TEEA Conference Results

Six Wise County Extension Education members represented Wise County at the District 3 TEEA Conference Tuesday, April 22 in Haskell. Those attending were Dixie Range, Rosa Martinez, Feliberto Martinez, Suzy Willeford, Janice Millican, and Linda Hood.   Activities focused on speakers, silent auctions, and a cultural arts contest. Nancy Robinson Masters, award winning journalist, inspired attendees to appreciate the freedom and privilege of living in the United States of America.  

Gerry Galloway was honored with the Rolling Plains District 3 Texas Treasure Award. The Texas Treasure Award pays special tribute to members who have made a difference in their communities through their TEEA work. Nominated by fellow Greenwood Extension Education (EE) Club members, Gerry has been an active member of the EE Club for eleven years.

Additional highlights included, Dixie Range’s election to serve a two year term as Rolling Plains District Director elect before taking on District Director duties in 2015. She will work closely with the District Director in serving as a channel of communication between the State TEEA Board of Directors and the District.

The cultural arts contest also saw winners from Wise County. This contest strives to establish a broader understanding and awareness of arts and to envision individual growth, inspiration, and enrichment through participation in varied forms of art.  Wise County winners included: Marilynn Collins-1^st place with her Oopsie Daisy quilt; Anna Wattingney- 1^st place with a Red Hat Scrapbook; and Gerry Galloway- 1^st place with machine embroidery hooded towels.  As a result of their wins, Marilynn, Anna, and Gerry will be representing Wise County at the State Cultural Arts competition in September.  Receiving 2^nd  place with her Christmas Wreath was Janice Millican. Bobbie Ashley also participated in the Cultural Arts competition.

The mission of the Texas Extension Education Association is to work with Texas AgriLife Extension Service to strengthen and enrich families through educational programs, leadership development and community service. Membership is open to adult Wise County residents regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or nationality. You are encouraged to visit the Greenwood Extension Education Club in the community of Greenwood as they meet every fourth Friday, 11 am at the Greenwood Fire Hall.

For more information on the Texas Extension Education Association, call the Extension office at 627-3341.

Weeds in Pasture and Hay Fields

It has been a good year for weeds.  Weeds cost ranchers in Texas millions of dollars in lost production each year because they rob desirable forages of moisture and nutrients.  This is the time of year we usually apply herbicides to our summer pastures for broad leaf weed control and a few troublesome grasses.  With the ongoing drought it is even more important to utilize all the moisture we have recently received towards forage production.  The weather forecasters continue to predict we are not done with the drought yet.  That magnifies the importance of producing maximum forage with limited rainfall we receive.

       Because of the increased high winds we face in the spring, it has kept custom applicators behind but it’s not too late to apply herbicides and still achieve good control.  Costs for herbicide plus application range from $4 - $25 per acre depending on the herbicide used and rate.  Research has shown that for every one pound of weeds killed can produce up to four pounds of forage. Used in combination, herbicide and fertilizer can significantly increase more grass production.  However, herbicide alone increases grass production more than fertilizer alone.  If you have fields free from weeds, fertilizer alone is the right choice. 

            Producers are lucky in that several herbicide choices are out there that do not require a pesticide applicator license for the purchase. 

            I get questions every year about mowing weeds.  According to Texas A&M Trials, mowing cost $10 to $15 per acre, or about the same as herbicide.  One difference, mowing doesn’t improve grass production since it won’t kill the weeds. 

            Pastora herbicide is used for grassbur control.  It is recommended as a post emerge application at about 1 oz. per acre.  No license is required.

            If you haven’t applied your weed killer yet, get a plan together to spray or contact your custom applicator today to get on their list or get your sprayer calibrated and ready for the next wind free day. 

For more information please call Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Wise County at 940-627-3341.

Top Winners Named at District Fashion Show

This past week, Wise County 4-H’ers competed in the Rolling Plains District 3 4‑H Fashion Show held April 12 in Newcastle, Texas.  Cotton Awards, donated by the Rolling Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. were given to the best cotton garments in the construction and buying categories in each division.

Participants in the District Fashion Show have completed a series of lessons in clothing and textiles and have sewn or bought a garment. The project teaches basic clothing construction, grooming techniques, leadership skills and consumer education.  A Fashion Storyboard Category teaches youth design elements.

The Senior 4-H’ers that represented Wise County were:

Fallon Sachse – 1^st Place in Construction- Semi-formal to Formal;

Christian Cross – 2nd Place in Buying- Fantastic Fashions under $25; and 1^st place Cotton Award

Lyndi Luttrull – 1st Place in Buying- Business/Interview Attire

The Intermediate 4-H’er that represented Wise County was:

Lauryn Luttrull- 1^st Place in Buying- Everyday Living

The Junior 4-H’ers that represented Wise County were:

Angelina Newbold – 1st Place in Construction- Everyday Living;

Allie Tribe – 4^th Place in Construction-Popover Skirt and 1^st place Cotton Award

Julyssa Cantu - 1^st Place in Buying-Everyday Living

Riley Maggret - 1^st place in Buying–Special Interest

4-H’ers that competed in the Fashion Story Board competition were:

Anne Marie Wells – 1^st Place in Senior Wearable;

Fallon Sachse – 1^st Place in Senior Jewelry;

Mikayla Martinets – 1^st Place in Senior Pet Clothing;

Delaney Ingram – 2^nd Place in Intermediate Wearable;

Malachi Martinets – 1^st Place in Intermediate Accessory; and

Mariah Martinets – 1^st Place in Intermediate Non-Wearable.

Congratulations to all of these 4-H’ers.

Walk Across Texas Newletter

Annual Coop Tours

            One hobby that continues to grow in interest is the raising backyard chickens. This stems from families having the desire to grow their own food and from youth bringing home chicks from their classroom’s Egg to Chick project. Either way we are excited that we are in the middle of a chicken frenzy around here!

            Join us for the 4^th Annual Wise Chicks Coop Tour on May 3rd! The day will start out with a presentation by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension staff on “Raising Chickens 101” at 10am at the Women’s building at the Wise County Fair Grounds. Maps will be provided at the end of the educational session and participants are encouraged to continue on will a self-guided Coop tour throughout the county.

            All locations will be marked with yellow coop tour signs so keep your eyes out. The best part about the tour is that each coop and the chicks that reside there are different! This event is fun for the whole family especially since raising chickens is not a project limited by age.

            If you have questions, please get in touch with tour organizer, Susan Simich, by calling 940-225-4740 or on the website: http://wisechickcooptour.com.