Reno Food Systems asks Washoe County to steward south pasture for regenerative grazing demonstration

Reno Food Systems asked the Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission on Jan. 22, 2025, to consider expanding its stewardship at Betsy Collin Donnelly Park by taking responsibility for the south pasture and using it for a regenerative grazing demonstration.

The proposal, presented by Lindsey Langsdale, executive director and farm manager of Reno Food Systems, came during a Commissioner briefing about community programs. Langsdale summarized the organization's work since leasing the north five acres of the park in 2018: a demonstration farm on drip irrigation, a farm stand, donation and food-equity programs, a USDA Urban Agriculture Innovation and Production grant awarded in 2024, and partnerships with local nonprofits and schools.

The request for county approval would add the south pasture to the nonprofit's stewardship so the pasture could be managed with rotational, regenerative grazing practices rather than conventional continuous grazing. Langsdale said the approach would prioritize soil health, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience and would expand the farm's educational offerings by adding livestock and grazing demonstrations to the existing annual- and perennial-crop programming.

"We would love to continue our stewardship of this park by taking on the south pasture for a regenerative grazing demonstration project," Langsdale said. "We envision Betsy Collin Donnelly Park as a holistic example of regenerative agriculture in Nevada."

Why it matters: The proposal would change historic pasture management at a publicly held park and could affect lease terms, future funding and land use. Langsdale said the existing pasture lease expired at the end of 2024 and that the county will seek a new steward in the coming months.

Commissioners asked for more detail on finances, lease length and community benefits. Commissioner Nick Kearney called the farm "a tiny thumbprint producing an amazing return" and asked whether the model could be replicated on other public parcels. Langsdale said she envisions multiple "Park Farm" sites and said Reno Food Systems will pursue grants to cover planning and implementation, including grant pools administered by the National Association of Conservation Districts and Truckee River Fund. She said she has identified planning and implementation grant opportunities and had preliminary assurances from funders that a Nevada project would be competitive.

Commissioner Mark Newman asked whether 4-H and FFA students could use livestock on the property for youth programs; Langsdale said those partnerships are part of the planning approach. Commissioner Sean Hill asked about sustainable funding; Langsdale said some grant applications are contingent on having approval to use the land, creating a "chicken-or-egg" situation that she has been addressing with planning grants first.

Washoe County deputy district attorney Lindsey Liddell told the commission that county law provides flexibility for long leases to nonprofits. "I believe in NRS chapter 244, which addresses county property, there's some language regarding leasing to nonprofits for up to 99 years," Liddell said. She cautioned that legal and procurement details would be handled if the commission directs staff to pursue an agreement.

Action and next steps: Commissioner Timothy Dake recommended staff refer the request to the Washoe County Open Space and Parks regional management group to evaluate lease options, funding and operational details and return a recommendation to the commission. The commission agreed to that path. No formal lease or agreement was approved at the Jan. 22 meeting.

Community context and history: Langsdale emphasized the farm's role in food equity: Reno Food Systems reported donating about 4,000 prepared meals and more than $6,000 in produce in 2024, distributing 658 seedlings to schools and hosting more than 500 people in public workshops. The farm sits on the traditional homelands of the Washoe and Northern Paiute and occupies land Betsy Collin Donnelly donated to the county to remain open and agricultural.

Ending: Commissioners praised the farm's work and asked staff to study the request now that the existing south-pasture lease has lapsed. Langsdale said she will leave a detailed project proposal and letters of support with staff and follow up on grant applications contingent on land-use approval.