NAF News

ANNUAL NAF MEETINGS 2005

The Nevada Agricultural Foundation (NAF) at its 2005 annual Board of Directors and Trustees meetings added the names of more young Nevadans it has assisted in their quest for a higher education in agriculturally oriented fields. The Foundation, since 1976 has helped more than two hundred Nevada graduating high schools seniors with Educational Grants as incentives for them to pursue careers in food production. During the 2005 meeting held April 29 in Reno, 23 Educational Grants totalling $45,000 were awarded. They included 10 new or graduating senior grants, seven continuing scholarships or four year awards and five re-applications for one year stipends. The recipients came from nine Nevada counties. Awards varied from Premier 4 year grants at $2,000 per year to one year $1,000 scholarships. Over a million dollars in the past 30 years has been awarded by NAF in educational grants and financial assistance to 4-H, FFA and other associated youth activity and for agricultural research. It took 24 years to reach the first half million mark but from 2000 through 2005, $569,500 has been given. This has resulted from a large bequest to NAF and several lesser ones. The total grant sum of $62,500 provided by NAF this year included the $45,000 in Education Grants plus another $17,500 that went to 4-H, the Nevada Junior Livestock Show, and for a proposed NAF agricultural education program for school teachers and students.

Trent Loos, an agricultural advocate from Loups City Nebraska, was featured speaker at the annual NAF Banquet following the meetings. Loos, a sixth generation Nebraska rancher, provides a radio program, Mondays through Fridays, to 100 radio stations in 14 states. He also writes weekly columns for two major agricultural publications. Loos believes the greatest challenge facing agriculture in the next five years is to bridge what he sees as a great "disconnect" between food consumers (all of us) and food producers. There are about two million food producers in the United States which produce enough to feed some 260 million Americans plus export to other Nations. It is unlikely says Loos, "that many Americans in their lifetimes will ever meet a real farmer or rancher. They don't have a human face or a human presence to connect with the food they buy off super market shelves. It is difficult for them to 'humanize' food production." He feels that people, society generally including politicians, media, higher education, the judiciary and on and on, favorably or unfavorably relate many products they purchase, entertainment they seek, sporting events and other similar activities to "faces" or celebrity but never the less, the human factor. He thinks all in agriculture should take every opportunity to tell the "agricultural story."

Along with providing financial grants during the annual meeting, and hearing Loos as featured Banquet speaker, the Board of Directors and Trustees attending listened to a report by Dr. Paul Tueller, retired range scientist who spent over 40 years on the UNR Ag. College faculty. He reviewed research he has been doing relative to range monitoring in the state. NAF has provided funding for his efforts toward establishing an acceptable range monitoring protocol. He believes it is vitally important to engage in ," a systematic collection of data that provides documentation of what is happening on rangelands." This is necessary, he says, for good range management. New officers for the ensuing year were elected, a new Board of Directors member named and a new Trustee appointed. Louis Test, Reno Attorney, former Vice President and Board member, was elected as new NAF President. He replaces Tom Barnes, Elko Rancher, as President. Michael (Mike) Compston of Wellington was named as Vice President. He is also a Board member. Vern Heppner of Reno was retained as Treasurer with Gail Munk of Lovelock as Executive Director/Secretary. Sue Hoffman of Reno was named to the Board to fill the vacancy left with the passing of Del Haas of Smoky Valley. Dave Armstrong, Reno, was appoined as a Trustee.

Test in his new role as President presided at the Banquet with Alan List of Lovelock, Chairman of the NAF Educational Grant Committee, announcing grant awardees and introducing those attending the Banquet. - 30 -

Trent Loos, Loup City Nebraska, is an agricultural advocate and was the featured speaker at NAF's annual Banquet held on April 29 in Reno. Loos said, "there is a disconnect between food consumers and food producers that needs to be bridged."

Educational Grant winners, 2005, along with some NAF Ed. Grant alumni present at the Banquet include (left to right) Alan List, Ed Grant Committee Chair, Lovelock; Erin Lubbe, Washoe; Tracy Dianda, Carson City (alumni); Moira Ilg, Elko (alumni); Jasmine Vittori, Lyon (alumni); Brian Santisteven, Elko (alumni); and Louis Test, NAF newly elected President.

Educational Grant Recipients, 2005, (left to right) List; Casaundra Dotts, Douglas; Kyle Martinez, Douglas; Amanda Vesco, Humboldt; Katrina Julian, Churchill; and Test.

More Educational Grant Award winners (left to right) List; Joshua Vittori, Lyon; Andrea Mori, Elko; George Pomeroy, Churchill; and Test.