SAN ANGELO – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Tom Green County will conduct a series of four seminars for new small-acreage landowners during October and November.
All the seminars will be from 6-9 p.m. at the Tom Green 4-H Building located at 3168 U.S. Highway 67 North.
“The group we are targeting is mainly landowners who have purchased rural property for retirement, an alternative source of income or a lifestyle change,” said Steve Sturtz, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County. “Most don’t have an agricultural background or it is limited, so once they’ve bought the property, they wonder what to do with it.”
Sturtz said to gain the most from the series, participants should plan to attend all four seminars.
He said the series curriculum is based on landowners’ requests to his office and evaluations from a similar series held last year.
The seminar sessions are:
Session I, Oct. 12, Resource Inventory: Tips for small or new ranchers, rural law, agriculture/wildlife exemption, landowner liability and financing options. One Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit will be offered in the general category.
Session II, Oct. 19, Small Acreage Landowner Horticulture: Water quality, rainwater harvesting and solar and wind energy. Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered – one in the general category and one in the integrated pest management category.
Session III, Oct. 26, Livestock Enterprises for Small Acreage Landowners: Livestock options, range weed and brush control, and pesticide applicator requirements. Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing educations units will be offered – one integrated pest management, one general and one drift management.
Session IV, Nov. 2, Pasture Management: Small crop production, fertilization and weed control in forages and small grains. Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered – one integrated pest management and one general.
Individual pre-registration per session is $25 through Oct. 8, and $35 per session thereafter. A meal is included in the fee. Participants must notify the AgriLife Extension office in Tom Green County no later than the Thursday prior to the session they plan to attend.
To pre-register and for more information, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Tom Green County at 325-659-6524 or 659-6522.
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