Multi-County New Land Owner Educational Series to Resume

The Multi-County New Landowner Education program is a series of eight informational meetings, seminars, and field days designed to make new landowners in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington Counties aware of what types of agricultural enterprises are best for their property.

Participants in the program will hear from experts in a variety of fields in agriculture about best management practices that can be implemented on their own property. This innovative program assists new landowners in understanding the concepts of rural living.

Participants in the program are given exposure to ideas on raising livestock and horses, plant identification, fence building, applying pesticides, soil testing, stock pond management, pond construction, fruit and nut production, rainwater harvesting, turf management, and much more.

The program also serves as a way for new residents of the four counties to network and meet new people in their communities, find out what can be done on their land, what operations can be successful, and possibly what opportunities they have to serve the community.

The programs will be held on the third Friday of the months of August through November. Each month’s meeting will be held at different locations in one of the four counties. The meetings begin at 1:30 p.m. and will last between 4 and 5 hours depending on the topic and possible tour stops. The cost for the program is $20 per person per meeting. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) for pesticide applicators will be offered as they are applicable. A great selection of refreshments will be provided at each session.

The October meeting, Wildlife Management and Native Prairie Restoration, for the 2023 series will take place on Friday, Oct. 20, at the Colorado County Fairgrounds located at 1146 Crossroads Boulevard in Columbus. This program session is designed for anyone interested in wildlife tax valuation on their property and native grass restoration work.

Participants will hear from our Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologists on how to successfully convert property to a wildlife valuation and how to manage the property moving forward. Participants will also have speakers from the Ceasar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute discuss the Do’s and Don’ts of Native Grass Transition, as well as local landowners who have done restoration work on their properties share their stories of success and learning obstacles.

Resources for landowners wishing to convert their property to Native Grasses will be provided. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity. Two General CEUs will be offered for all licensed pesticide applicators.

The 2023 Multi-County New Landowner series is generously supported by Capital Farm Credit and WC Tractor.

For more information, please contact the TexasA&M AgriLife Extension Office in Austin County (979) 8652072, Colorado County (979) 732-2082, Fayette County (979) 968-5831, or Washington County (979) 277-6212). Registration materials and more information can also be found online at washington. agrilife.org/nlo.