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Top 3 News Stories

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As Nevada farmers retire, few taking their place as number of farms continues to shrink

Nevada’s farmers are aging and its number of small farms is declining. The next generation needs to step up, say those in the industry.
11/27/2023

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How do you make wine in the Nevada desert? UNR and wineries unite to boost efforts

A newly formed partnership between winemakers, growers and UNR aims to bolster the industry in Nevada.
05/18/2022

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University-grown meat and produce now available to those in need through on-campus food pantry

Pack Provisions partners with Wolf Pack Meats and DFI to provide ground beef, fruit and vegetables year-round.
05/18/2022

Most Recent Blog Postings

SNAP work and snap peas: Anna Zoeters completes AmeriCorps service! I have gained so much respect for growers...
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The Greenhouse is a Living Creature - Trishtin Lieu's 2023 AmeriCorps Service at DFI My favorite part of my AmeriCorps service was being able to provide momentary distractions from other life stress to those who worked with me in the greenhouse. To see people’s faces when they walked in and took a stroll through the greenery in awe just meant a lot to me.
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Pesa Natumusuano'o Year (A Good Growing Year) My favorite thing we have done in this project is the feast which we had on October 18th. We were able to invite students and those who have helped us as guests and also as participants. A crucial part of this event was to serve indigenous foods, including from the plants we have gathered.
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Climate Smart Farming Internship Soil health is the foundation of a sustainable and productive farm, and monitoring your soil conditions offers insights into ways you can improve your farm management to leave the land better off than when you found it. Learn more about our work on this and other climate smart farming topics...
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Nevada Farm Apprenticeship Program

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Now Hosting Nevada Farm Apprentices!

The Program hosts participants in paid positions that prepare them to become farm owner/operators in Nevada. We are committed to supporting aspiring farmers, recognizing that their success is essential for the long-term viability of Nevada's agricultural industry. By investing in future farmers, the Nevada Farm Apprenticeship Program nurtures the growth of local agriculture, fostering a resilient and thriving food system for the state.

Interested? Learn more

Established in 2013, the Desert Farming Initiative is an applied agriculture program within the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.  DFI is located at the College's Valley Road Experiment Station, and partners with academic and Extension faculty, the agriculture industry, and community organizations.

DFI’s mission is to advance climate smart farming and food systems by:

  • Demonstrating climate smart vegetable and fruit farming practices for the region, and providing practical on-farm learning experiences for University students and apprentices.
  • Actively engaging with targeted stakeholders to develop resilient and equitable food systems, including vibrant markets, regional food security, and food sovereignty in Tribal communities. 
  • Supporting on-farm research and sharing the latest findings to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and accelerate implementation of climate smart practices. 

DFI operates a year-round commercial fruit and vegetable farm and plant nursery, selling wholesale and at direct markets to fund training programs.  All crops and plants are certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers.

Land and Water Acknowledgement

We may gather here from different places, but we are all on the traditional lands of Indigenous Peoples past, present, and future. The DFI farm is situated on the ancestral land of the Waší∙šiw (the people from here), or Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California as they are known today. The DFI is also fed by the waters of DáɁaw (known today as “Lake Tahoe”) which is at the center of Waší∙šiw ɁítdeɁ (the homelands of the Washoe People). We honor and acknowledge the land, water and the people who steward them.
 

From the DFI farm, water flows into Numu (Northern Paiute) lands. DFI also does project work on the lands of the Numu, Nuwu (Southern Paiute), and Newe (Western Shoshone). We commit to being respectful partners where we work, to let ongoing learning guide our practices, and to use our platform to advance Indigenous food sovereignty.

DFI team members are allies to LGBTQIA2+ communities and the farm is a SafeZone for all.

More about SafeZone training workshops

The work accomplished by the Initiative would not be possible without the generous support of our funders and community partners.

Nevada agricultural foundation logoNevada department of agriculture logo reno food systems logo
great basin food co-op logofallon logo Soulful Seeds logo