Agriculture club

Nevada’s agriculture industry is comprised of many smaller entities—farms, regional food hubs, agritourism, agribusiness, and education at both the secondary and college levels. The 2013 State of Agriculture Study, released last week online and at an address by Gov. Brian Sandoval and Nevada Agriculture Director Jim Barbee, looks at the economics of each entity and breaks it down to four industrial “clusters”: production industries, agriculture support industries, processing and packaging industries, and distribution industries. Ultimately, the study found that each of these clusters must be strong and self-sustaining in order to improve the industry as a whole.

The study was a joint effort by the Northern Nevada Development Authority, Business Resource Innovation Center, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Carson City Library. According to the data collected, Nevada’s agriculture has a $5.3 billion impact on the state, but there’s plenty more to be made.

“Overall, the agriculture cluster has a positive and significant impact on the state and is well positioned for future growth, given its potential for export enhancement and import substitution, though much work remains in identifying the factors necessary for successful growth,” the report states. “This includes understanding the reasons for import gaps and disconnects, identifying export ready companies and supporting existing operators.”

A large discrepancy lies with the lack of capital generated from Nevada’s commodities. The state’s top commodities are livestock, making up 37 percent of farm receipts; feed crops, 22 percent; dairy products, 20 percent; vegetables and melons, 14 percent; and all other crops, 3.8 percent. Although livestock is considered “Nevada’s leading agricultural industry,” the low number of meat processing facilities has made it difficult for this sector to flourish.

Much of the economic growth depends on supporting local resources, including offering incentives for local food growers—the most important of which is having access to a market. The report highlights several successful companies throughout the state, including Fallon-based Lattin Farms, which offers year-round seasonal crops—most notably, cantaloupes, pumpkins, tomatoes, and summer and winter squash, grown on 90 of the 390 total acreage of the farm. Lattin Farms has also been effective at implementing agritourism. The farm has an annual gross revenue of more than $4 million, and employs up to 22 people throughout the year.

Local agricultural leaders and organizations are optimistic about the study. Many were in attendance at the governor’s address, including NevadaGrown and Future Farmers of America. Quest Lakes, task force facilitator of the Healthy Communities Coalition, says that beyond just the economics of a strong agriculture industry, it’s important for food security—access to healthy, sustainably-grown food—to be a priority. She expects 2013 to be a pinnacle year for the state.

“Watch for new developments statewide that emphasize regional cooperation and a fresh analysis of Nevada’s place in the global market,” Lakes said. “Watch for a push to infuse more local produce into school lunch programs. Watch also for rapid expansion of NevadaGrown outreach, for more meat processors to come to Nevada, and for more opportunities in [agriculture] education both in high school and in higher education.”