Desert Farming Initiative

11/06/2026

Registration is now open for the 2027 Nevada Farmers Forum!

Join us Jan. 30 for a day of education, collaboration and community building with farmers, ranchers and agricultural industry leaders from across the region.

This year's featured speaker is Casey O’Leary, urban farmer, seed saver, educator and horticulturist, and co-founder of the Snake River Seed Cooperative in Idaho.

Connect with fellow agricultural producers, exchange ideas and explore practical methods and innovative approaches to small farm agriculture.

Event Details:
📅 Date: Jan. 30, 2027
⏰ Time: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Joe Crowley Student Union, University of Nevada, Reno
🎟️ Registration: $60 per person

Register today and join Nevada's agricultural community for a day of learning, networking and shared experiences: eventbrite.com/e/nevada-farmers-forum-2027-tickets-2003793824269?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

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

11/04/2026

One week left to apply! 🌱

Interested in gaining hands-on experience in organic greenhouse production? We are seeking motivated University students for our spring 2027 plant propagation and nursery management internship!

Students will earn academic credit while developing practical skills in seeding, transplanting, irrigation management, integrated pest management, greenhouse environmental control and record-keeping.

The internship runs January through May and is worth three academic credits (nine hours per week). Applicants must be University undergraduate or graduate students in good standing and enroll in AGSC 416 or NRES 416 if selected.

Applications are due Nov. 11! Email your cover letter, resume and three professional references to Tatum at [email protected]. Questions? Contact [email protected].

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

11/03/2026

Plant the seeds for a stronger future in Nevada agriculture!

This Giving Tuesday, the Desert Farming Initiative (DFI) has a goal of raising $10,000 to support Nevada agriculture and provide University students with practical, hands-on learning opportunities.

Your gift helps fund seeds, irrigation supplies, soil amendments and other essential materials for the upcoming growing season. These resources support student education, hands-on research and fresh food production for the University and Northern Nevada community.

Every gift makes a difference! Whether you can give $5, $25 or another amount, your contribution helps students gain real-world agricultural experience and workforce-ready skills.

Can't donate? Sharing this post helps us spread the word!

Help us reach our $10,000 goal and grow the future of Nevada agriculture! Give to DFI: unr.imodules.com/s/1949/cf21/home.aspx?sid=1949&gid=2&sitebuilder=1&pgid=3388

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

10/27/2026

We’re thrilled to highlight Zitlalic, one of our fall academic interns this semester!

Zitlalic is a third-year environmental science student our College and in the Honors College. She is also a McNair Scholar at the University. In addition to her work with us, she serves as an intern at the University’s Natural History Museum, a research assistant in the Leger Lab and an academic mentor in the residence halls.

Throughout her internship, she has helped with seeding, bed preparation, transplanting, harvesting and other daily farm operations. One aspect of her experience that stands out to her is seeing how adaptable farming practices can be. By documenting challenges and successes throughout the growing season, the team can learn from each experience, adjust its approach for future seasons and share those lessons with local farmers.

She has also appreciated seeing the impact we can make in the community. Through our partnerships with local food pantries, we help provide fresh produce to our community and connect the work happening on the farm to support food access across Northern Nevada.

We’re proud to support students like Zitlalic as they connect their academic studies with hands-on learning, explore new areas of interest and gain a deeper understanding of agriculture and its role in our community.

We’re grateful to have Zitlalic on our team this fall and look forward to supporting her continued growth throughout the semester!

Learn more about student opportunities with us: naes.unr.edu/dfi/work-with-dfi.aspx

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

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

We are seeking motivated University students to join us at the Desert Farming Initiative (DFI) for the spring 2027 term in plant propagation and nursery management! Students will earn academic credit while gaining hands-on experience in organic greenhouse production.

As an intern, you will work alongside our team to develop organic fruit and vegetable propagation skills and learn how these practices contribute to farm resiliency. Responsibilities include seeding, transplanting, irrigation management, integrated pest management, greenhouse environmental control and record-keeping.

The internship is offered for three academic credits (nine hours per week) during the spring 2027 term from January through May. Applicants must be University of Nevada, Reno undergraduate or graduate students in good standing and enroll in AGSC 416 or NRES 416 if selected.

To apply, email your cover letter, resume and three professional references to Tatum at [email protected] by Nov. 11, 2026. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Learn more: naes.unr.edu/dfi/internships.aspx

University of Nevada, Reno | College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources | Nevada Career Studio | Graduate Student Association | | | | | | | | | | |

10/10/2026

Tomorrow’s the day!🎃

We’ll be at the Riverside Farmers Market from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Idlewild Park, bringing plenty of organic pumpkins and fall squash grown right here at DFI.

Our pumpkins and squash were grown by Todd Rissone and University students, providing hands-on experience in organic agriculture right here in Nevada.

The weather is looking like the perfect fall day, so grab your friends, come pick out a pumpkin and explore the other local farms and vendors at the market!

We’ll see you there! 🐺💙

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

10/09/2026

It’s National Apple Month! What better time to look back at our recent Orchard Development Workshop?🍎

We had a great time bringing farmers and community members together to learn about orchard planning, establishment and management in Nevada’s high desert. Participants connected with growers and experts while learning practical strategies for establishing and caring for productive orchards in our region.

To wrap up the workshop, participants got to taste apples grown right here at DFI and figs from Neil Crowley’s orchard, putting a delicious finish on a day of learning!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the workshop a success. We’re proud to support Nevada growers and create opportunities to learn and grow together. 🐺💙

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

10/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to our Nevada Field Day & Ag Expo to connect with us, explore the farm and learn more about Nevada agriculture!

Visitors had the chance to explore DFI through tables highlighting our programs and the research we partner on across the farm. We also had pumpkins, fresh produce and fall seedlings available for visitors to take home.

Our Nevada w**e tasting was a hit, with 30 different Nevada w**es available to try. We were also excited to donate a market basket featuring University w**e as a raffle prize.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, asked questions, supported our work and helped make Field Day a memorable day. We’re grateful for our community and look forward to seeing you again next year! 💙🐺

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

10/08/2026

Join us for the 5th Annual Paba Tuka!

On Oct. 17 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Program will bring our community together at our College's Main Station Farm Science Center to celebrate Indigenous food sovereignty through traditional foods, cultural practices and community connection.

Since 2022, the program has created space for Indigenous students and community members to share knowledge, honor traditions and grow together. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of food, culture and community.

📅 Oct. 17 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
📍 Main Station Farm Science Center, 5895 Clean Water Way, Reno, NV 89502
🎟️ RSVP: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=_Es7Ur0OA0yyuW9qF_0x2IuhceCmJXtLgCSu8xpBJfBURFpCV0ZIMlRYOUVOUEU3M0hHTDZRTDhSTC4u&origin=QRCode&route=shorturl

Have questions or want to volunteer? 🙌 Email Kinzie at [email protected] to learn more or sign up to help with cooking, event setup and cleanup, or greeting guests.

We are an EEO/AA institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Tatum Gogna at (775) 682-9782 or [email protected] at least five days before the event.

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