AUSTIN – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present the first program in an educational series designed to strengthen the technical knowledge of the ranchette operator from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. April 30 at the Travis County East Service Center, 6011 Blue Bluff Road, Austin.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. for the multi-county program developed for new, absentee and small-acreage landowners throughout Central Texas.
“A number of Central Texas residents own and operate agricultural landholdings,” said Rachel Bauer, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources for Bastrop County. “Through classroom instruction on topics pertaining to ranch selection, establishment and management, these landowners can learn how to evaluate their land, better manage soil and water resources, and improve forage and livestock production efficiency.”
Julie Ansley, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Travis County, said the April 30 program will address land leasing, developing a farm business plan, landowner assistance programs, and finding a market and developing a marketing plan.
“There also will be an agricultural finance panel discussion within the program,” Ansley said.
She said instruction will be provided by AgriLife Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel.
Preregistration is $25 if received by April 28, and lunch is included with the program. The cost is $35 for registration after April 28 and on site.
More information and a registration form may be obtained by contacting the AgriLife Extension office in Travis County at 512-854-9610 or in Bastrop County at 512-581-7186, or by emailing Sue Carrasco at SACarrasco@ag.tamu.edu.
Send checks payable to “Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service” to either the AgriLife Extension office in Travis County, 1600-B Smith Road, Austin, TX 78721 or the AgriLife Extension office in Bastrop County, 901 Pecan St., Bastrop, TX 78602. Checks only; do not send cash.
Ansley said additional educational programs for new, absentee and small-acreage landowners will be held later in the year. Full series programming will offer a total of 18 hours of classroom instruction.
-30-