Desert Farming Initiative

As we close out Organic Month, we’re excited to recognize Rob Holley, our Grow Organic Nevada coordinator!

Rob brings years of hands-on experience and knowledge as an organic farmer through his own operation, Holley Family Farms, to his work supporting Nevada farmers.

Since 2025, Grow Organic Nevada Program has helped six farms connect with organic farmer mentors to work toward certification, provided one-on-one technical assistance and hosted meaningful events to support small farms across Nevada. Rob has played an important role in each of these efforts, using his experience as an organic farmer to help producers navigate the certification process, find resources and build connections.

He also helped develop and organize the first Nevada Farmers Forum earlier this year, which brought farmers, agricultural professionals, researchers and industry partners together to learn, share experiences, and build connections. From helping bring speakers and topics together to creating opportunities for farmers to connect with one another, Rob helped make the Forum a space where Nevada’s agricultural community can come together and learn from each other.

He also joins us for our Nevada Farm Network's bi-weekly Farm Talks and is always willing to share his knowledge, answer questions or simply take the time to have a conversation with a farmer.

Rob’s generosity, expertise and commitment to Nevada’s farming community have made him an invaluable part of DFI and Grow Organic Nevada. We’re grateful for everything he brings to this work and for the support he continues to provide to farmers across the state.

Thank you, Rob, and happy final day of Organic Month!

Learn more about DFI and Grow Organic Nevada: naes.unr.edu/dfi/program.aspx?ID=334

University of Nevada, Reno | College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources | | | | | | | | | |

What goes into the soil matters for crop health and food safety.

Soil amendments can provide important nutrients and benefits for crops, but how they are handled, stored and applied matters, especially when growing produce that is typically eaten raw.

Biological soil amendments such as manure, compost, fish emulsion and agricultural teas can require additional consideration when used in crop production. Simple practices, such as following product labels, using properly treated amendments, keeping records and preventing contact with the harvestable part of a crop, can help reduce food safety risks.

DFI’s Using Soil Amendments Safely resource provides practical tips for handling and applying biological soil amendments to help reduce risks to human health. Learn more about using soil amendments safely: naes.unr.edu/dfi/publication.aspx?PubID=3725

University of Nevada, Reno | College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources | | | | | | | | | |

Come join us tomorrow from 2-6 p.m. at 1000 Valley Road!!

Food safety starts on the farm.

Kale, chard and spinach are popular high-desert crops and are often eaten raw, making produce safety practices an important part of growing and handling these leafy greens.

For National Farm Safety & Health Week, we are highlighting the importance of produce safety and sharing practical guidance for growers. Use DFI’s Kale, Chard, Spinach and Produce Safety resource to review practices that can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness when growing these crops.

Read the resource and learn more about produce safety: naes.unr.edu/dfi/publication.aspx?PubID=3828

University of Nevada, Reno | College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources | | | | | | | | | |

It's National Farm Safety & Health Week!

A farm and food safety plan can help growers identify potential risks, document their practices and take steps to prevent contamination of fresh produce.

The Desert Farming Initiative's Food Safety Planning Questionnaire for Growers helps farms of all sizes document practices for preventing contamination and managing food safety risks. When completed, the questionnaire can serve as a farm food safety plan and provide a starting point for reviewing and strengthening food safety practices.

Food safety is a shared responsibility. Growers, food handlers, retailers and consumers all play a role in preventing foodborne illness and protecting the safety of the food we eat.

Use our Food Safety Planning Questionnaire to help develop or review your farm's food safety plan: naes.unr.edu/dfi/publication.aspx?PubID=3746

University of Nevada, Reno | College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources | | | | | | | | | |

Today is World Water Monitoring Day! 💧

At Desert Farming Initiative, Associate Professor Felipe Barrios-Masias is leading trials on water use and soil conditions to help us better understand how crops respond to irrigation.

For the past few years, water and soil monitoring systems have been used in various hoop houses at DFI to track soil moisture and other growing conditions throughout the season. The data that continues to be collected will help us better understand the water needs of crops and inform more efficient irrigation practices.

Explore other research being done at DFI: naes.unr.edu/dfi/research.aspx

University of Nevada, Reno | College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources | | | | | | | | |

Discover resources, training and connections designed to support Nevada farmers and ranchers at our Nevada Field Day & Ag Expo on Sept. 25!

Nevada growers and producers are invited to connect with our College and Extension experts, explore resources for their operations and meet others working in agriculture across the state.

Here’s what you can explore at Field Day:
• Farmer training: Talk with a current farm apprentice and two incubator farmers about their hands-on training experiences
• Animal agriculture: Learn about jobs in animal processing and see Extension’s Mobile Harvest Unit
• Organic production: Get assistance and resources for navigating organic certification
• Farmer connections: Learn about and join the Nevada Farm Network to connect with other farmers and ranchers
• Wildfire resources: Find information and resources to help with wildfire management
• Upcoming workshops: Get a schedule of upcoming agricultural workshops and training opportunities

Come connect with agricultural experts, meet fellow producers and discover resources that can help you build knowledge, strengthen your operation and stay connected to Nevada agriculture. Learn more: events.unr.edu/event/nevada-field-day

⏰ Friday, Sept. 25, 2 – 6 p.m.
📍 1000 Valley Road, Reno

Admission and parking are free. No pets, please.

University of Nevada, Reno | College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources | University of Nevada, Reno Extension | | | | | | | | | | | |

Raise a glass to Nevada-grown grapes at our Nevada Field Day & Ag Expo on Sept. 25!

Our Experiment Station’s Desert Farming Initiative partners with the Nevada Grape Growers & W**emakers to support Nevada’s growing w**e industry. This collaboration builds on more than 25 years of w**e grape trials at the University, bringing together research, grower experience and viticulture expertise from across the West.

Explore ongoing w**e grape research and what it takes to grow grapes in Nevada, then stop by the w**e tasting to sample Nevada w**es and learn more about the grapes behind the industry.

Come taste, learn and discover what’s growing in Nevada. W**e tasting is for guests 21 and older. Learn more: events.unr.edu/event/nevada-field-day

⏰ Friday, Sept. 25, 2–6 p.m.

📍 1000 Valley Road, Reno

Admission and parking are free. No pets, please.

University of Nevada, Reno | Desert Farming Initiative | | | | | | | | |

University of Nevada, Reno Extension invites you to register for two upcoming and in-person workshops this October:

Water and Irrigation Management Workshop for Nevada Producers
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Location: UNR Experiment Station, Valley Road
Morning session: Room KRC 104
Afternoon session: Experiment Station field demonstration and research sites

This workshop will cover irrigation scheduling, soil moisture monitoring, infrastructure improvements, salinity management, water policy, and hands-on field demonstrations. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Each registered participant will also receive a complimentary hard copy of SARE’s Building Soils for Better Crops.

Click the link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/water-and-irrigation-management-workshop-for-nevada-producers-tickets-1994898711748?aff=erelpanelorg

Certified Applicators Pesticide Safety Education Workshop – Fall 2026
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Pershing County Extension Office in Lovelock.

Topics will include integrated pest management, emerging insect pests, drone operations, and regulatory and licensing updates. Continuing Education Units will be available.

Click the link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/certified-applicators-pesticide-safety-fall-2026-workshop-lovelock-tickets-1996034398618