Rod Santa Ana is a native of McAllen, Texas where he resides with his wife. He has been a communications specialist with the Texas A&M University System since 1988. Prior to joining Texas A&M, Rod worked in broadcast news throughout South Texas, including several years as a TV news director and anchor at the NBC affiliate in Laredo, KGNS-TV.

Rainwater harvesting class set April 20 in San Benito

Experts: Drought a good time to talk conservation SAN BENITO—The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Water Resources Institute are hosting a rainwater harvesting class April 20 in San Benito. The class will be 9 a.m. to noon at the AgriLife Extension office for Cameron County, 1390 W. Expressway 83. Lilian Mezquida, AgriLife [...]

Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership to hold meeting April 25

Growers’ incentive programs, funding will be reviewed WESLACO–The Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board have scheduled a meeting April 25 to update agricultural producers on state and federal incentive programs, according to an official with the Texas Water Resources Institute. The meeting will be held from 9-11 a.m. [...]

Two workshops slated in April for small-acreage producers

Potential growers will learn how to sell to businesses, farmers markets WESLACO –  Two workshops will be held this month for small-acreage farmers who want to sell their produce to either retail or wholesale outlets, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. “There’s been an explosion in the number of people here in [...]

South Texas drought taking its toll on cattle ranchers

Some using 18th century technique to keep herds healthy RIO GRANDE CITY  –  The unrelenting drought is taking its toll on South Texas cattle ranchers who are resorting to a centuries-old emergency method of feeding cattle, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent. “Ranchers down here commonly refer to it as ‘chamuscando,’ the [...]

Organic pest control seminar slated March 15 in Edinburg

EDINBURG  –  The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will sponsor the Small-Farm Seminar from 9 a.m – noon March 15 at their Hidalgo County office at 410 N. 13th Ave.in Edinburg. Cost of the program is $10, payable at the door. The entire program will be devoted to helping organic producers who face special challenges [...]

Weslaco workshop to address alternative orchard crops and small-farm loans

Alternative crops include pomegranate, fig, blackberry and papaya WESLACO  –  The Orchard Crops and Small-Farm Loans Workshop will be held from 9 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. March 21 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 2401 E. Highway 83 in Weslaco. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., according to Barbara Storz, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension [...]

Beached whale brought lessons and stress

Melon-headed whale likely died of parasites SOUTH PADRE ISLAND   –  Pushing beached marine mammals back out to sea can pose health risks to humans, violates federal law and can actually do the animal more harm than good, according to marine experts who took part in a recent effort to save a distressed whale at South [...]

Homeowners asked to help with citrus greening disease

Public meeting on vector control slated March 7 SAN JUAN –  A meeting to discuss the threat of citrus greening disease to a way of life in South Texas will be held from 6-8 p.m. March 7 at the San Juan Memorial Library, 1010 S. Standard St.in San Juan, according to Barbara Storz, a Texas A&M [...]

South Texas soil testing campaign extended until March 31

WESLACO  –  The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s soil testing campaign for the Lower Rio Grande Valley has been extended until March 31 to allow agricultural producers more time to get their soil tested, according to agency officials. Growers in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties are encouraged to take part in the no-cost soil testing [...]

Salinas appointed 4-H and youth development agent in Cameron County

WESLACO  –  Roxanna Salinas has been named the Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program’s 4-H and youth development agent in Cameron County, according to Dr. Ruben Saldana, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service administrator in Weslaco. Salinas assumed her duties Jan. 15, and will work with her colleagues at the AgriLife Extension offices of [...]