UNR introduces new Carson City Extension educator

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has introduced a new extension educator for Carson City. Lindsay Chichester was hired as the Carson City Extension educator. She will begin her position Jan. 1.

“I’m thrilled,” Carson City Board of Supervisors Member Karen Abowd said about hiring Chichester. “She’s a local with a vast source of knowledge on agriculture and growing. I also appreciate that she has experience in engaging others within the community, and we look forward to that engagement.”

Previously, Chinchester was in Saunders County, Neb., where she was an extension educator for the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and worked on livestock and 4-H agricultural and community programming. Chinchester has a doctorate in systems agriculture and a masters in animal science and speech communication.

She has also worked in food safety, agricultural business, plants and soil and environmental programming. Because of her work, she’s experienced in community outreach and engagement, youth development, experiential learning, horticulture and cropping systems.

“Chichester has extensive community educational work in agriculture and 4-H at the University of Nebraska, one of the preeminent Extension systems in the nation,” Extension Northern Nevada Area Director Frank Flavin said. “She is an excellent fit for Carson City with her background in crisis communications, given the frequent occurrences of wildfire in the area. Carson City is also very high in radon, and Chichester’s experience in radon education in Nebraska will correlate well with Extension’s efforts in Nevada.”

She will be working in Carson City to help develop, deliver and evaluate effective science based educational programs, ensuring programs will result in positive and measurable impacts.