Master Gardener orchard, program facing cutbacks in funding

As literal crops begin to blossom, officials say future funding tills may face added foes.

The 1.5-acre orchard, 4600 Horse Drive, near Decatur Boulevard and Horse Drive, is used for fruit and plant life research and demonstrations under desert climates. The varieties and methods tested often lead to area farmers markets and use on local farms.

But an estimated 60 percent reduction in funding for the 2011-12 fiscal year slashed staff positions and programs, one of which linked orchard goods to Strip restaurant plates. A required 25 percent deduction in salaries for faculty spurred one longtime orchard manager, Bob Morris, to opt for early retirement.

"He’s one of a kind," said his former orchard colleague Douglas Taylor. "He’s possibly the best in the country."

Morris, horticulturist, irrigation expert and weekly gardening columnist for View Neighborhood Newspapers, stepped down as orchard manager in June 2011. He now volunteers at the orchard and is looking to establish nonprofit status for it in hope of yielding more funding.

"When you look at it, the orchard is under the gun," he said. "It’s a possibility we could lose it altogether."

Cooperative Extension Southern Area Director Jerry Buk said complete closure of the orchard is not imminent.

"There is a chance that we could lose any program we have in Cooperative Extension, but the orchard is no more at risk than others, and it’s not being targeted," he said.

The 2012 budget crunch reduced Cooperative Extension staff by five full-time positions, Buk said.

The orchard was opened as a test and study site about 17 years ago, and the land is shared by the University of Nevada Las Vegas Center for Urban Horticulture and Water Conservation. The educational entities lease the parcel from the city of North Las Vegas.

Morris estimated that the orchard needs about $75,000 a year to survive. It takes in between $6,000 to 10,000 a year in sales of crops ranging from grapes and hops to berries and root vegetables. But such drastic cutbacks — Morris said it was about a 60 percent loss — put a strain on operations.

At least two programs, including the Producer to Chef program, were nixed, and once-free public gardening programs are now offered for a required donation, he said.

The orchard now relies on more volunteers, Morris included, to keep research growing.

"We’re asking people to do more with less, and some of that less is of their own salary," Buk said.

Cooperative Extension staffers Angela O’Callaghan and M.L. Robinson have been asked to take on larger roles at the orchard, he said. Budget shortfalls expected in 2012-13 also mean the pair have been asked to do so under a 25 percent reduced salary. One part-time position at the orchard is expected to be eliminated, as well, Buk said.

The full-time position of orchard manager, held by Jonathan Chodacki, who worked under Morris’ tutelage for four years, isn’t expected to be affected, Buk added.

Another issue for orchard operation may get wet and wild, Morris said.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Urban Horticulture and Water Conservation has asked the orchard to cut back water use by 50 percent, Morris said.

"It’s impossible for us to do that at the orchard," he said. "We already are conserving so much water."

Morris said he is working with the center and city of North Las Vegas to secure more water.

"We’re in the process of finding some water we can lease so we can survive," he said.

Despite changes and reductions, Taylor said the public is still welcome to utilize and explore the orchard.

Warmer weather has led to earlier blooms of many plants, he said, and new research of growing grapes in wine bottles is under way.

"It’s a great place for locals to come and get hands-on advice about what they’re doing and how they can implement what we’re doing to their property," he said. "Everything has been leaned down, but the orchard is still doing really well. We’re continuously trying to push forward."

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.