First Nevada Agricultural Summit planned for Fallon

FALLON - The first Nevada Agricultural Summit will be held here Dec. 1 and 2 with a goal of educating area producers about what steps can be taken to sustain and promote the state agricultural community.

The event is geared toward meat producers, dairy farmers, crop farmers and end users, such as consumers and commercial buyers.

Juliet 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 with an overall perspective of the 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 erg environment and keep our open spaces to prevent urban sprawl," Taylor said.

The last morning session consists of several speakers discussing how to bring local products to market. Topics will include the organic certification process, the Made in Nevada program, and participation in farmers markets, the Local Foods Systems Network and the NevadaGrown program, which is housed at the Churchill development authority in Fallon.

The keynote speaker, J'Amy Owens, CEO of Prescott Frost Organic Grass Pastured Meat company, will speak during the luncheon. According to a press release, Owens is a retail branding expert.

The afternoon sessions kick off with discussions on renewable energy and bio-fuels, with speakers touching on growing native seeds and producing and marketing Nevada meat. Kyndra Curtis, of the UNR College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, will give the results of the university's study of the feasibility of an area USDA slaughterhouse.

The afternoon wraps up with several ag success stories, including Fallon farmers Mario Peraldo, who grows an African grass called teff; and Colby Frey, who manages Churchill Vineyards.

There will be a networking reception and dinner Friday evening.

The summit concludes on Saturday with a working group discussing "Where do we go from here?" Attendees may then tour the Great Basin Plant Materials Center, followed by a "field-to-plate" lunch.

Taylor said the summit has room for 100, with 45 spots already filled.

The cost is $75, which includes lunch and dinner the first day and breakfast and lunch the second. Taylor said meals will include Nevada-produced meats and locally grown produce.

To reserve a seat or for information, contact Taylor at the authority at (775) 423-8587 or e-mail jtaylor@ceda-nv.org.

If you go

WHAT: Nevada Agricultural Summit

WHEN: Dec. 1 and 2

WHERE: Churchill Economic Development Authority office

COST: $75

REGISTER/INFO: Contact Juliette Taylor at the Churchill Economic Development Authority at (775) 423-8587 or e-mail jtaylor@ceda-nv.org