The University of Nevada, Reno is hosting an event at its farm this weekend that consists of hands-on activities and information on the latest advancements in agriculture, horticulture, nutrition, natural resources, and the environment.
The annual Nevada Field Day is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station’s Main Station Field Lab, 5895 Clean Water Way. Admission is free.
“September is great time of year for people to visit the university’s Main Station Field Lab,” Bill Payne, dean of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, said in a statement. “There will be a lot to see and do, and it really helps people understand how we blend the missions of the university in terms of teaching, research, and engaging with our communities to serve Nevadans in their everyday lives.”
Cooperative Extension volunteers will be on hand to provide information on fall planting and pruning, vegetable gardening and other topics for home gardeners; the Desert Farming Initiative will sell local produce, and plants grown in UNR greenhouses will be for sale with proceeds going toward future research and graduate student work.
Walking tours of cattle facilities and sheep and wool stations are scheduled at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. Cooking demonstrations with chefs Mark Estee and Clint Jolly are planned at 11 a.m. Food trucks will also be on hand.
Other activities and informational booths are as follows:
- Constructing hydroponic systems for growing produce at home
- Implementing conservation measures in an urban agricultural setting
- Attracting beneficial pollinator insects and safely managing pests
- Salt-tolerant and low-water-use crops and plants
- 4-H drone discovery with flying foam planes and mounted cameras
- 4-H clubs providing information and demonstrations on raising animals
- “Ember house” bean bag toss to learn about embers and wildfire threats
- Lilliputian garden necklace craft with live plants
- Activities with Nevada plants and animals from the Museum of Natural History
For more information, visit http://www.cabnr.unr.edu/fieldday/ or call 775-784-1653 or 775-784-1660.
