Despite Nevada’s arid climate, agriculture is one of the state’s paramount industries, wielding significant influence over the economies of rural communities and the state at large. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, 3,122 farms spread across the state’s expanses. These farms boast an average size of nearly 2,000 acres each. Not surprisingly, the top ag product is range livestock, with key crops consisting of alfalfa hay, potatoes, barley, wheat, rye, oats, vegetables, mint, garlic, and onions.
It feels right to celebrate this kind of impact on the state with a specialty license plate dedicated to Nevada agriculture.
Redesigned in 2014 by Nevada’s FFA Foundation, the plate features the state’s Buy Nevada emblem, which representing food and agricultural products grown in the state, and the FFA and 4-H logos. With a background that reveals fields and mountains, it boldly states, “Agriculture: People Grow Things Here,” at the bottom. License plate sales benefit agricultural education and the promotion of the state’s agricultural industry.
Specialty agriculture plates are available from Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicle offices. The initial fee for the plate is $61, and each year costs an annual fee of $30. Plates can also be personalized for $96. Out of the initial fee, $25 will support the Nevada FFA Foundation and promotional efforts by the Nevada Department of Agriculture (Buy Nevada). In the following years, $20 of the renewal will support these efforts.
The 2014 plate isn’t the first agricultural specialty plate in the state. In 2001, a plate was also designed by John Duffie of Minden and sponsored by the Nevada Agriculture Council and the Nevada FFA. The 2001 plate depicted a cowboy holding a calf, looking out into the mountains.
In Nevada, livestock ranches dot the landscape of every county, with cattle and sheep husbandry particularly thriving in the northeastern region. The poultry and dairy sectors, emblematic of the “Silver State,” are primarily concentrated around Las Vegas and Reno.
Rodeo is also a part of Nevada’s heritage. Each year, over 140,000 fans flock to the Reno Rodeo, known as the “richest” Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association tour rodeo in the country. Another 140,000 people attend the annually “sold out” Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, where 13 million viewers watch the finals broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2.
Another ag-centric plate that the state offers is the Rodeo State Charitable License Plate. Sales from this bold, purple plate featuring a cowboy on horseback provide funding for the Reno Rodeo Foundation and the Nevada State High School Rodeo Association.