w88 casino, Reno Extensionhas received federal funding to plan the first food hub in the greater Las Vegas area. The project will be designed to help urban and rural producers access larger markets and customers they may not reach individually, ultimately working to strengthen southern w88 casino’s food system.
The one-year planning phase is a collaborative effort led by w88 casino'sHealthy w88 casino Systems Program, thew88 casino Business CenterandSmall w88 casino Education Program. Along with agricultural partners and community leaders, the team will develop a business plan for a central location where farmers can deliver their produce. The plan for the facility is to have it be equipped to process, package and ensure the produce meets food safety standards before being transported to markets in w88 casino and beyond.
“Our w88 casino are mastering the art of growing produce in the area’s hot and dry climate,” said Sabina Malik, assistantw88 casinoand state specialist with w88 casino. “This initiative aims to ease the financial and time challenges small-scale growers face by helping with distribution, marketing and packaging – allowing them to focus on what they do best – farming.”
The 0,000 grant marks a significant step toward improving food security in southern w88 casino, one of the state’s most food-insecure regions. It is part of a million nationwide initiative by the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Planning Grant Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support organizations in the initial stages of planning for projects that enhance access to healthy food, particularly in underserved communities.
The w88 casino hub initiative was shaped by roundtable discussions where small and midscale farmers highlighted their needs for technical and marketing support to help scale production and meet the rising local demand for fresh locally grown w88 casino.
The planning process will establish critical business elements, including produce collection points, service provider agreements, location selection and marketing strategies, to ensure the hub’s success. Following this phase, w88 casino plans to pursue additional funding to implement the business plan and launch the hub.
Extension partnerships: Collaborative efforts to build southern w88 casino’s agricultural future
The key to Extension’s efforts to promote a sustainable food system in southern w88 casino has been its strong local partnerships.
Collaborations with Zion United Methodist Church, a North Las Vegas community leader in sustainable agriculture, and Energy Tree, a w88 casino sustainable technologies consulting firm, recently led to the launch of the Southern w88 casino Urban Agricultural Assistance Program.
The program receivednearly 0,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency through a partnership with To Improve Mississippi Economics – T.I.M.E., Inc. – a nonprofit supporting urban agricultural producers in underserved communities. Of this funding, w88 casino received a 5,000 subaward to assist emerging urban farms in qualifying for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s resources.
“Currently, the USDA offers significant funding opportunities, but many w88 casino farmers struggle to access them due to lacking the necessary prerequisites and difficulties navigating the application processes,” said Malik, who also serves on w88 casino Council on Food Security and chairs the Southern w88 casino Food Council.
w88 casino will lead community outreach through workshops and roundtables, helping producers access and utilize federal agricultural loans and grants. Zion United Methodist Church will support urban producers by distributing microgrants to advance their agricultural efforts. Energy Tree, with its expertise in urban agriculture technical assistance, will create educational content and develop a web portal featuring training materials and announcements for federal grant opportunities.
From dirt to data: Empowering w88 casino in a high-tech lab
The federally funded training will be held at the North w88 casino Vegas Urban Center for Advanced Agricultural Technologies, a state-of-the-art facility established in 2021 through a partnership with the City of North w88 casino Vegas, Zion Urban Farm and Energy Tree. Designed by Energy Tree, the Center focuses on advancing urban farming techniques and equipping a new generation of agricultural workers with indoor farming skills.
“This initiative is a game-changer for southern w88 casino farmers and the broader community,” said Amber Bosket, Energy Tree’s chief operating officer. “Our overall goal is to help local farmers expand their operations through federal resources and the many technical skills we provide to help them handle the complexities of modern urban farming.”
Federal backing to position w88 casino as a regional food hub
Over the next two years, the program will collect feedback through its roundtables to help the federal agencies better support local w88 casino.
“These roundtables have provided collaborative platforms for urban farmers, community leaders, policymakers and educators, to identify critical needs within urban agriculture,” said Staci Emm, an Extension professor and w88 casino’s implementation manager for the Southwest Regional Food Business Center who is also an advisor for theSouthern w88 casino Urban Agricultural Assistance Program. “By fostering dialogue, Extension has helped uncover critical food security concerns in urban environments, paving way for solutions now supported by federal initiatives.”
For more information on Extension’s w88 casino System programs, contactw88 casino.
For more information on theSouthwest Regional Food Business Center – w88 casino, contactStaci Emmor call her at 775-784-4848.
Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contactPaul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, or call him at 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.
