Harvest Festival at Dangberg Home Ranch

Autumn has arrived and along with it, so has a season of community celebrations.

In honor of this seasonal shift, the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Douglas County and Douglas County 4-H hosted a Fall Harvest Festival 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park, 1450 Highway 88 in Minden.

The family-friendly event invited everyone to come out and enjoy a fun and educational evening featuring different 4-H club activities and local vendors. Doors open at 5 p.m. wand 4-H demonstrations begin at 5:30 p.m.

Carson Valley Shepherd’s 4-H Club will give a live sheep shearing demonstration and explain the process of shearing and its importance. The 4-H Baking Club will have recipe giveaways and a variety of tasty goods and treats to enjoy, and Shooting Sports 4-H will offer attendees an opportunity to try shooting sports activities in a supervised, safe environment. Other attractions include goat milking and a petting zoo.

The Master Gardeners of Douglas County will be there to provide lots of gardening tips, hands-on demonstrations, and activities.

A variety of vendors will offer goods and services during the festival. 7 Hawk Ranch will have fresh produce, eggs, jams, jellies, honey, dried herbs and seasonings, and goat milk lotions and soaps. Autumn is an ideal time to fill your garden with plants, and local nursery VitalBeeBuds will have native perennial plants available for purchase along with information about how to establish and maintain a pollinator-friendly garden.

Attendees can opt to take part in a $5 passport challenge; collect stamps from the festival’s clubs and vendors for a chance to win some great prizes.

The UNR Extension (extension.unr.edu/about.aspx) is the outreach unit of the university that offers non-degree educational programs to the community. Extension has administered a 4-H program in Nevada for more than 90 years.

4-H (4-h.org) is one of the largest youth organizations in the nation. 4-H aims to provide youth ages 8-18 access to opportunities, leadership, and experience based on the motto, “To Make the Best Better.” Program participants receive support and guidance from adult mentors and develop their own pathway in the program based upon their interests. Members complete hands-on projects in areas that include health, agriculture, civic engagement, and science.

For information about becoming a 4-H volunteer, visit extension.unr.edu/4h/volunteers.aspx.

Questions about tonight’s festival can be directed to 775-782-9960.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.