It Was Nevada - Tony Lesperance

. .

Résumé :
It Was Nevada is a hard hitting book following the adventures of Terry Hope from his earliest days, to his ultimate goal of working on a Nevada cattle ranch. Yet, fate has strange ways and Hope soon finds himself at the University of Nevada pursuing a master's degree in agriculture and just as suddenly he finds himself on the staff as an assistant professor. Hope soon realizes that Nevada agriculture is in jeopardy. Dirty politics, federal intervention and a host of other questionable factors are at work. He and his close Basque friend, Peio Pete Echegoyen gradually grow into strong positions at the University. Together, they set out to do their utmost to protect Nevada agriculture. Hope convinces the dean of agriculture that the university must seek out and obtain a working cattle ranch. It's now or never! The Nevada's livestock industry is under siege. The goal is obtained, but ultimately at a terrible cost to not only Hope, but Nevada agriculture as well. It Was Nevada sets the stage for what was historically the state's number one industry; it follows the industry's struggle to survive as Nevada changes from the most rural state in the union to the most urban. The reader also has a chance to peek at some of Nevada's more sinful sides. It's a wild ride through the pages of Nevada history, some true, some fictional - it's up to you to decide.

Biographie:
Dr. Lesperance worked for the University of Nevada for 25 years. During that period he taught numerous undergraduate and graduate classes. He published over 160 scientific and popular publications, served on countless committees at both Nevada and nationally. He directed well over thirty successful graduate programs. In his later years he developed the Gund Research and Demonstration Ranch, located in central Nevada. He retired from the University in 1995 with the highest possible academic standing, being named Emeritus Professor of Animal and Range Science. During his academic career he also served as Adjunct Professor, University of California, Davis, and Visiting Professor, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Since leaving the University, Lesperance and his wife, Nancy, have owned and operated a successful business in Elko Nevada, dealing in agriculture and hard rock reclamation for the Nevada Mining industry. Lesperance also served as a County Commissioner for Elko County and assumed a three year term Director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture. IN 1997, the Lesperance's purchased a small ranch in Paradise Valley located in northern Humboldt County. He is considered an expert in the production of native grass, utilizing nothing but snow melt water and nitrogen from the occasional thunderstorm.