By:  Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President

Our current effort has centered on building the cause for Nevada agriculture and drawing attention to the specific requirements of being able to access critical input necessities -- like renewable forage resources from lands under the management of federal agencies and water either applied to growing crops or used for watering livestock. 

Nevada agriculture was established and grew by fitting into situations unique to the environment and landscape of the state.  Support industries also were developed to match the needs of supplying the inputs required for Nevada farmers and ranchers.  As Dorothy was heard to expound, “I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore.”  Nevada agriculture isn’t what agriculture is in other states and doesn’t need to be in order to succeed.

The ability for Nevada agriculture to succeed is partially based on being allowed to continue with operating procedures that have been honed to accomplish objectives that are required to have income which surpasses expenses. 

Over the past several years, prices received for Nevada agricultural production have been relatively high, but it would appear that those better times may be in the rear-view mirror.  A possible redeeming factor may be found in the reduction in the expense incurred.

Another “benefit” of a downturn is that challenges press the limits of how things are done and new approaches are tested to meet the requirements of the situation.  Innovation and seeking to develop new ventures or approaches for production are being pursued to meet profits necessary to sustain operations. 

A more long-term trend has been shaping the make-up of agricultural operations with expansion coming in the form of smaller farms, utilizing direct-to-local-consumer business models.  These enterprises are causing new ways of looking at what Nevada agriculture is and what it might become.

Overall, the future of Nevada agriculture will be defined and evolve through a combination of reaching for new opportunities while building on its rich heritage.  Regardless of success or failure, the future will also require making the case for maintaining the ability for agricultural producers to try.