AGRICULTURE NEWS BRIEFS

UNCE CLASS ON AG OUTLOOK

The class Nevada Agriculture Outlook examines how agriculture is a key sector to the state’s economy as well as for many of Nevada’s rural economies.

How will international and national economic trends impact Nevada’s agricultural prices and financial viability of the state’s farms as well as potential impacts of sage grouse designation? Lastly, what is the forecasts of home grown foods in Nevada? These and other issues will be discussed at the Nevada Agricultural Outlook. This class will be offered live in Reno and Las Vegas and interactive video out to Fallon, Elko, Winnemucca, Yerington and Carson City from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb 25.

Cost of the workshop is $20 per person at the live locations only and includes all handout material and lunch. To register for Reno go to http://renoagoutlook.eventbrite.com/; for Las Vegas go to http://lasvegasagoutlook.eventbrite.com/ all interactive video sites are free. Attached is the brochure with the agenda, speakers, locations address and if you have any questions, contact Jennifer Kintz, kintzj@unce.unr.edu or call 775-945-3444, ext. 12.

RADON TEST KITS

Free, easy-to-use radon test kits may be picked up through Feb. 29 at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension offices and partner locations statewide.

Kits are available in Fallon at 111 Sheckler Road.

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, comes from the ground and can enter homes and accumulate to elevated concentrations. At elevated concentrations, the odorless, colorless gas can raise the risk of lung cancer for unsuspecting homeowners.

Lung cancer kills more individuals than any other cancer, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates 21,000 Americans die each year from radon-caused lung cancer, killing more people than secondhand smoke, drunk driving, falls in the home, drowning or house fires. Once diagnosed with lung cancer, there is only a 15 percent five-year survival rate.

In Nevada, one in four homes tested found radon concentrations at or above the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/l). According to experts, living in a home with radon concentrations at the action level poses a similar risk of developing lung cancer as smoking about half a pack of cigarettes a day.

For more information or a list of free kit locations, visit the Nevada Radon Education Program website at www.RadonNV.com, or call the Radon Hotline at 888-RADON10 (888-723-6610).

The Nevada Radon Education Program is a program of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and is funded by the EPA and Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

The program has been working to raise awareness of the dangers of radon in the home since 2007. Since 2008, the program has distributed radon test kits, and more than 21,000 homes have been tested in Nevada.

Nevadans are encouraged to take advantage of this free offer to test their homes for radon, as after February, kits will still be available, but for a fee.

GARDENING IN NEVADA

Cooperative Extension has teamed up with Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space to offer “Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series.” Classes are free and run 6–8 p.m. every Tuesday, Feb. 2–March 29, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road in Reno.

The classes are taught by Cooperative Extension horticulturists and experts, and Cooperative Extension’s certified Master Gardener volunteers. Upcoming classes include ...

Feb. 16: From Buds to Vines and Grapes to Wine — Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Joe Bernardo covers the basic skills of growing grapes and making wine in Nevada.

Feb. 23: Dealing With Pests in the Landscape and Garden – Cooperative Extension Urban Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Program Assistant Melody Hefner discusses the steps to create a pest management plan, including alternatives to chemicals for pest control.

For information or for general horticultural inquiries, contact University of Nevada Cooperative Extension at 775-784-4848 or mastergardeners@unce.unr.edu, or visit www.unce.unr.edu.