NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BY: Stacie M. Villarreal, MS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
County Extension Agent – Agriculture/Natural Resources
SUBJECT: Small Farms & Vegetable Conference- February 25th
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The Horticulture Committee of Austin County in partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office of Austin County will be hosting a Small Farms & Vegetable Conference on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the American Legion Post #442 located at 1630 Meyer St, Sealy. Program Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the first presentation beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Information to be covered includes Alternative Pesticide Management for the Garden, Recognizing & Managing Vegetable Diseases, Spring Vegetables & Pest that Accompany Them, Pesticides & Honeybees, and an update on Pesticide Laws & Regulations. Presenters include Stephen Brueggerhoff, Cary Sims, Dr. Kevin Ong, Dr. Don Renchie, and Boone Holladay all with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
The program will cost $35.00 per person and will include lunch, so please RSVP to the Austin County Extension office or online at Austin.agrilife.org to reserve your seat.
If you have any questions, please contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent Stacie Villarreal at 979-865-2072.
Stacie M. Villarreal, MS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
County Extension Agent- Agriculture & Natural Resource │Austin County
____________________________________________________________________________
NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BY: Stacie M. Villarreal, MS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
County Extension Agent – Agriculture/Natural Resources
SUBJECT: Multi-County New Landowner Educational Series – 3rd Friday of February-May & August – November
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The Multi-County New Landowner Education program is a series of 7 informational meetings, seminars, and field days designed to make new landowners in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, & Washington Counties aware of what types of agricultural enterprises are best for their property. 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. 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.
The programs will be held on the third Friday of the months of February through May (no program in April) and August through November. Each month’s meeting will be held at different locations in one of the four counties. The meetings begin at 1:30pm and will last between 4 and 5 hours depending on the topic and possible tour stops. The cost for the program series is $125.00 per person, $200.00 per couple for all seven meetings, $20.00 per person per meeting. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) for pesticide applicators will be offered as they are applicable. A great selection of refreshments will be provided at each session. 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.
February 18th – Introduction and Program Overview – Ag & Wildlife Valuations
March 18th – Weed & Brush Control – Plant Identification and Control Recommendations for Common Weeds and Brush
April 15th – NO CLASS
May 20th – Pond Management – Construction, Aquatic Weed Control, and Stocking
August 19th – Horticulture Production – Fruit Trees, Pecans, and Grapes for Landowners
September 16th – Forage &/or Livestock Production – Options for Small Acreage Operations
October 21st – Wildlife Management and Native Prairie Restoration
November 18th – Bees and Trees for Homeowners
February Program – Introduction (Ag/Wildlife Tax Valuation) – Cat Spring Agriculture Hall
The first meeting for the 2022 series will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022 at the Cat Spring Agriculture Hall located at 13035 hall Road in Cat Spring. Our initial session will provide an overview of the program, share information for local resources, and provide participants with an opportunity to learn more about the fundamentals of getting started with managing their property. Representatives from the County Appraisal District Offices in each county will also be on hand for individual county breakout sessions to help answer questions related to Ag/Wildlife Tax Valuation for participants. This is a great opportunity to network with other new landowners and learn about resources that can be of great assistance to you in establishing an agricultural or wildlife exemption for your property. One CEU (1 Gen) will be available for licensed pesticide applicators. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity!
For more information, please contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Austin County (979-865-2072), Colorado County (979-732-2082), Fayette County (979-968-5831), or Washington County (979-277-6212). Registration materials and more information can also be found on our website, https://washington.agrilife.org/nlo
Stacie M. Villarreal, MS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
County Extension Agent- Agriculture & Natural Resource │Austin County
____________________________________________________________________________
Date: January 21, 2022
NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BY: Stacie M. Villarreal, MS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
County Extension Agent – Agriculture/Natural Resources
SUBJECT: Private Application Trainings for 2022
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If you plan on using a state limited use or state restricted use pesticide, such as Grazon P+D, 2 4-D, Weedmaster, etc., and need a license, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service will be hosting several Private Applicator Training during 2022 at the Austin County Extension Office. Books and study materials for the course may to be purchased ahead of time at the Extension Office for $40.00. A registration fee of $10.00 will be charged for the training. The registration fee will include the training and additional study materials. The training will begin at 1pm and conclude about 5pm, on the following days:
- Friday, February 4, 2022
- Friday, May 6, 2022
- Friday, August 5, 2022
- Thursday, November 3, 2022
The Texas Department of Agriculture who over sees the testing and administration of Applicator Licensing has contracted with PSI Services to administer the exam for agriculture pesticide applicator licensing. Applicants will coordinate testing with PSI at one of their 22 locations around Texas. Details on the process, locations, cost, and other pertinent information will be provided at the training to help applicants complete the licensing process. Once an applicant has completed the training and pass the exam with a score of 70 or above, they will you will be eligible to apply for your Private Applicator License, which will allow you to purchase all state limited use and restricted use pesticides used in agriculture.
Important: If an applicant has any questions about licensing or exam categories, please contact TDA at 1-800-835-5832 or 512-463-7622. Texas Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Pesticide Program P.O. Box 12847 Austin, TX 78711.
If you have any questions, please contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent Stacie Villarreal at 979-865-2072.
Stacie M. Villarreal, MS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
County Extension Agent- Agriculture & Natural Resource │Austin County
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Date: January 21, 2022
NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BY: Stacie M. Villarreal, MS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
County Extension Agent – Agriculture/Natural Resources
SUBJECT: Small Farms & Vegetable Conference- February 25th
______________________________________________________________________________
The Horticulture Committee of Austin County in partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office of Austin County will be hosting a Small Farms & Vegetable Conference on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the American Legion Post #442 located at 1630 Meyer St, Sealy. Program Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the first presentation beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Information to be covered includes Alternative Pesticide Management for the Garden, Recognizing & Managing Vegetable Diseases, Spring Vegetables & Pest that Accompany Them, Pesticides & Honeybees, and an update on Pesticide Laws & Regulations. Presenters include Stephen Brueggerhoff, Cary Sims, Dr. Kevin Ong, Dr. Don Renchie, and Boone Holladay all with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
The program will cost $35.00 per person and will include lunch, so please RSVP to the Austin County Extension office or online at Austin.agrilife.org to reserve your seat.
If you have any questions, please contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent Stacie Villarreal at 979-865-2072.
Stacie M. Villarreal, MS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
County Extension Agent- Agriculture & Natural Resource │Austin County
