Want to show pigs?? Learn more about it

Here is a great opportunity for all those thinking about getting into showing pigs. Come learn what it will take to raise a pig to show!

Got Honey??

Texas Well Owner Network Training

Weatherford – Anyone interested in private water-well management in Parker and surrounding counties is invited to the free Texas Well Owner Network training Oct. 2 in Weatherford.

The training will be held from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center, 1400 Texas Dr., said Drew Gholson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and network coordinator, College Station.

“The Texas Well Owner Network program is for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs,” Gholson said. “Well owners who want to become familiar with Texas’ groundwater resources, septic system maintenance, well maintenance and construction, water quality and water treatment will benefit from this training.”

Attendance is limited, so attendees are requested to register at twon.tamu.edu/training or by calling 979-845-1461 as soon as possible.

Gholson said the training is one of 14 trainings being conducted statewide through the Preventing Water Quality Contamination through the Texas Well Owner Network project.

“The core content of this program is the same as other trainings, but the information is tailored to local water quality issues and aquifers,” he said.

Gholson said more than 1 million private water wells in Texas provide water to citizens in rural areas and increasingly to those living on small acreages at the growing rural-urban interface. 

“Private well owners are independently responsible for monitoring the quality of their wells,” he said. “They are responsible for ensuring their drinking water is safe. They are responsible for all aspects of the water system—testing, inspecting, maintaining—and this training will help private well owners to understand and care for their wells.”

Funding for Texas Well Owner Network project is through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The project is managed by the Texas Water Resources Institute, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.

We will also be hosting a Water Well Screening in Wise County at the Womens Building at the Sheriff’s Posse Grounds in Decatur, Tx. on October 30-31^st. We will take water samples on the 30^th with an educational program will be provided for well owners to better interpret their results at pickup on October the 31^st at 5:30 p.m.  The program will run about an hour so everyone will have time for Trick or Treat that evening.  Participants can have their water well samples screened for $15, with payment due when samples are dropped off.

We invite private well owners to bring in a water sample to be screened for nitrate, total dissolved solids, arsenic and bacteria.

Well owners who would like to have their well water sampled can pick up the two sample containers – one bag and one bottle – at Wise County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office prior to October 30th.

After filling each bottle and bag with a sample from their well, participants should bring the two samples to the Wise County Extension Office on Oct. 30^th.  Two sample bags are needed for Well water analysis for E. coli bacteria will be done by the City of Fort Worth Water Department Laboratory and for nitrate, arsenic and total dissolved solids screening.

Be watching for more information about the Wise County Water Well Screening program as we finalize specific times for you to deliver your samples to the Wise County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office.  For more information contact the office at 940/627-3394.

Extension Education Clubs and Greenwood Fall Festival

Extension Education Clubs and Greenwood Fall Festival

Wise County Extension Education Clubs were represented at the annual (Texas Extension Education Association) State Convention in San Marcos, September 10-11 by Bobbie Ashley, Linda Hood, and Dixie Range of the Greenwood Extension Education Club. ‘We believe in the sanctity of the home” was the theme of the two day conference. Keynote speaker, Dr. Stephen Green, Associate Professor and Extension Child Development Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service spoke on the importance of home and family.

TEEA members also attended workshops, education programs, and AgriLife programs at the Embassy Suites Conference Center which will be shared with TEEA Clubs and counties.

Texas TEEA includes more than 7,000 members. The group's mission is to work with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to strengthen and enrich families through educational programs, leadership development and community service.

The new year for Extension Education clubs begins soon and new members are welcome. Clubs currently formed are in the community of Greenwood. As an EE member you make new friends, participate in fun, fellowship and educational programs.

The first activity for the new TEEA year is the Greenwood Fall Festival which is scheduled for Saturday, October 12 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Everyone is invited to enjoy a parade beginning at 10:00 am and immediately following the parade, handcrafted arts and craft booths will be open. Featured activities will be children’s train rides, food and game booths and door prizes. Booth space is available for $10 by contacting Gerry Galloway at 940/466-7997 or Marilynn Collins at 940/627-5175.

For those unsure of finding Greenwood, it is a short, scenic drive out of Decatur on Highway 51 North for 10 miles to FM 1204, turn left and travel approximately five miles into the community of Greenwood.

September/October 4-H Newletter

Food Project Workshop this Thursday!

A great event for 4-Hers to come and experience what our Food Project is like. There is so many opportunities don't miss out!

Preparing for the Unexpected

There are continuous reminders that disasters can happen at anytime and any place and that each event is unique. Disasters can have natural causes, as well as disasters caused by accidents or terrorists.  Whatever the cause, being prepared can help lessen the effects of the crisis.  Although we can’t prevent disasters, we can reduce the risk of injury and even death by becoming informed.  First, each family should establish its own plan, which includes:

• Escape routes:  Know how to escape from each room of the house as well as from the neighborhood.
• Family communication:  Know how to contact each other in case of separation, and have a designated contact out of town/state whom everybody knows to call.
• Communication with emergency personnel:  Know who to call and keep their numbers near each telephone and cell phone.
• Utility shutoff and safety:  Know how to disconnect the home’s utilities in case of gas leak or fire.
• Insurance and other important records:  Keep copies of valuable personal papers in a safe place and a remote location.
• Special needs:  Know what extra steps to take for family members who are very young, very old or ill.
• Safety skills:  Learn how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid.
• Pet care:  Have a plan for emergency pet care.

Second, each family member should keep a disaster supply kit within easy reach.  Each kit should contain such items as:

• Water:  for at least three days and at least one gallon of water per person per day.
• Food items that require no refrigeration or preparation, such as peanut butter, nuts, dried fruits and protein bars.
• Clean air items:  nose and mouth protection masks with N-95 rating, plastic sheets and duct tape.
• Extra clothing:  at least one change of clothes per person, plus shoes and blanket.
• First aid kit: 
• Emergency items:  flashlight and extra batteries, battery-operated radio, whistle, shovel and basic tools, baby wipes, toilet paper, plastic garbage bags and maps.
• Special needs items if necessary:  baby food and formula, diapers, powdered milk, baby wipes, medications and supplies for dentures and/or contact lenses for adults.

            Maintain your kit.  Replace batteries every six months and replace food items according to expiration dates.

            Some disasters mean evacuating to a safe place.  Each family should pre-determine their options in that situation.  However, if local officials ask you to evacuate, do so immediately.  The authorities will not ask you to leave unless they determine that lives may be in danger.

            In Texas, help can be just a phone call away.  Keep these numbers close to each phone, including cell phones:

• Emergency 911:  the universal emergency telephone number in the U.S.
• 211:  Texas First Call for Help, for non-emergency information and referrals.
• Texas Poison control Center at (800) 222-1222.

            The publication, “Preparing for the Unexpected,” (B-6178) can be ordered on Extension’s online Bookstore at https://agrilifebookstore.org

            It’s never too early to start preparing for unexpected events, adding that these steps might mean the difference between life and death.

Get your calendars and write these down!!

Upcoming Agriculture Extension Programs

Reining Clinic

The Wise County Texas AgriLife Extension Horse Committee will be conducting a Reining Clinic September 21 beginning at 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  for area horseman.  The Clinic is provided by the Horse Committee at a very low cost of $25/rider.  The clinic is limited to the first 25 riders registered.

The clinician for the clinic will be Heather Young.   Heather began her life-long career with horses when she was three.  Showing all-around Horses for almost 20 years, she worked with all-around trainers throughout her teens.  In 1996 she decided to narrow her focus to reining horses.  Heather has a vast equine knowledge and her specialization encompasses training, coaching, showing, and selling horses domestically and internationally.  Heather is an AQHA and APHA Professional Horseman.   Heather is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English.  She is a life member of AQHA and APHA, member of NRHA, NSBA, NCHA, PHBA.

The Clinic will be held at Gordon Maatsch’s indoor arena.  For more information and to register for the clinic call the Extension office at 940/627-3394.

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Beef Cattle Mineral Supplement Program

The extension Livestock and Forage Committee will be hosting a beef cattle mineral supplement program for area producers.  Most beef cattle producers do a real good job at managing the cowherd except for mineral supplementation, including myself.  Even though I know it is one of the sure things that I can to do manage my cows for a profit it is hard to make sure that I keep it out free choice all the time. 

This program will be held on September 26^th at the Bridgeport Community Center (1102 Lawdwin Street in Bridgeport) beginning at 11:00 a.m. and will conclude at 1:00 p.m.  The featured speaker will be Dr. Jimmy L. Horner with Protocol Technologies.  Dr. Horner will talk about the importance of mineral supplementation and how to manage your mineral program for your operation.

The program will be free.  Lunch will be provided by Protocol Technologies.  Please RSVP to us by September 24^th to assist us with a meal count.  To register for the meeting please call the Extension office at 940/627-3394.

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Other upcoming programs to watch for is the “Herd Bull Selection and Reproductive Management” program that will be held on October 17th at the Decatur Sale Barn.  Also the 2^nd annual Wise County Stock Horse Extravaganza will be held on October 26^th and 27^th at the NRS arena.  Area stock horse enthusiast put those dates on your calendar.  More information on these programs will be coming soon.  If you are interested in either program you can call the Extension office at 940/627-3394.