SAN ANTONIO – Farmers and ranchers can benefit from numerous educational opportunities during the San Antonio International Farm and Ranch Show Nov. 8-9 at the Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall, 3201 E. Houston St., San Antonio, said event coordinators.
“We’ll have many free programs that will provide continuing education units or credits,” said Bryan Davis, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources in Wilson County, and show education program coordinator.
A total of nine Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units – in general, laws and regulations, and integrated pest management — for private pesticide applicators will be offered.
Sessions offering department of agriculture credits include a pre-show program on Texas Department of Agriculture laws and regulations, lake and pond management and predator management. Other sessions offering credits will include farming in the 21st century, managing winter forages, feral hog control and weed and brush identification using digital resources.
An agriculture workshop for veterans, a livestock show clinic for FFA and 4-H youth and an American Competitive Trail Horse Association obstacle challenge also will be offered.
There also will be a private applicator training and testing from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Nov. 9, with a Texas Department of Agriculture representative present to administer a post-training test.
Those interested in taking this training should call Angel Torres at the AgriLife Extension office in Bexar County at 210-467-6575 to preregister. The cost is $50, and includes the training, materials and test.
Davis said most educational sessions will be 45-90 minutes long, depending on the subject matter.
Presentations will be ongoing throughout the show, beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 8 with the pre-show program. Instruction will be presented by personnel from AgriLife Extension, the Texas Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Texas AgrAbility program, the trail horse association and others.
“The show is a great opportunity for education as well as to see the latest in farm and ranch equipment, technology and services,” said founder Lyle Larson.
“The San Antonio International Farm and Ranch Show is a terrific choice due to its free admission, inexpensive parking, central geographical location, ongoing trade show, industry symposium and its many informational and educational offerings,” he said.
Larson added that the show also will offer family-oriented entertainment, including the Texas Tractor Pulling Extravaganza, to be held at 7:30 p.m. both evenings in the coliseum.
Additionally, an event trade show will be open from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. both days, and a wine tasting and food pairing will be presented at 6 p.m. Nov. 8.
To preregister for the Nov. 9 private applicator training and for more information on educational opportunities offered at the show, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Bexar County at 210-467-7575 or email Davis at by-davis@tamu.edu .
For more information, go to: http://www.farmandranchexpo.com or call 210-226-1177.
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