Interactive ‘walk with the experts’ approach offers hands-on learning
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Jesse Schneider, 432-729-4746, jlschneider@ag.tamu.edu
MARFA – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Presidio County will conduct an Interactive Plant Diagnostic Clinic from 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. July 2 in Marfa.
“We’ll start out in the Paisano Hotel Ballroom,” said Jesse Schneider, AgriLife Extension agent in Presidio County. “But I want to stress that this is a totally interactive program that will be full of live plant identification to test your skills along a walking tour with our AgriLife Extension specialists.”
Schneider urges prospective participants to bring plants and bugs along for a diagnosis or identification by the experts.
“This program is ideal for everybody ranging from beginner to the advanced horticulture enthusiast, Master Naturalist or home gardener,” Schneider said. “So come and test your skills while having the opportunity to ask questions of the specialists who are all leaders in their respective fields.”
Topics along with plant, tree and insect identification to be addressed during the day include Attracting Wildlife with Native Landscaping, Pests, Beneficials and Non-Pests and Dendrology is Fun!
The program will continue with a two-block walking tour led by experts who will offer practical landscaping tips and evaluations along the way, Schneider said.
Speakers joining Schneider will include Drs. Alyson McDonald and Mark Muegge, AgriLife Extension range specialist and entomologist respectively, both from Fort Stockton, and Oscar Mestas, Texas Forest Service regional urban forester, El Paso.
Take-home resources for participants will include handouts made from the day’s presentations along with the latest in Apps and social media.
“Please wear comfortable shoes and a hat, but above all, be prepared for warm temperatures during our walking tour, because afterall, this is summertime in Far West Texas,” Schneider said.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available for those with a valid private pesticide applicators license.
Individual registration is $10 payable upon arrival. No lunch will be provided.
For more information contact Schneider at 432-729-4746, jlschneider@ag.tamu.edu.
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