Rural Health and Nutrition Initiative

In February 2021, Healthy Communities Coalition signed an agreement to lease the former Dayton Valley Aquaponics greenhouse facility in Dayton, Nevada, and the Rural Health & Nutrition Iniative (RHNI) was born. The greenhouse, a 30,000-square-foot facility with growing space, offices, and two kitchen/prep spaces, was the perfect facility to expand upon HCC’s commitment to food systems and food security in Western Nevada.

Getting started wasn’t easy. Nearly fifty volunteers from around the community stepped up to help prepare the facility for the first growing season. The ongoing contributions of time and expertise from our volunteer network keep the facility running. Thank you volunteers!

Currently, the RHNI is growing fresh fruits and vegetables for HCC’s three food pantries, farmers markets, and local restaurants and distributors. Future plans for RHNI include a commercial kitchen, vegetable nursery, community garden, cooking workshops, food demos, youth internship opportunities, and a summer workstudy program.

RHNI is a nonprofit, greenhouse-based farm with a vision for a rural Nevada where a data-driven approach and robust local food solutions alleviate food insecurity; where residents are educated and empowered to make decisions about their health; and where a systems approach encourages inclusive community participation in the food economy.