Desert Farming Initiative

The Desert Farming Initiative's mission is to advance climate smart farming and food sovereignty in the region. Established in 2013, DFI is a flagship program within the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. DFI is located at the College's Valley Road Experiment Station, partnering with an array of UNR faculty and leading community organizations.

DFI relies on grants and donations to:

• demonstrate sustainable vegetable and fruit farming practices while bolstering the regional food system;
• provide applied learning opportunities for UNR students and develop educational resources for other growers;
• actively engage with a diverse array of stakeholders to improve food security and prepare for farming in a changing climate; and
• conduct research in collaboration with academic faculty, other organizations, and industry to improve agricultural practices for desert climates.

For more information on this fund or giving to the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, please contact Christina Sarman, Executive Director of Development at (775)784-6009 or christinas@unr.edu.

Thank you for considering a charitable gift to support us. We have a $5,000 limit per credit card transaction as we strive to keep our fees low in order to realize the full charitable gift for the program. If you wish to make a larger gift, please consider setting up an EFT, utilizing a wire transfer or mailing a check so that the program can realize the entire amount of your gift.