Advanced Training Updates

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service of Randall County
will offer a three-part Urban Ranchers/Small Acreage Short Course series beginning this spring,
J.D. Ragland, AgriLife Extension agent.

These educational programs will be held on
April 15,
May 20
June 17
All programs will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension office at 200 N. Brown Road in Canyon.

This program is specifically designed for all small acreage landowners (3-10 acres) to learn how to better manage and maximize production of their property, Ragland said. Each series will feature presentations from guest speakers who are experts in their fields.

April 15 program, “The Importance of Knowing your Soil Type”
Dr. Clay Robinson, West Texas A&M University professor of plant and soil science,
who will also include recommendations for applying proper fertilization.
Also Dr. Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, whose topic is
The second topic for the day is “Establishing Various Native Grasses.”
McCollum will introduce various types of native grasses
and provide recommendations for establishing and managing each.

May 20 meeting, "Irrigation and Water Management",
Nicholas Kenny, AgriLife Extension irrigation specialist, will present
and offer ideas for low water-use plants for small acreage landowners.
The second topic for the day is “Pesticide Safety Requirements and Regulations,”
presented by Levon Harman of the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Harman will cover all aspects of laws and regulations pertaining to applying pesticides and/or herbicides.

June 17 program will highlight “Establishing Wildlife Habitat for Small Acres.”
Ken Cearley, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist
will discuss the different types of wildlife that could be established on small acreage areas,
along with necessary plant species needed for maintaining various types of fowl.
The second topic for the day is “Developing Rainwater Harvesting Units.”
Robin Garrison, AgriLife Extension urban programs coordinator for Randall County,
will present and demonstrate how to construct these types of systems.

The cost will be a onetime fee of $20 per participant
which can be paid at the first program meeting.
Attendance space is limited to 50.
Interested participants must RSVP
through the AgriLife Extension office on or before March 15.

For more information and to RSVP, call the AgriLife Extension in Randall County at 806-468-5543.

Texas Panhandle Audubon Society

March 10, 2010 - 7 pm. Wednesday evening, at the Central (downtown) Amarillo Library,
Texas Panhandle Audubon Society is hosting a program on Bats
presented by Dr. Ray Matlack,
professor of wildlife biology at WT.

30 APR through 2 MAY - 2010 Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge
Mark your calendars now for a trip in-the-works for next year (2010) 30 APR through 2 MAY Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge: The Wichitas are located in SW Oklahoma and this NWR is one of the oldest in the nation. The largest breeding population of the federally endangered Black-capped Vireo occurs here, and although they are most reliably seen beginning in mid-May, we may see some early arrivals on Elk Mountain Trail. In any case, the whole area is "plenty birdy." We will bird the refuge and also nearby Hackberry Flats. Onsite accommodations will include a tent-camping group campsite reserved exclusively for our trip participants with picnic area and shelter (shelter has electric) at a shared total cost of $30 per night. Or you may choose a hotel in Lawton. (4 hotel options are: Baymont Inn, 1203 NW 40th - $93 + tax - 580-353-5581; Hampton Inn & Suites, 2610 NW Cache Rd - $124 + tax - 580-355-8200; Springhill Suites, 3 SE Interstate Dr - $126 + tax - 580-248-8200; Holiday Inn Express, 209 SE Interstate Dr - $126 + tax - 580-248-4446; All four hotels offer some of the following discounts: AARP, AAA, Seniors, and retired military.) Local birders Kurt and Sharon Meisenzahl will be our guides. Leader: Billie Shalvey
This trip may not qualify for advanced points - Contact Susan or Ginger for details