Bo Kindred has spent almost 30 years turning guidance he received as a young man into sustained community service across Nevada, working behind the scenes to keep agricultural research running and spending evenings and weekends helping younger generations learn the skills they need to succeed.
Supporting research operations across the state
As assistant director for the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources’ Experiment Station, Kindred maintains research facilities, cares for livestock and oversees year-round operations that enable faculty and students to conduct applied studies. Those efforts are a critical, often unseen part of agricultural research that supports producers, extension work and statewide innovation.
Kindred traces his commitment to agriculture to his childhood in Pleasant Valley, California, where he raised pigs, cattle, chickens and horses. That early experience shaped both his practical skills and the values he brings to his work with the Experiment Station.
Mentoring students and student-athletes
Beyond his day job, Kindred has invested in young people as a long-time high school baseball coach. He describes mentorship as central to his approach:
"I enjoy being around students and being able to pass along knowledge, but more importantly, pass on life lessons that I’ve learned through my successes and failures," Kindred said. "You can learn a lot from someone by how they handle themselves, especially through their failures."
That commitment to passing along practical skills and personal lessons reflects a dual focus — ensuring the technical needs of research programs are met while also cultivating character and resilience among students and athletes.
- Role: Assistant director, Experiment Station (College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources)
- Service span: Nearly 30 years in mentorship and support roles
- Roots: Grew up in Pleasant Valley, California; early experience raising livestock
- Community work: High school baseball coach and mentor to students
| Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Research operations | Facility maintenance, livestock care, year-round support |
| Mentorship | Coaching, life lessons, student development |
Kindred’s work illustrates how roles that are often described as logistical or supportive are in fact central to the university’s mission. Keeping facilities functioning and animals healthy allows faculty projects to proceed and gives students hands-on learning that complements classroom instruction.
For communities across northern Nevada that rely on extension services and applied agricultural research, that on-the-ground support is practical and consequential. For the students who come through those programs and the athletes on the baseball diamond, Kindred’s approach to teaching about success and failure is a reminder that education extends far beyond formal curricula.
As the university continues to adapt to new research priorities and workforce needs, staff members who bridge technical support and mentorship will remain vital to sustaining both discovery and local talent development.
— Carmen Ortiz, News Block
