Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Lisa Brown, 325-396-4787, lbrown@ag.tamu.edu
MENARD – A hands-on rain barrel and water conservation workshop has been set from 9 a.m-noon Aug. 3 at the Murchison/Whitehead Memorial Youth Complex located just off U.S. Highway 190 West in Menard.
The workshop is being conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, said Lisa Brown, the agency’s agriculture and natural resources agent for Menard County.
“We continue to get good rains, but in West Texas, it’s never too early to start planning for the next dry-spell,” Brown said. “Billy Kniffen from right here in Menard, arguably the most knowledgeable rainwater harvesting expert in Texas, will conduct the workshop.
As rainwater harvesting gains in popularity, many homeowners are installing systems such as this unit. To learn more, including how to construct a basic system, attend the Rain Barrel, Water Conservation Workshop Aug. 3 in Menard. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Steve Byrns)
“He practices what he preaches, living in a home dependent on rainwater catchment as their sole water source. Though retired, his professional career was with AgriLife Extension, so he’s an old pro at teaching. In my opinion, this will be one of the best educational programs on the topic around and well worth attending, even if you have to travel some, because the knowledge will be coming straight from the source.”
Brown said the workshop will be very visual and will focus on a “learning by doing” curriculum.
The workshop will include talks and demonstrations featuring drip irrigation, wicking beds, keyhole gardening, tippy-tap hand washing, mulching, and gallon jug bird and wildlife watering.
Individual registration is $25, which will include a rain barrel and materials.
For more information, contact Brown at 325-396-4787, lbrown@ag.tamu.edu . -30-
