From The Desk Of NDA Director JJ Goicoechea
Thank you for the warm welcome as I step into this role as Director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA). I have worked in the agriculture industry for the majority of my career, including more than three years previously serving as the NDA state veterinarian. I would like to extend gratitude to the Nevada Board of Agriculture and Governor Joe Lombardo for this appointment, and to the Nevada food and agriculture industry for their support and entrusting me in this leadership position. I look forward to working hard with industry, partners, stakeholders and NDA staff in support of our mission to preserve, protect and promote Nevada agriculture. Thank you again for this opportunity.
Food sales opportunity –
Home Feeds Nevada program
The NDA is seeking meat, produce, and other farm products to purchase at fair market price from Nevada farms and ranches. The foods will be sent to Nevada food banks as part of the recently launched Home Feeds Nevada program, in support of Nevada agriculture and food security. Now is the perfect time to apply and plan for 2023 production.
The program is open to farms of all sizes, with small- and medium-sized farms receiving a premium over the base price, recognizing the additional costs of operating a smaller operation.
Producers will be paid fair market price for products, with a formula that compares commodity to local food prices and pays a local premium.
Prior to completing the online application, ensure that you meet the program requirements. If you have questions or need assistance, including technical assistance with the online process, please contact Ann Louhela via phone at 775-250-1339 or email at alouhela@agri.nv.gov.
Visit agri.nv.gov/HFN for more info and to apply.
USDA and NASDA Foundation launch toolkit to increase market access for underserved specialty crop farmers
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation have created a Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) grower toolkit and corresponding website to increase underserved farmers’ access to new and existing markets and USDA food safety certification programs. This initiative was created under an AMS cooperative agreement with the NASDA Foundation.
The GAP toolkit includes new and user-friendly educational resources with an emphasis on GroupGAP, a USDA farm food safety program that provides the specialty crop industry opportunities to supply and buy fruits, vegetables and related products certified as using GAP. The website and toolkit detail the specifics of all GAP programs, their benefits, expected costs, misconceptions, the audit process and relevant resources.
The NASDA Foundation GAP toolkit is located at nasda.org/gap-overview/.
Frey Ranch Distillery named 2022 Nevada Agriculture, Food and Beverage Small Business of the Year
The Fallon distillery was awarded on January 26, 2023
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), in partnership with Made in Nevada (MIN) presented the 2022 Nevada Agriculture, Food and Beverage Small Business of the Year Award to Frey Ranch Distillery in Fallon, NV.
“Frey Ranch is a great representation of the agriculture, food and beverage industry in Nevada,” said NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea. “Their grains are grown here on Nevada soil and made into something representative of the state.”
The award recognizes the extraordinary work done by agriculture, food and beverage industries in Nevada. Frey Ranch Distillery was selected from 15 nominations by three judges from the NDA and Made in Nevada to receive this year’s award. Nominations for Frey Ranch Distillery recognized them as a true farm to glass operation and one of only four estate distilleries in the country. Their involvement and service in giving back to the community as well as being a tourism hub for Churchill County and contributing to the economy and workforce with 25 employees were also recognized.
“My family has been farming in Nevada for 165 years and we couldn’t think of a better way to share that commitment with the community than with a product grown and produced wholly from Nevada,” said Colby Frey, co-founder of Frey Ranch Distillery. “To continue to share our portfolio of whiskeys, including a new release this weekend, is incredible and it means a lot to be recognized with this award.”
