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The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office is hosting a Multi-County New Landowner Education program to help new landowners be aware of what types of agricultural enterprises are best for their property.
The program is a series of eight informational meetings, seminars, and field days to help residents in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington Counties.
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 more.
A spokesperson for the AgriLife Extension Office said the program 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.
The programs will be held on the third Friday of the months of February- May, and August-November: April 21– Weed and Brush Control – Plant Identification and Control Recommendations for Common Weeds and Brush May 19– Forage and/or Livestock Production – Options for Small Acreage Operations Aug. 18 – Bees and Trees for Homeowners Sept. 15 – Horticulture Production – Fruit Trees, Pecans, and Grapes for Landowners Oct. 20– Wildlife Management and Native Prairie Restoration Nov. 17– Emerging Issues for Rural Landowners 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 series is $125 per person, $200 per couple for all seven meetings, $20 per person per meeting. Continuing Education Units for pesticide applicators will be offered as they are applicable.
The April 21 meeting will take place at the Immaculate Conception German Catholic Church-Parish Hall, 15994 Texas-159, in Industry.
According to a release, the goal of this session is to help landowners identify common weeds and brush species in our area. In addition to identifying problem species, the program will cover the ins and outs of why we have the weeds we do, how to determine the most effective treatment option, as well as covering a variety of herbicides and application methods for management and control of these plants.
This program will allow attendees to network with other new landowners and learn about resources that can be of great assistance to them in establishing and/or managing a pond for their property.
Attendees are welcome to bring a weed to have it identified. Plant samples need to be as fresh as possible; include leaves and roots, and flower (if applicable). Three CEUs (2 Gen, 1 IPM) will be available for licensed pesticide applicators.
Refreshments will be provided at each session. According to a release, participants who sign up for the entire series will receive a notebook at the beginning of the series to fill as we progress through the program with handouts and reference material that will be useful as they move forward with improvements on their property.
For more information, contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Austin County 979-8652072, Colorado County 979732-2082, Fayette County 979-968-5831, or Washington County 979-277-6212.
For registration materials and more information, visit washington.agrilife.org/ nlo.
