�Ƽ��Ӱ�ԭ��

�Ƽ��Ӱ�ԭ�� our College

A founding college of the University, we have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, research and engagement programs that benefit the health and economic vitality of Nevada. We offer programs in:

• agriculture, horticulture, rangeland and veterinary sciences
• biochemistry and molecular biology
• children, youth and families
• community and economic development
• health and nutrition
• natural resources and environmental science

Subscribe to our newsletter  Browse our newsletter catalog

New University-grower-winemaker partnership seeks to advance Nevada wine industry

University partners with growers and winemakers to continue research and support educational activities

Claudene Wharton

Red wine grapes grow at the Research Center & Demonstration Orchard in North Las Vegas. Photo by Louise Ruskamp.

The College, and its and units, has been conducting research on growing grapes in Nevada for more than 25 years. Now, a new, more formal partnership has been formed to advance and promote the industry locally.

The Northern Nevada Demonstration Vineyard & Winemaking Network aims to build on practical experience in the region, as well as draw on viticulture expertise from around the Western U.S. Partners include the College, its Experiment Station and , and the .

Partnership goals include demonstrating state-of-the-art commercial wine grape production and providing practical guidance and educational opportunities. Collaborations and research are already underway.

Living With Fire developing new wildfire education curriculum in northern Nevada high school

Hannah Alfaro

Extension’s Living With Fire Program piloted a new wildfire curriculum at Carson City High School this past fall. Pictured, the Waterfall Fire, which burned 8,700 acres and destroyed 18 homes, burns near Carson City in 2004.

Extension’s Living With Fire Program has developed and piloted a curriculum for use in northern Nevada high school science classes to educate students about wildfire science, preparedness and career opportunities.

The curriculum was developed with stakeholders and educators across the state, including teachers, fire professionals, scientists and tribal organizations. It includes training and materials for teachers to incorporate wildfire education in their biology, earth, environmental and agricultural science classes. The materials will teach high school students how to prepare for and prevent wildfire, while meeting Nevada educational needs and standards.

The curriculum prompts students to explore the beneficial and harmful roles wildfire plays across Nevada ecosystems. For example, students in earth science courses will dive into wildfire’s impact on soil nutrients and erosion patterns, while environmental studies students will use historic climate and wildfire data to make predictions about how wildfires are likely to change in the future. Eventually, the program will develop curriculums for elementary and middle school students as well.

Curriculum activities and conversations provided Carson City High School students valuable opportunities to process the stress of recent incidents and become more resilient to future wildfires. A student survey following this pilot showed an increase in the number of students who felt that they had the ability to protect where they live from wildfire.

The materials and trainings for educators will be available free of charge starting this summer.

High-risk teams to address domestic violence in Nevada

Extension awarded grant to support victims of domestic violence in Elko and Clark Counties

Hannah Alfaro

Extension domestic violence high-risk teams will work with local law enforcement and other agencies to provide resources to domestic violence victims.

Victims of domestic violence at high risk of fatality in Elko and Clark Counties are getting more comprehensive assistance to keep them safe and set them on a path to a secure, self-sufficient life, thanks to Extension's new Domestic Violence High Risk Team Program.

The program, with funding from the Nevada Attorney General's Office and in collaboration with the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, will assemble teams to follow up with domestic violence victims after initial contact with law enforcement to provide them with resources and support. Led by Assistant Professor Pamela Payne, the team's immediate goal is to assist on calls with the highest risks for the victims.

In Nevada, there is one domestic violence offense every 17 minutes and 18 seconds, and rates have increased during the pandemic. Extension has been working to address this issue since 2004.

Rafter 7: The University's unique sheep breed

Developed for Nevada, could have international impact

The College's Rafter 7 sheep were bred to thrive in challenging high-desert environments and to produce very soft wool.

Laura Zander knows wool. For 20 years her company— Jimmy Beans Wool— has shipped to customers all over the country and beyond from her Reno headquarters.

All kinds and colors of wool, but the skeins she’s excited about are something new and special. They also represent the results of decades of development by University scientists and a public-private partnership with the College.

“It’s the first time we’ve collaborated with the University on a product that we’re going to sell here,” says Zander. “It’s like farm-to-table, or farm-to-needle if you will.”

It all starts with a herd of sheep that spend their days grazing at the College's Great Basin Research & Extension Center in Eureka County. They are unique, a breed developed by a University geneticist decades ago, once sold, but now reacquired by the College.

They were bred to thrive in the challenging high-desert environment and to produce very soft wool, and they do both very well. If they can thrive here, they can do well in other parts of the world with dry, difficult environments where sheep are an important resource.

University's logging sports team cuts its way to victory

Nevada Loggers win big at largest forest conference and exhibition in the West

Ashley Andrews

Nevada Loggers Vanessa Arias and Airica Gallaspy double bucking, or working together to saw a mounted log in half using a crosscut saw for time, at the Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference's Logging Sports Exhibition.

Despite being one of the smallest competing teams, the University’s logging sports team, Nevada Loggers, won big at the 73^rd annual Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference's Logging Sports Exhibition, held Feb. 10-12 in Anderson, California.

Chuck Lewis, an Ecology Evolution & Conservation Biology master's student in the College, took first place in the men’s stock chainsaw event. He was the fastest at sawing through a 15-inch-diameter log. Lewis also placed in the qualifier choker-set race, in which large steel cables used for log retrieval are carried through a timed obstacle course and tied onto a log at the end.

Airica Gallaspy, a senior in the College's Forest Ecology & Management Program, earned first in the women’s stock chainsaw qualifier event.

Vanessa Arias, a sophomore criminal justice major, placed top three in both the qualifier and finals of the women’s speed axe throw. In the event, entrants competed to hit a target's bull's eye with a thrown, double-headed axe for time.

Nevada Loggers welcome new University student members, regardless of major, school year or experience level. For more information, contact Hunter Noble.

College professor honored by International Society for Range Management

Tamzen Stringham first woman to receive the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award

Claudene Wharton

Professor Tamzen Stringham is the first woman to be awarded the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society for Range Management. Photo by Robert Moore.

Tamzen K. Stringham, a rangeland and riparian ecologist in the College, received the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Range Management last month at the society’s annual meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award is presented by the Society to members for long-term contributions to the art and science of range management and to the Society for Range Management. Stringham, a researcher and professor, is the first female to be honored with this award.

Since arriving at the University in 2008, Stringham has been doing world-class research, mentoring and educating graduate and undergraduate students, and doing Extension work across the state. Her research has focused on state and transition ecology, watershed management, and fire ecology. Throughout her career, she has garnered over $8.5 million in research funding.

Stringham has been a member of the Society for Range Management for 29 years, and has served on multiple committees and as a reviewer for the Journal of Rangeland Ecology and Management. Stringham has also been a strong proponent of rangeland management and ecology in her interactions with a number of allied organizations.

In memoriam

ㅤ