‘Grow your Own Classes’ return in July

Nevadans can grow safe, fresh, organic produce at home and in school and community gardens without spending a lot of money. Want to learn how? Attend one or all of University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s eight “Grow Your Own, Nevada!” gardening classes this summer to learn ‘back-to-basics’ best practices for producing bountiful and delicious harvests. Classes will be presented live in Reno and video conferenced to Extension offices throughout the state.

This summer session is focused on getting Nevadans of all ages away from sedentary lifestyles and outside into the garden. All students are welcome, even ones who may not have considered learning to garden before due to lack of experience, funds or space.

“Many communities in Nevada are considered ‘food deserts,’” said Western Area Horticulture Specialist Heidi Kratsch, “because they have limited access to fresh, healthy foods. We’re trying to change that by offering these courses to help Nevadans turn their backyards, schoolyards and community spaces into sustainable, edible gardens.”

Classes will be held Monday, July 8-August 26 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. and include:

A Community of Gardeners Film & Panel Discussion- July 8

Composting in Small Places- July 15

Reducing Food Safety Risks in Home, School and Community Gardens- July 22

Kids in the Garden- July 29

What’s Wrong with My Plant?- Aug. 8

Urban Organic Farming- Aug. 12

Native Plants for Garden Pollinators- Aug. 19

Garden Design & Function- Aug. 26

The class location for this session is the Churchill County Extension, 111 Sheckler Road.

For information about this program, visit the GYO website at: www.growyourownnevada.com. Persons in need of special accommodations are encouraged to contact Pat Whitten at 775-423-5121 or email her at whittenp@unce.unr.edu at least three days prior to the first day of the course.

Cooperative Extension is the college that extends knowledge from the University of Nevada to local communities to address important issues. Faculty and staff reached hundreds of thousands of Nevada citizens last year with research-based information on agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, health and nutrition, community development and children, youth and families.

Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s oldest land-grant university, the University of Nevada, Reno has more than 16,000 students and four campuses with Cooperative Extension educational programs in all Nevada counties. It is ranked as one of the country’s top 150 research institutions by the Carnegie Foundation, and is home to America’s sixth-largest study abroad program, as well as the state’s oldest and largest medical school.