It is true the University was doing research on sheep some of which I too find controversial. However, this research is no longer a part of the program. The larger picture is that this is a rare opportunity to have an urban University owned farm of this magnitude essentially in the right place at the right time. The local food movement has come from a nascent stage to being a viable career choice and new farmers and local producers are ready to become the new adaptive, nimble, stewards of food production from a decentralized local economy based environment. These new farmers will need a new skill set that includes not only traditional small farm animal husbandry and crop production, but technology use, business planning and marketing, and a broad understanding of environmental resource management in terms of water, soil, and long term adaptive climate practices. Really, the agricultural program begins now - not yesterday. It begins by making the Board of Regents, the University Interim President, and the Reno City Council understand the new economy is based on not an idealistic reference to job creation or high paying four year degrees but work that is meaningful, respectful, and ready to adapt to the environmental changes our planet faces to feed people.
It is true the University was doing research on sheep some of which I too find controversial. However, this research is no longer a part of the program. The larger picture is that this is a rare opportunity to have an urban University owned farm of this magnitude essentially in the right place at the right time. The local food movement has come from a nascent stage to being a viable career choice and new farmers and local producers are ready to become the new adaptive, nimble, stewards of food production from a decentralized local economy based environment. These new farmers will need a new skill set that includes not only traditional small farm animal husbandry and crop production, but technology use, business planning and marketing, and a broad understanding of environmental resource management in terms of water, soil, and long term adaptive climate practices. Really, the agricultural program begins now - not yesterday. It begins by making the Board of Regents, the University Interim President, and the Reno City Council understand the new economy is based on not an idealistic reference to job creation or high paying four year degrees but work that is meaningful, respectful, and ready to adapt to the environmental changes our planet faces to feed people.