Growers’ peer-mentoring ideas begin Monday

Beginning Monday, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will offer five “Great Ideas From Growers” sessions, where small farm producers from across the state can share their knowledge and experiences to help each other improve their businesses.

“This provides an opportunity for owners of small, specialized farms to learn from others’ experience,s” said Extension Educator Holly Gatzke, who will lead the sessions.

Based on information requested from producers, topics this year will focus on production (planting, irrigating, weed control, fertilization, plant selection, etc.), sales and marketing (CSAs, farmers markets, roadside stands, restaurants, wholesales, etc.), and crop planning. The sessions will be from 5-6:30 p.m., Jan. 13 and 27, Feb. 10 and 24, and March 10.

“This forum helps producers work together as an industry to build successful agricultural businesses that meet the increasing demand for locally grown specialty products,” Gatzke explained.

Great Ideas From Growers is part of Cooperative Extension’s Herds and Harvest Program. Herds and Harvest is designed to help farmers and ranchers develop agricultural entrepreneurship, implement sustainable agricultural marketing strategies and improve profitability. Since starting in 2011, Herds and Harvest has reached more than 200 farmers and ranchers across the state, and two-thirds of the participants reported they would make changes in their business practices because of what they learned through the program.

Great Ideas From Growers will be available by interactive videoconference at Cooperative Extension offices in Caliente, Ely, Hawthorne, Logandale, Minden, Pahrump, Tonopah and Yerington; and in the Lake Room of the Banner Churchill Community Hospital, 801 E. Williams Ave. in Fallon.

To participate by phone, call 775-726-3109, ext. 107, or 775-962-1300 to get a pin. For information about Great Ideas From Growers, contact Gatzke at 775-962-1300 or 775-726-3109, ext.106.