Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station

The experiment station has been in continuous operation at the university since its establishment in 1888. The passage of the Hatch Act of 1887 and succeeding state legislation provided for the organization of the station.

The majority of the faculty working at the experiment station have joint responsibility with Cooperative Extension or resident academic programs in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Division of Health Sciences, Cooperative Extension or the School of Medicine.

Federal funds are appropriated under the Hatch Act to promote high-quality research activities on agricultural and natural resource issues that are important to the state, the West and the nation. McIntire-Stennis Act allocations promote research for the development, protection and efficient utilization of resources from the nation’s forests and rangelands. Animal health allocations are directed toward solving and understanding the health problems of livestock.

Research emphasis at the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station is consistent with the themes of the university’s 21st century plan. A summary of the citizens’ needs assessment includes the following areas of emphasis: making Nevadans healthier, developing and sustaining productive youths and families, developing and sustaining productive communities, improving water availability, allocation and quality, and resolving natural resource values.

Research is conducted in the laboratories of the Max C. Fleischmann College of Agriculture, Howard Medical Sciences and the Division of Health Sciences facilities on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. Four field laboratory sites are also used for research, including: the Animal Research and Extension Center in Reno, the Valley Road facility in Reno, the Newlands facility in Fallon and Gund Ranch in Beowawe.