At this point there are six county Farm Bureaus who have announced their 2024 annual meeting dates.  They are:

• Central Nevada Farm Bureau – November 1 (6 p.m.) Hartman Ranch
• Churchill County Farm Bureau – October 9 at the Golf Course in Fallon
• Clark County Farm Bureau – October 29
• Humboldt County Bureau – October 12 (6 p.m.) at the Humboldt County Extension Office
• Lincoln County Farm Bureau – October 29, (6 p.m.) at the Firehouse in Caliente
• Lyon County Farm Bureau – October 16 at the Lions Club House in Yerington

The Nevada Division of Water Resources and the State Engineer will be hosting a public listening session on Tuesday, October 1^st at the Orovada Community Hall (65 Rock Creek Rd, Orovada).  The meeting is scheduled to be held between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This session is aimed at informing the public about water-related issues while also offering a public forum for the community to share their comments, suggestions and ask questions.

These types of community meetings are being planned in other areas of the state as well.  We will continue to pass along the information when we’re made aware of future plans.

Over the past couple of weeks, we have surface water related policy questions that have focused on various changes for Nevada water law and how beneficial use and forfeiture of non-use of water rights are dealt with.  In a slightly different vein, the Nevada Division of Water Resources have announced plans to hold a public workshop dealing with the regulations pertaining to the section of Nevada Administrative Code for Extensions of Time.  The workshop is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start on October 15^th.  As we closer to that meeting date we will post the notice along with the link to participate in their virtual meeting system.

The agency has also opened a public comment process for those who are interested in giving input to the regulation section that deals with the Division’s review process for NAC 533.390 to 533.500 . Written comments covering these regulations and possible changes that are suggested to the Division need to be submitted by the October 18^th, 2024 deadline.

Following the public meeting and receipt of any written comments, the Division will prepare a report reviewing the comments and discussing any future action by the Division during the next regulation cycle.  This next cycle begins July 2, 2025.  Comments to the Division of Water Resources for these regulations should be sent to their office (Nevada Division of Water Resources, 901 S. Stewart St. – Suite 2002, Carson City, NV  89701) or emailed to:  ndwr-regscomment@water.nv.gov

Depending on whether last minute resolution is worked out, East Coast and Gulf Coast Ports may become the site of a major strike involving the 85,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) who operate the ports that are being impacted by the strike.  The existing contract expires on September 30.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Daniel Munch has covered this impending issue in his most recent Market Intel report. The ramifications of the involved ports could have significant impacts on both agricultural exports and imports.

“Collectively, the value of containerized agricultural products passing through ILA-controlled ports, including both imports and exports, exceeds $1.4 billion per week.” Munch writes in his MarketIntel.

We’ve shared on a number of occasions the actions taken by the Nevada Farm Bureau Board of Directors to oppose passage of Ballot Question 3 when voters decide in the 2024 general election.  Ballot Question 3, if adopted would amend the Nevada Constitution to establish a change in the primary election process, opening the entire primary up to everyone eligible to vote.  This approach is sometimes nicknamed a “Jungle Primary”.  It basically puts everyone who has filed for an office to be considered on the primary.  The top 5 candidates chosen will then move to the General Election Ballot.

The General Election system would become “Ranked-choice voting.”  Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is an alternative voting method where voters rank candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just one. If a candidate receives more than 50 percent of first-preference votes, they win. If not, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the voters' next preferences. This process continues until a candidate secures a majority of the votes. 

While preparing for a presentation on Ballot Question 3 we ran across an interesting and somewhat ironic view on those who are supporting passage and hoping to have it plugged into the Nevada Constitution.

In the arguments in support of passage, the official point of view for voters to consider states –

“Question 3 will give ALL Nevada voters the right to participate regardless of their party registration.  By creating an open primary, Question 3 allows all voters a voice in all those who appear on the general election ballot regardless of party affiliation.” - Arguments For Passage…

Because of the way that Nevada’s voter registration process works, everyone who wants to vote in the current primary process can already do so.  Although this new “jungle primary” will also open things wide open.

Meanwhile because of the way “Ranked Voting” will happen, a voter’s ballot could easily be discarded and not counted as the tally process works its way down to a final tabulation.

The Process of Ranked Voting -- 

•       In the General Election, voters would be able to mark their ballots, indicating their choice by preference of their top five candidates…

•       Votes are tabulated and if the highest ranked candidate doesn’t earn a majority, the next round of tabulating ballots continues…

•       The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and votes cast for the eliminated candidate shall cease and shall be added to the totals of each ballot’s next-highest-ranked continuing candidate…

•       Inactive Ballot – If a ballot no longer has any continuing candidate, the ballot is considered “Inactive” and is no longer tabulated in whole or in part…

•       A “continuing candidate” means any candidate who hasn’t been eliminated by being the lowest vote getter in a round of tabulation…

•       An “overvote” is an instance when a voter ranked more than one candidate with the same ranking…

In other words, while the argument is made that every voter should be able to participate in a primary election – when it comes to the General Election…not every vote will actually be counted.

Please visit this website to learn more details and consider adding your name with those who are voting “NO” on Nevada Ballot Question 3.

Those interested in commenting during the 30-day comment period that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has opened for changes to the conservation practice National Handbook of Conservation Practices have until October 24^th to send those comments to NRCS.

There are several specific codes that NRCS is considering including “Irrigation Water Management – Code 449”.

Two sessions are being planned for Nevada Extension to show off their stuff, co-hosting their open house with Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill in Reno and Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick in Las Vegas.

Reno’s session is planned for October 3^rd from 4 to 6 p.m. at the University of Nevada, Reno, Joe Crowley Student Union.  It will be in the Great Room of the facility (1664 N. Virginia St., Reno, NV).  To RSVP for the Reno session – Click Here.

The Las Vegas session will be held on October 14^th from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Clark County Government Center (500 S. Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas, NV). To RSVP for the Las Vegas session – Click Here.

Light refreshments will be served along with the information on the programs available through Nevada Extension.

The Nevada Association of Conservation Districts and the Nevada Weed Management Association are planning to have a joint 2024 Conference/Trade Show.  This will be held November 19^th and 20^th at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino (2500 East 2^nd St, Reno, NV). November 19^th will focus on the two organizations holding information sessions.  November 20 will feature a bus tour of Reno locations (Reno Food Systems, UNR Valley Road Ag Experiment Station, Soulful Seeds).

The Conference Registration is $250 and covers the banquet and bus tour.  Click Here to register.  If you would like to be a sponsor or purchase a vendor booth – Click Here.

For information, please call Kevin Piper at the Nevada Association of Conservation Districts (805) 441-9437 or Sean Gephart (775) 815-8079 at the Nevada Weed Management Association.