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The Multi-County New Landowner Education program is a series of eight informational meetings, seminars, and field days designed to make new landowners in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington counties aware of what types of agricultural enterprises are best for their property.
The programs will be held on the third Friday of the months of August through November. Each month’s meeting will be held at different locations in one of the four counties. The meetings begin at 1:30 p.m. and will last between four and five hours depending on the topic and possible tour stops. The cost for the program is $20 per person per meeting. Continuing Education Units for pesticide applicators will be offered as they are applicable, according to a release. A selection of refreshments will be provided at each session.
Participants in the program will hear from experts in a variety of fields in agriculture about best management practices that can be implemented on their own property. This innovative program assists new landowners in understanding the concepts of rural living, according to a release. Participants in the program are given exposure to ideas on raising livestock and horses, plant identification, fence building, applying pesticides, soil testing, stock pond management, pond construction, fruit and nut production, rainwater harvesting, turf management, and much more. The program also serves as a way for new residents of the four counties to network and meet new people in their communities, find out what can be done on their land, what operations can be successful, and possibly what opportunities they have to serve the community, according to a release.
The following dates are schedule for the program: August 18 – Bees and Trees for Homeowners, September 15 – Horticulture Production – Fruit Trees, Pecans, and Grapes for Landowners, October 20 – Wildlife Management and Native Prairie Restoration, and November 17 – Emerging Issues for Rural Landowners.
The August meeting will take place on Friday, August 18 at the Immaculate Conception German Catholic Church-Parish Hall located at 15994 TX159 in Industry.
Beekeeping continues to be a hot topic, especially for medium to small acreage landowners. Before you jump in head-first and order the equipment and a hive of bees, come learn what to expect. Participants will hear from a local beekeeper about what it takes to raise honeybees in this area, some of the challenges they face, and what they’ve found to be good solutions. In addition to bees, we will take a portion of the afternoon to talk trees. The program said, in Texas and especially in our part of Texas, trees are a valuable commodity that landowners care about and strive to keep them healthy and vigorous. Participants will learn about tree biology, how to recognize common tree problems, and how to manage tree health. Program coordinators said, we will “leaf” no question unanswered, discussing planting, pruning, watering, fertilizer, insect, and disease control.
Two CEUs (1 General, 1 IPM) will be offered for all licensed pesticide applicators. The 2023 Multi-County New Landowner series is generously supported by Capital Farm Credit and WC Tractor!
Registration materials and more information can be found at washington. agrilife.org/nlo.
For more information, contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Austin County at 979865-2072, Colorado County at 979-732-2082, Fayette County at 979-968-5831, or Washington County at 979-277- 6212.
