The end of summer means peak harvest season for many of our farms in Nevada. Between farmers markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) farm boxes, and U-Pick options right on the farm, there are lots of opportunities to connect with our local farmers and bring home fresh, in-season produce to your kitchen table.
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) can tell you what foods are in season, where to buy them, how to practice good food safety when preparing them, and some recipes to try, all at agri.nv.gov/NVFood.
Now is also the time of year for agritourism events. From county fairs to harvest festivals, there are plenty of options to see the food we’re growing throughout the state.
Enjoy the harvest,
– Director Goicoechea
Biosecurity is important to protecting against VSV and other animal diseases
While there are currently no active cases of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in Nevada, proper biosecurity measures are important to mitigating the spread and maintaining a healthy herd. In addition to travel requirements, biosecurity measures are recommended including:
• Do not share equipment, water troughs, feed buckets or salt licks between animals.
• Remove standing water from the premises.
• Remove manure regularly.
• Utilize repellants.
• Move animals away from high insect-vector habitats such as rivers, streams, irrigation canals and areas with high vegetation.
• Inspect animals regularly for signs of excessive salivation and lesions.
• If an animal is showing signs of VSV, isolate from other animals and contact your veterinarian.
Learn more at agri.nv.gov/animal_disease_updates.
Meat now available at food banks through the Home Feeds Nevada program
Great Western Meats is the newest member of the Home Feeds Nevada program. They recently delivered 20,000 pounds of ground beef to Three Square food bank in Las Vegas. Up north, Brough Ranch delivered 2,500 pounds of ground beef, Ponderosa Meat is delivering approximately 2,000 pounds per month, Oney Land and Cattle are providing approximately 4,000 pounds per month, and Wolf Pack Meats is delivering approximately 20,000 pounds per month to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Meat products are typically less available at food banks than other items. These are among the Nevada producers helping to fill this gap. Learn more about the Home Feeds Nevada program at agri.nv.gov/HFN.
Help prevent the spread of noxious weeds when sourcing materials
Choose certified weed-free materials when sourcing mulch, forage and gravel to help prevent the introduction of noxious weeds to new areas. It also limits the chance of your livestock becoming sick from weed species that are poisonous.
Producers are encouraged to certify their products as weed-free. Certified weed-free materials provide products with the added value of helping to maintain weed free landscapes and private property by encouraging good land stewardship and preventing the spread or introduction of noxious weed species. The use of certified materials is an important tool in erosion control and restoration efforts.
Learn more about certified weed-free here: agri.nv.gov/weed-free/
Apply to the Foundation Seed Program to diversify production/grow native seed
The NDA Foundation Seed Program provides free native seeds to growers to cultivate for use in future restoration efforts. Fall seed applications are due Sept. 29 @ 5pm. Visit rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program#overview | seed@agri.nv.gov
New funding available for meat and poultry processing expansion
The USDA has $123 million in grants available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to promote a fairer, more competitive and resilient meat and poultry supply chain. Funds can be used to support building, modernizing or expanding processing facilities, meeting packaging and labeling requirements, offsetting costs associated with becoming an inspected facility, and more. Entities that engage or plan to engage in meat and poultry processing, including private, non-profit, tribal, cooperative, state or local government, among other entities, located within the U.S. are encouraged to apply. Apply by Nov. 22, 2023.
Look out for Emerald Ash Borer – Don’t move firewood
Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive pest that wreaks havoc on ash trees. While we have not confirmed a sighting in Nevada, it has been detected in Oregon. A critical step to help prevent the introduction of this pest is to not move firewood. This means buying firewood where you plan to burn it when planning late summer barbeques and camping trips. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org and if you think you’ve spotted an Emerald Ash Borer, contact jknight@agri.nv.gov
First prizes awarded through the Nevada Craft Beverage Passport
The first two Nevada Craft Beverage Passports have been completed by Craig and Wendi Smith! After visiting all participating locations, they walked away with two Made in Nevada gift baskets. This means there are only three baskets left for those who visit all locations, but prizes are offered for stamping off 10 or more participating establishments.
Most recently, Jean-Paul Ntetika was awarded a prize while visiting Nevada from the Democratic Republic of Congo through the Mandela Washington Fellowship hosted by the University of Nevada, Reno, Northern Nevada International Center. Jean-Paul is the President and Founder of Tomela Wines and through his fellowship, he was learning about viticulture and agribusinesses to further his professional and community building goals. He noted that the Nevada Craft Beverage Passport was a great tool to learn about the different Nevada wineries while also learning how the program has helped Nevada businesses promote their products.
Find a passport near you at agri.nv.gov/passport.
Chad Sestanovich named Division of Animal Industry Administrator
The NDA selected Chad Sestanovich as the new Administrator for the Division of Animal Industry. Administrator Sestanovich comes to the NDA with more than 30 years of experience in different areas of animal industry. He has spent his life working in all aspects of agriculture, including everything from animal disease to livestock identification. Administrator Sestanovich was first involved in the animal industry as a ranch hand on his family’s hay and cattle ranch in Nevada. He spent eight years as a Veterinary Technician, and most recently was assistant ranch manager at Mori Ranches. Administrator Sestanovich will be based in the Elko office and make his home in eastern Nevada with his wife and two daughters.
Brittany Mally named Division Deputy Administrator
The NDA announced Brittany Mally as the new Division of Food and Nutrition Deputy Administrator. Brittany will be leading the Division of Food and Nutrition alongside Patricia Hoppe, who was named as the new Division Administrator in May. Brittany originally started her career at the NDA in 2015 in school nutrition, after which she moved to the Douglas County School District as the Director of School Nutrition programs. Brittany returned to the NDA in 2021 as the School Nutrition supervisor. Brittany has her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of New Mexico and a Masters of Family and Consumer Sciences in Dietetics from Iowa State University. In her free time, she also serves on the board of the Nevada School Nutrition Association.
Learn more/pay fees here: https://agri.nv.gov/Animals/Livestock/About/