Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Jennifer Peterson, 979-862-8072, jlpeterson@ag.tamu.edu
SMITHVILLE – A Lone Star Healthy Streams workshop is set for Oct. 18 at the American Legion Hall, 145 American Legion Road in Smithville.
The workshop will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2:45 p.m. Registration is $10 if received by Oct. 16 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office, 901 Pecan St. in Bastrop, according to Rachel Bauer, AgriLife Extension agent in Bastrop County. Late registration is $20 at the door.
The cost includes a meal and all course materials, Bauer said. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Bastrop Ag Demonstration Fund. No cash will be accepted.
Three general continuing education credits will be provided for certified pesticide applicators through the Texas Department of Agriculture, said Jennifer Peterson, AgriLife Extension program specialist in College Station.
Workshop presentations will focus on basic watershed function, water quality and specific best management practices that can be implemented to help minimize bacterial contamination originating from beef cattle, horses and feral hogs, Peterson said.
The goal of the Lone Star Healthy Streams program is to educate Texas livestock producers and land managers on how to best protect Texas waterways from bacterial contributions associated with livestock production and feral hogs, she said.
Currently, about 300 Texas water bodies do not comply with state water quality standards established for E. coli bacteria, Peterson said. By participating in this workshop, livestock producers and landowners can learn about specific conservation practices that can be used to help improve and protect the quality of Texas water.
To RSVP, visit http://lshs.tamu.edu/workshops/ and click on the “workshops” tab or call Peterson at 979-862-8072.
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