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Kim Lamb/LVN file photo University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Soil Specialist Jay Davison displays teff grains produced on the farm of Mario Peraldo of Fallon in 2004. Peraldo will speak at the first Nevada Agricultural Summit.
The first Nevada Agricultural Summit will be held in Fallon Dec. 1 and 2 with a goal of educating area producers about what steps can be taken to sustain and promote the state's agricultural community.
The event is geared toward Nevada meat producers, dairymen, crop farmers and end users like consumers and commercial buyers.
Juliette Taylor, executive director of the Churchill Economic Development Authority, said there is a lack of visibility in getting Nevada products into regional stores and casinos. She said the goal is to make regional products more available, exclusive and desirable for consumers.
The event is geared toward Nevada meat producers, dairymen, crop farmers and end users like consumers and commercial buyers.
Juliette Taylor, executive director of the Churchill Economic Development Authority, said there is a lack of visibility in getting Nevada products into regional stores and casinos. She said the goal is to make regional products more available, exclusive and desirable for consumers.
The summit will begin on Dec. 1 with an overall perspective of the Nevada agricultural industry with speakers from all levels of government, the University of Nevada, Reno, the state and the Nevada Association of Counties.
"We're going to look at where we are, where we're going and how to get there," Taylor said.
A short session will discuss tools to help producers sustain their industry in the future. Taylor said discussions will include what grants are available to help producers get more value from their products, transfer of development rights and conservation easements and how to increase and support local producers.
"It's important to the community to protect our ag environment and keep our open spaces to prevent urban sprawl," Taylor said.
"We're going to look at where we are, where we're going and how to get there," Taylor said.
A short session will discuss tools to help producers sustain their industry in the future. Taylor said discussions will include what grants are available to help producers get more value from their products, transfer of development rights and conservation easements and how to increase and support local producers.
"It's important to the community to protect our ag environment and keep our open spaces to prevent urban sprawl," Taylor said.
The last morning session consists of several speakers who will discuss how to bring local products to market. Topics will include the organic certification process, the Made in Nevada program, participation in farmers markets, the Local Foods Systems Network and the NevadaGrown program, which is housed at CEDA in Fallon.
The keynote speaker, J'Amy Owens, who is the CEO of Prescott Frost Organic Grass Pastured Meat company, will speak during the luncheon. According to a press release from CEDA, Owens is a retail branding expert.
"It's time we put the culture back in agriculture by creating environmentally and economically sustainable practices. This requires marketing with a brand which is enlightened and inclusive, that represents the shift from commodity to a desired luxury," states Owens.
The afternoon sessions kick off with discussions on renewable energy and bio-fuels, and speakers touching on growing native seeds and producing and marketing Nevada meat. Kyndra Curtis from the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources at UNR will give the results of the university's study on the feasibility of an area USDA slaughterhouse.
The keynote speaker, J'Amy Owens, who is the CEO of Prescott Frost Organic Grass Pastured Meat company, will speak during the luncheon. According to a press release from CEDA, Owens is a retail branding expert.
"It's time we put the culture back in agriculture by creating environmentally and economically sustainable practices. This requires marketing with a brand which is enlightened and inclusive, that represents the shift from commodity to a desired luxury," states Owens.
The afternoon sessions kick off with discussions on renewable energy and bio-fuels, and speakers touching on growing native seeds and producing and marketing Nevada meat. Kyndra Curtis from the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources at UNR will give the results of the university's study on the feasibility of an area USDA slaughterhouse.
The afternoon wraps up with several Nevada success stories, including Fallon farmers Mario Peraldo, who grows an African grass called teff, and Colby Frey, who manages Churchill Vineyards, a local winery. There will be a networking reception and dinner held Friday evening.
The summit concludes on Saturday with a working group discussing, "Where do we go from here?" Attendees will be invited to tour the Great Basin Plant Materials Center followed by a "field to plate" lunch.
Taylor said the summit has room for 100 attendees, with 45 spots already filled. The cost is $75, which includes lunch and dinner the first day and breakfast and lunch the second day. Taylor said the meals will include Nevada-produced meats and locally grown produce. To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Juliette Taylor at CEDA at 423-8587 or e-mail her at jtaylor@ceda-nv.org.
The summit concludes on Saturday with a working group discussing, "Where do we go from here?" Attendees will be invited to tour the Great Basin Plant Materials Center followed by a "field to plate" lunch.
Taylor said the summit has room for 100 attendees, with 45 spots already filled. The cost is $75, which includes lunch and dinner the first day and breakfast and lunch the second day. Taylor said the meals will include Nevada-produced meats and locally grown produce. To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Juliette Taylor at CEDA at 423-8587 or e-mail her at jtaylor@ceda-nv.org.
