PRESS RELEASE
Saturday Oct. 6, 2018 8:30am to 5:30pm
This Fall, “Jump on the Bus,” the Nevada Agricultural Foundation’s (NAF) first bus tour of scenic rural communities. Nevadans know there is beautiful scenery in our state but gaining access to the peace, beauty and productivity of these open spaces is often difficult. Here’s your opportunity to learn about some of Nevada’s history and special locations plus see striking fall views of the Carson Valley.
This inaugural NAF tour provides air-conditioned and comfortable seats as passengers visit the Carson Valley area, site of one of the earliest agricultural activities in what would later become the state of Nevada. Leave by 9am and ride south as the guide tells about the changes in the Truckee Meadows and Washoe Valley areas.
The tour continues through Jack’s Valley noting John Ascuaga’s ranch and the Fulstone Jack’s Valley roots and then on to Genoa, Nevada’s oldest settlement and former county seat of Douglas County. See Trimmer’s Outpost and how they feature Trimmer Ranch beef and other retail products.
The bus will then stop at Historic Ranch One, the first established ranch in western Utah Territory and still doing business today. Learn the history of the ranch, their current operations and the changes that have made it sustainable. Meet owner Lisa Lekumberry who will discuss their business model and how they creatively market their ranch products.
Time permitting, travel down Genoa Lane and see the Hanging Tree and Genoa Livestock. Then along Highway 88, there will be a discussion about the historic ranches and ranching families such as the Dangbergs, Springmeyers, Dresslers and others.
Around noon, participants will enjoy lunch at the well-known Basque restaurant, the J. T. Basque Bar & Dining Room. With roots from a century ago in Virginia City, the restaurant serves many locally grown food products, including natural grass-fed beef from Trimmer’s Ranch. (You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy a picon punch, the traditional Basque beverage.)
After lunch, visit Bently Heritage, learn about their commitment to preservation and see their use of LEED standards to make the old buildings energy efficient and productive. Then tour the distillery and tasting room and learn details about the restoration and their business model.
We will travel on to Bently North Ranch, where participants will tour the agricultural operation and discover how treated effluent supplements river and reservoir water supplies. Crops used in distillation will be highlighted as well as the process for raising and marketing their grass-fed beef products, including a trip to the farm retail meat shop.
All proceeds from tour ticket sales support scholarships for Nevada students majoring in an agricultural curriculum such as farm/ranch management, veterinary medicine, plant science or other related fields. These scholarships enable Nevada students to continue their education to improve agriculture conditions in Nevada.
Tour tickets are $125/person, including the authentic Basque lunch. Tour participants may receive special discounted room rates at The Nugget Hotel and Casino in Sparks for Friday and Saturday nights. For bus tour reservations and lodging details, contact executive director Sue Hoffman at the NAF office, (775) 673-2468 or email her at [email protected].
