High Desert Farming, UNR - RENO, NV
The Desert Farming Initiative is a diversified commercial farm at UNR located at the Nevada Agriculture Experiment Station, serving as a demonstration, education, outreach, and research farming program for sustainable and organic farming practices. The Desert Farming Initiative (DFI) began in 2013, and is in collaboration between the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station (NAES), and Cooperative Extension.
Our Mission is to advance and strengthen sustainable agriculture and food systems in Nevada while researching and demonstrating best practices that can be replicated in other high desert climates:
Demonstrating: The best crops, production techniques, and sustainable farming practices that are economically viable and successful in the Nevadan high desert climate.
Educating: Create opportunities for learn by doing, hands on farm experiences for students, farmers, and the public. Provide resources and information about sustainable farming and food systems for desert climates, food safety, and general crop production information.
Outreach and Technical Assistance: Actively inform and engage with the community and stakeholders about agricultural systems that address the challenges of both economic and environmental sustainability in desert climates; and provide assistance to growers regarding agricultural regulations, policies, crop production techniques, and environmental stewardship.
Research: Facilitate and develop research opportunities, collaborating with University faculty and students, other organizations and agencies, and industry to improve agricultural practices for desert climates.
In addition to acting as a demonstration and research resource in Nevada, DFI operates a year-round commercial farm producing a large variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs sold at many leading Reno establishments. All crops are produced with organic farming methods and DFI produce is certified organic by CCOF.