Workshops offered on drought assistance for ag producers

RENO — As every county in Nevada is experiencing severe to exceptional drought, the United States Department of Agriculture is offering several federal assistance programs for Nevada agricultural producers. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will offer workshops statewide in June to provide discussion and information on these programs.

Programs to be discussed include water conservation and emergency programs offered through the department’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; crop insurance, emergency loan and livestock feed programs through the department’s Farm Service Agency; and crop and livestock insurance production and cost insurance options for the 2016 agricultural year through the department’s Risk Management Agency.

Workshops will be held:

1 p.m., Monday in Yerington at the Lyon County Cooperative Extension office, 504 S. Main St., http://yerington.eventbrite.com

1 p.m., Tuesday in Fallon at the Churchill County Cooperative Extension office, 111 Sheckler Road, http://fallon.eventbrite.com

Registration is $10 per person and includes handouts, information updates and snacks. Those attending are encouraged to preregister at the websites given above to ensure ample space and educational materials are available. Or register by contacting Jennifer Kintz at kintzj@unce.unr.edu or 775-945-3444, ext. 16. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call Staci Emm at 775-945-3444 at least three days prior to the workshops they intend to attend.

The workshops are part of Cooperative Extension’s Nevada Risk Management Education that helps farmers and ranchers across the state develop agricultural entrepreneurship, implement sustainable agricultural marketing strategies and improve profitability. The program is supported by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency and the USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information on meeting challenges posed by drought, go to www.LivingWithDrought.com.