NDA announces new Plant Industry division administrator

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) recently announced Jennifer Ott as its new Plant Industry division administrator. Ott comes to the NDA from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where she served as operations director for the Desert Farming Initiative for four years.

Prior to her service at UNR, Ott was a consultant with the Nevada Small Business Development Center and began her career in a laboratory setting, first as a chemist and later as a director.

“Jennifer’s background in agriculture and contacts within the industry are an invaluable asset to our mission of protecting food, fiber and human health and safety,” NDA Director Jim Barbee said. “We are happy to add her experience in diverse areas of agriculture to our Plant Industry team.”

Ott also serves on the Nevada Small Farm Conference planning committee and has served as vice president of the NevadaGrown Board of Directors. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from UNR and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.