video-game locations across Nevada, along with additional film-related points of interest. There’s also a new Las Vegas-area badge users can earn by visiting 12 select scenes, and the app allows people to submit filming locations they think should be included.
“Screen tourism is no longer a niche campaign idea; it’s a core travel channel,” said SetJetters CEO Erik Nachtrieb. “Nevada’s cinematic history, from mountain and desert backdrops to the neon of Las Vegas and Reno, makes it a natural stage for this next phase of bringing films to the state. The real opportunity now is conversion, and this is exactly where Film Nevada’s partnership with SetJetters comes in. What we’re really looking at is the evolution from destination marketing to destination storytelling with screen content at the center.”
You can download the app from Apple or Google.
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LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — State officials say they are ready to provide assistance to the 999 people laid off from Spirit Airlines.
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) said it will support former Spirit employees with reemployment services, retraining opportunities and more.
Impacted workers can also file for unemployment insurance at NUI.nv.gov.
“DETR is committed to supporting every Nevada worker affected by the Spirit Airlines layoffs,” department Director Christopher Sewell said in a statement. “Our team is ready to provide timely resources, guidance, and individualized assistance to help impacted employees navigate their next steps.”
Rapid Response is a free program that provides strategies for layoffs and plant closures. It quickly coordinates services and provides immediate support to employers and affected workers.
Employees can access no-cost career and training services through EmployNV. This includes career counseling and job-search assistance, skills assessments and re-skilling opportunities, and training grants for high-demand career fields.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo encouraged anyone who was laid off to use DETR’s resources.
“Our priority is getting folks back to work right away, and the state stands ready to assist with no-cost employment services to help with the transition,” Lombardo said in a statement.
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Spirit ceased operations on May 2 after failing to secure a government bailout. The company notified Nevada DETR that it was laying off 999 employees based at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas as a result.
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A case out of Southern California is raising new concerns for parents across Nevada as high-powered electric motorcycles grow in popularity.
In the California case, a mother is facing criminal charges after prosecutors said her 14-year-old son hit and killed an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran with an e-motorcycle. She is now charged with involuntary manslaughter after law enforcement reportedly warned her about her son using the device a year ago.
Legal experts said similar consequences could apply in Nevada, depending on the circumstances.
“I think that warning is what’s triggering the criminal liability and this intention of involuntary manslaughter case,” Ray Johnson, a Nevada attorney and former FBI assistant special agent in charge, said. “In Nevada, you would have something similar, but it’s got to be around willful misconduct and delinquency. So, if a mom, the dad, the parent, or the guardian is willfully involved with not teaching them to do the right things, or it’s improper equipment, or they’re allowing them to do things, they could get a criminal charge.”
Across the Las Vegas Valley, electric motorcycles and other high-speed e-devices are becoming more common, especially among young riders. Law enforcement said some can reach speeds of 60 miles per hour, raising safety concerns when used by minors.
Under Nevada law, parents can be held financially responsible, up to $10,000, for damages caused by a minor’s willful misconduct, which results in any injury or death to another person or injury to the private property of another or to public property.
In some cases, parents could also face criminal consequences if they knowingly allow a child to engage in illegal or unsafe behavior involving vehicles.
Officer Luis Vidal with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said those situations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with investigators looking at the circumstances.
“I think it’s very important for parents to understand that when the police department investigates anything that is something that we look at.”
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office would formally file charges in a case. News 3 has reached out to the office and is waiting for a response regarding what prosecutors would consider in a case involving a minor and an e-motorcycle.
North Las Police shared with News 3, “The topic of potential parental liability related to incidents involving e-motorcycles or e-bikes is best addressed by the City Attorney’s Office, as it involves legal interpretation and potential charging considerations.
Additionally, the City of North Las Vegas does not currently have a finalized version of specific e-bike or e-motorcycle ordinances in place. As such, any enforcement or liability would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis under existing laws.”
As these devices continue to surge in popularity, authorities said awareness and supervision are key to preventing serious accidents and potential legal consequences.
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