SPARKS – The Nevada Department of Agriculture announced today the inaugural Nevada Governor’s Conference on Agriculture. The event is November 13, 2014 at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa.
The conference will bring together individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership and collaboration in Nevada agriculture.
“I am pleased to announce the very first Nevada Governor’s Conference on Agriculture,” said Governor Brian Sandoval. “Agriculture is one of Nevada’s leading industries, contributing more than $3 billion to the state’s economy.
“This includes our rich and diverse agricultural industries, from ranching and farming to all the associated businesses that keep these industries vibrant.”
Open to the public, attendees will hear from peers, academic experts and industry leaders about public land issues, livestock grazing for ecosystem management, Genetically Modified Organisms and more.
The conference will also provide an opportunity to connect with Nevada agricultural businesses and government organizations in the exhibit hall.
At the hosted lunch, Governor Sandoval, via video, will be honoring two Nevada ranching families with the Nevada Centennial Awards, awards that recognize ranches that have been in existence in Nevada for 100 years or more.
The keynote speaker during the luncheon will be Dave Coon of Anderson Dairy, who will be sharing the history, challenges and future outlook for the company born out of the Las Vegas desert in 1907.
This event will close with the showing of “Farmland,” a documentary film that opened across the country in May. The film looks at the lives of young farmers and ranchers and the challenges facing the next generation of production agriculturalists.
For more information, sponsorships or to register for the conference, please visit http://agri.nv.gov/governorsconference/.
The conference is in cooperation with the Nevada Farm Bureau’s annual meeting, Nov. 14-15, 2014, also at the Atlantis.
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Confirmed participants and speakers for the conference include:
- Sarah Adler, state director of USDA Rural Development
- Jim Barbee, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture
- Bruce Breslow, director of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry
- Jeff Bryant, executive director of the Reno non-profit, Urban Roots
- Dr. Bob Conrad, public information officer of the Nevada Department of Agriculture
- Dave Coon, vice president for sales and marketing at Anderson Dairy
- Bill Dunkleberger, U.S. Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor
- Heather Dye, executive director of Nevada FFA
- Jessica Fagundes, director of communications for the Nevada Farm Bureau
- Dr. Tom Harris, professor of economics at the University of Nevada, Reno and director of the University Center for Economic Development
- John Hargrove, renewable programs manager at NV Energy
- Clint Koble, state executive director at USDA Farm Service Agency
- Rick Lattin of Lattin Farms, LLC (Fallon)
- Jim Lawrence, special advisor to the director of Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Ramona Hage Morrison, executive director of Liberty and Property Rights Foundation
- Martina Newell-McGoughlin, director of International Biotechnology, adjunct professor of plant pathology at U.C. Davis
- Denise O’Toole, agriculture instructor at Moapa Valley High School
- Jennifer Ott, project manager, High Desert Farming Initiative, University of Nevada, Reno
- Dr. Bill Payne, dean of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno
- Dr. Barry Perryman, professor of rangeland ecology and management at the University of Nevada, Reno
- Dennis Perea, deputy director of the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation
- Bruce Petersen, State Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Paul Thomsen, director of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy
- Dr. David Shintani, associate dean for academic programs at the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno, and associate professor of biochemistry
- Nicole Sallaberry, local food and sustainability coordinator, Great Basin Community Food Cooperative
- Brad Schultz, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension education for Humboldt County
- Jeff Sutich, international marketing coordinator, Nevada Department of Agriculture
- Dr. Tamzen Stringham, Donna Anderson endowed professor of rangeland management at the University of Nevada, Reno
- Ron Torrell, president of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association
- Dr. Mark Walker, dean and director of University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
- Tony Wasley, director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife
- Ann Willard, agriculture education programs professional for the Nevada Department of Education
