Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Michael Palmer, 325-625-4519, m-palmer@tamu.edu
COLEMAN – Anticipating an active prescribed fire season, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Coleman County will conduct the Coleman County Prescribed Burn Workshop on Dec. 18 at the Bill Franklin Center/Goree Expo Center in Coleman.
Michael Palmer, AgriLife Extension agent in Coleman County, said registration will start at 8:30 a.m. with the program running from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
“We’ve had some timely rains throughout the region and have grown some grass that will make prime fuel in many spots for what could prove to be a very successful winter prescribed burning season,” Palmer said. “With proper planning and execution, prescribed fire is undoubtedly the most cost effective-brush control management tool available.
“Our goal with this workshop is to update our producers on proper burning procedures while allowing them to become acquainted with some of the agency resources available to them should they decide to use this range-management tool.”
Individual registration is $15, payable upon arrival for those who RSVP by Dec. 15. The fee includes a noon meal. Late registration after Dec. 15 will be $20 with no meal guarantee. For more information or to RSVP, call the AgriLife Extension office at 325-625-4519.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered.
Topics and speakers include: Fire Ecology and Burn Plan – Need to Know, Dr. Morgan Russell, AgriLife Extension range specialist, San Angelo; Wildfire Mitigation and Defensible Space, Phillip Truitt, Texas Forest Service,Merkel; and U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Updates, Casey Spinks and Javier Garza, Coleman County NRCS.
“We’ll cap the day by conducting a demonstration burn to showcase the various burn types discussed during the workshop,” Palmer said.
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