The average carrot travels over 1,800 miles to get to our dinner plates. Processing and shipment of food accounts for 93 percent of our food cost.
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is offering eight new "Grow Your Own, Nevada!" classes at 12 locations statewide to help Nevadans who want to get on a path to more sustainable, local, healthy living by growing more of their own food.
"Anyone can become a better gardener by attending these classes," Cooperative Extension Horticulture Specialist Heidi Kratsch said. "From the beginner to the advanced gardener, everyone can benefit from a Grow Your Own class."
The series of workshops will run April 7 through April 30, and be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m. The workshops will provide gardeners and those interested in growing healthy foods with a back-to-the-basics guide to producing bountiful harvests in Nevada. The workshop topics will include:
- April 7: GMOs: Facts and Fallacies
- April 9: Composting and Vermicomposting
- April 14: Weeds, Critters and Insects
- April 21: Wine and Beer Making (heavy on the wine)
- April 23: Fruit Trees for High Desert Orchards
- April 28: Berry Production
- April 30: Walapinis: Experience With a Belowground Greenhouse
The workshops will be held live at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension office, 4955 Energy Way in Reno, and will also be available via interactive video at Cooperative Extension offices in Battle Mountain, Carson City, Elko, Eureka, Fallon, Hawthorne, Lovelock, Pahrump, Tonopah, Winnemucca and Yerington.
"Gardening in Nevada is a challenge," Kratsch said. "But you can learn to deal with our harsh climate and poor soils by building on the success of others. Grow Your Own educators are experienced gardeners and growers and are excited to share what they know with the community."
To register for any or all of the upcoming "Grow Your Own, Nevada!" classes, visit . The class fee for those attending at the Washoe County office is $15 per class or $60 for all eight classes. K-12 teachers and Master Gardeners in Reno receive a discount on registration cost. Class fees in other locations vary. Residents should contact their local Cooperative Extension office for information on attending the series in those locations. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event.
