How are we doing? Results from informal Nevada farmer survey

It’s been about four years since I discovered that there are still farmers in Nevada and that it is possible to buy locally grown food. In 2006 I didn’t know anyone who purchased food grown in Nevada, or anyone who even knew a farmer. Now there are 20-25 people in my world for whom local farmers provide much of their food and almost daily I meet many who shop at farmers markets and would buy local food if it were easier to get. The market says that where there is demand new sources will develop, so it seems logical that if more Nevadans are eating locally we would eventually see more people farming, an increased number of access points, and new products.

All over the world new farmers are taking over abandoned farmlands and converting them to organic farms. Some farmers who’ve managed to avoid or get out of the Monsanto-cycle that often results in financial ruin are converting to alternative practices. So, I need to know…is Nevada part of this trend?


Earlier this year 25 local farmers responded to an informal survey I threw together using my highly inadequate survey development skills. Here’s what they told me…

In terms of access points 47.8% sell their products through CSAs, 47.8% to restaurants, 34.8% sell meat and poultry directly to consumers, 30.4% sell through the Great Basin Basket Community Food Co-op, 26.1% through farm stands, 17.4% sell through small locally owned markets, 17.4 % through Whole Foods, 17.4% through supermarket or big- box stores, and 8.7% are u-pick.

BTW, I stupidly left farmers markets off the list of options so I have no figures for this option. Lattin Farm is at the two markets I frequent all season, and later in the season Workman Farms is present at the California Street market.

How will farmers respond to customer demands and requests in 2010? 63.2% will grow a wider variety of vegetables, 47.4% will grow more unusual varieties, 42.1 will grow fruit, 31.6% offer eggs, 26.3% will include value added products to their offerings, 15.8% are offering Broad Breasted White turkey (one of them produces organically), 5.3% will raise beef, chicken, and/or heritage turkey.

84% expanded their product line adding more variety to our options. In 2010 our farmers will add meat (beef, pork, chicken, duck, and turkey), honey, eggs, Ginger Sweet potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, beets, pumpkins, various and more greens, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, lavender and flowers, and olive oil.

Early in the year at Lattin Farms had asparagus and baby turnips at the farmers market, which I’d not before. Nevada farmers are expanding beyond tomatoes and squash into fava beans and ginger, demonstrating that it can be done. BTW, if unpleasant childhood memories make you pass by turnips try the baby turnips. They are tender and slightly peppery, nothing like the big purple shouldered variety I toss into stew or roasted winter vegetables.

Are more Nevadans buying food raised by Nevada farmers? Between 2008 and 2009 69.6% gained customers, while 26.1% maintained a stable customer base. Two of the respondents just started their business in 2008 or 2009, which is good news all by itself.

What are their growing practices? 40% use organic practices but forego the fees and administrative processes that come with federal certification. 32% grow conventionally, meaning they utilize herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers. 24% are certified organic, meaning they grow using organic practices and adhere to the federal program administrative fees and paperwork, in exchange for the certification that ensures customers know they’re buying organic. 8% are Certified Naturally Grown, which means they use organic practices and their operational integrity is verified through an inspection process conducted by other organic farmers and consumers.

If more people return to the farm, that is another indicator of improvement. Bill McKibben reports in his new book, Eaarth, that the US gained 300,000 new farms, most organic or alternative, in the last decade -- a heartening sign after decades of decline. Is it happening in Nevada? Western Nevada College has been offering classes to help existing or wanna-be farmers learn about agricultural practices that work in Nevada. Ann Louhela, who helps coordinate these classes, tells me that at the outset they hoped for 20-30 participants in each class…60-90 actually turned out! Many of these folks are new to farming and seem to gravitate to farming organically on 2-100 acres. Some of them are younger and believe land stewardship is important.

There are many exciting things happening in the Nevada food scene, and I hear of more advances than set-backs. So, as a glass-half-full gal I choose to believe the Nevada is indeed learning to value food grown by people in Nevada.

Woo hoo!