WNC Specialty Crop Institute presents Small Farm Equipment Workshop

Courtesy Steve Yingling, Western Nevada College

Winter is the time for farmers and ranchers to repair, replace and update farm equipment.

To facilitate these tasks, Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute, in collaboration with the University of Nevada, Reno Desert Farming Initiative, will offer a Small Farm Equipment Workshop on Friday, Jan. 20.

The workshop runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Desert Farming Initiative, 920 Valley Road, in Reno. Cost is $20 for those registering by Friday Jan. 13 and $25 afterward. Online registration is available at http://www.wnc.edu/ce/sci/.

The workshop will be hosted by commercial suppliers and local farmers who will bring equipment and tools for attendees to try out. They will be available to answer questions as well. Demonstrations will be held throughout the day, along with a tour of the facilities and equipment at the university farm.

The workshop includes a farm hack contest. Attendees are invited to bring their most creative farming innovation. Entries will be judged, with the winner receiving a prize.

The WNC Specialty Crop Institute is an innovative program that provides training for alternative farming methods and crops for high desert agriculture. Its goals include expanding and diversifying Nevada agriculture. Funding is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

For more information or to register, phone Ann Louhela at 775-423-7565, ext. 2228 or email ann.louhela@wnc.edu.