First Nevada Governor’s Conference on Agriculture set in November

The inaugural Nevada Governor’s Conference on Agriculture will be Nov. 13 at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa in Reno, the Nevada Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.

“I am pleased to announce the very first Nevada Governor’s Conference on Agriculture,” said Gov. 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.”

The conference will bring together individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership and collaboration in Nevada agriculture.

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, go here.

The conference is in cooperation with the Nevada Farm Bureau’s annual meeting, Nov. 14-15, 2014, also at the Atlantis.

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