Howdy!
As we move into March and the start of another busy season, we’re pleased to share a lineup of educational opportunities designed to support your production efforts. From hands‑on workshops and market outlook updates, to field demonstrations and producer trainings, we are excited to showcase a variety of programs. We invite you to join us in continuing to strengthen Texas agriculture through learning, connection, and practical tools you can put to work on your own operation.
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Sonora Research Station 110th Anniversary Celebration
Rangeland Resilience - Here, There, and Yonder
The Sonora Research Station invites producers and community members to celebrate its 110th Anniversary with a special event recognizing the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Attendees will enjoy a full day of learning and connection, featuring informative presentations, including an update on the new world screwworm, along with guided tours, hands‑on exhibits, and topic areas spanning livestock and wildlife management, predation control, prescribed fire, soil ecology, avian research, and the uses of native plants. With a lively “county fair” atmosphere, the event will offer engaging booths, local exhibits, and family‑friendly activities that highlight the station’s history and the ongoing importance of rangeland resilience. Join the celebration on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sonora Research Station, 395 County Road 760, Sonora, Texas.
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A Passion for People and Numbers
Caroline Gleaton to retire after 47 years with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
By Blair Fannin, February 26, 2026
People helping people. That mantra shared throughout the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is one that has instilled Caroline Gleaton’s 47-year career as administrative coordinator in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Agricultural Economics.
Gleaton, who will retire Feb. 28, has worked with some of Texas’ most prominent agricultural economists, foremost Carl Anderson, Ph.D, who for decades was considered one of the nation’s leading cotton analysts until his passing in 2014. Gleaton continued working with the current team of John Robinson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension cotton marketing economist, and Mark Welch, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension small grains marketing economist.
And most notably, she maintains one of the most extensive cotton marketing databases in the country. Amid trade deficits and high production costs, Gleaton captures market information into the database each week in addition to sending out Robinson’s weekly cotton market update.
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Cultivating Knowledge:
Upcoming Programs
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CenterPoint Accounting for Agriculture Training
Strong financial records are essential for producers to make informed, confident management decisions in this increasingly complex ag economy.
This CenterPoint accounting software training empowers farmers and ranchers with clearer accounting practices through hands‑on learning in fundamentals, transactions, and financial analysis.
The goal of the class is for participants to learn and use CenterPoint effectively for improved record‑keeping accuracy and strengthened financial management capabilities.
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- Canyon, Texas
- March 10, 2026
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Concho Valley Grazing Lands Coalition Principles B4 Practices Workshop
Today’s rangeland and livestock operations face increasing pressure to stay productive and sustainable, making practical, research‑based management strategies more essential than ever.
This hands-on workshop connects producers with industry experts to explore practical strategies in soil health, grazing management, drought preparedness, and current leadership insights. Participants will also tour key features of the Rocker B Ranch to include that of its history, management sites, and both past and present practices; in turn, gaining real‑world examples and tools to immediately apply and strengthen their own operations.
- Barnhart, Texas
- March 13, 2026
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The Range Exchange Webinar Series
The Range Exchange Webinar Series offers quarterly, research driven updates on range and pasture management, featuring expert presentations and interactive Question and Answer sessions.
Each webinar highlights practical strategies for vegetation and herbicide management, giving producers timely insights they can apply directly to their operations. Participants can also earn one CEU per live session toward their Texas pesticide applicator license.
Virtual and Held Quarterly on Tuesdays,
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
March 17, May 12, September 15, and December 15, 2026
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DFW Fresh Trays: Farm to School Producer Training
Dallas/Fort Worth area farmers, ranchers, and food producers are invited to join the FRESH TRAYS Farm to School Producer Training, a hands on workshop designed to help you tap into school markets seeking fresh, local products.
This $40 training provides practical guidance on choosing the right products, connecting with school buyers, and supporting healthier communities through Texas grown foods. Limited seating is available, and lunch and all supplies are included.
- Garland, Texas
- March 23, 2026
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2026 Feed Grain Marketing Plan Workshop
Sponsored by United Ag & Turf of Waco, the 2026 Feed Grain Marketing Plan Workshop will bring a full day of programming covering budgets and breakevens, farm policy decisions, risk management tools, weather and climate insights, and a market outlook session led by Dr. Mark Welch. The workshop also features a producer‑focused finance and marketing panel along with sponsored breakfast and lunch. Pre‑registration is not required, so producers are welcome to come as their schedules allow on March 24 at the McLennan County Extension Office in Waco.
McLennan County Extension Office
4224 Cobbs Drive, Waco, Texas
March 24, 2026
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference
Effective stewardship in the Edwards Plateau begins with tailored knowledge that helps landowners protect their land for the future. Supported by the Bennett Trust endowment, this program delivers expert‑led, region‑specific education through conferences covering brush control, prescribed fire, water management, estate planning, livestock management, and broader natural resource stewardship.
Whether you’re new to the land or carrying on a family legacy, the Bennett Land Stewardship Program equips participants with practical tools to sustainably manage and preserve the unique natural resources of the Edwards Plateau.
- Kerrville, Texas
- April 9-10, 2026
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David McKnight '73 Ranch Management University
New and inexperienced landowners need clear, practical guidance to protect their land, their investment, and their legacy.
This intensive 4‑day short course empowers participants through applied learning, expert-led instruction, and numerous curated resources covering everything from soil health and cattle management to Texas ag law, wildlife stewardship, water systems, and forage.
At the conclusion of the course, landowners will be able to walk away with 3 CEU credits and practical, hands‑on knowledge to immediately apply to their own piece of Texas. Ultimately, participants strengthen long‑term productivity, sustainability, and stewardship of their operation.
- College Station, Texas
- April 13-17, 2026
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2026 Operational Ready Exercise (ORE)
The 2026 Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE) offers hands on, scenario based training that prepares participants for real world, all hazards animal emergency response operations.
Attendees will gain practical experience in animal sheltering, staging management, equipment operation, and biosecurity practices while collaborating in interactive exercises that strengthen coordination and preparedness. This intensive, multi‑day training equips responders with the skills needed to protect animals, responders, and the public during emergency events.
- Amarillo, Texas
- April 20-23, 2026
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Urban and Municipal Parks Workshops
Producers and community partners can take advantage of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Urban and Municipal Parks Workshop Series, which offers practical, research‑based training for improving parks, trails, and community green spaces. These workshops provide hands‑on guidance in areas such as park planning, maintenance strategies, community engagement, and grant writing. With programs coming to Canyon and Wimberly during March and April, local leaders, volunteers, and practitioners have the opportunity to work together to strengthen public outdoor spaces.
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Dr. Mark Welch releases a Feed Grain Outlook weekly to provide producers with timely analysis of the forces shaping today’s corn and feed‑grain markets. Each newsletter contains two sections. The first, “Market Situation” covers supply and demand revisions, weather, and macroeconomic forces influencing prices. In the second section, “Marketing Strategies”, a sample marketing plan is presented from the standpoint of a feed grain producer in response to what is happening in the market situation. All of this directed at providing Texas feed grain producers with a data‑driven analysis of market conditions to help guide decision‑making around the challenges of production and price risk management.
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