Learn to grow food in Northern Nevada on a community scale

The other night at the Slow Food Reno Fall Potluck Rick Lattin talked about a few of the most important agricultural and local food programs to develop over the last 10 years or so.  Among them is the Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute.  This program reaches out to people who want to grow food on a community scale and teaches them how it's done.  Much of the new local food grown in Nevada comes not from existing large commodity crop farms (hay, alfalfa, etc.) converting to specialty crops (tomatoes, fava beans, etc.) but from folks who want to grow food on just a few acres, so these workshops are for anyone who interested in local food production.  The Romanos (see pic) are excellent examples of contemporary farmers.

Here's another fantastic and versatile program for both approaches. When I get to work today I'm going to ask the boss for November 19th off!

From my mailbox to you:

Thanks to our contribution the NDOA Plant Industry escaped budget cuts -- for now

A huge "Good on ya!" to everyone who contacted their Nevada Senate and Assembly representatives and told them it is important to save the Nevada Department of Agriculture Plant Industry (read the original post). For now, this really important government service escaped full closure. Time to be happy!

However, it is also time to get ready for the next round. The last emergency legislative session was charged with addressing a 1 billion dollar deficit -- according to the word I hear from people closer to the process the next session will involve a 3 billion dollar shortfall. Hard decisions will have to made, so we'll all have another chance to step up.

Woo hoo! Go foodies!

Important! NV State Legislature will consider cutting an important NDOA program

This is so important -- to farmers, to the economy, and to us!  The Nevada Legislature will soon consider cutting a department that is vital to all  food  grown and sold in Nevada. It looks like the NDOA programs that our local farmers are affiliated with are once again in danger of being eliminated. Food grown and sold by local farmers is integrally tied to this program, and therefore also to anyone who values local food and a local economy.  Please read the entire post and take a few minutes to contact your assembly and senate representatives today.  We've heard they'll meet to discuss this on February 23rd.

We've included some important talking points to cut and past into emails, and contact info is included.