Hopkins County Agriculture
Report

 

Sent by Johanna Hicks
Agri-Life Extension Agent

 

AgriLife Extension Offers Courses for Small-Acreage Landowners       

Owners of small farms and ranches now have access to Web-based help for managing their land.  Four online courses designed for agricultural novices will be offered by Texas AgriLife Extension Service, according to Rebecca Parker, Dallas-based Regional Director of programs in agriculture and natural resources.     

The courses were organized to meet the demand for information from small-acreage landowners.  The USDA 2007 agriculture census figures show all farm or ranches under 100 acres in Texas rose from 48% in 2002 to 52.6% in 2007.  Farms or ranches smaller that 50 acres rose nearly 5% during the same period.     

New landowners are often city dwellers who buy rural property for retirement, as an alternative source of income or a lifestyle change.  Parker said that unlike traditional farmers and ranchers, the landowners have jobs that provide primary sources of income.  The small-scale farm and ranch operators search for information and educational opportunities concerning enterprise choices, basic production guidelines, marketing strategies and legal issues.     

The four course topics include resource inventory, beef cattle management, pasture management and enterprise budgeting.  The courses cost $50 each and are offered on the following dates: Resource Inventory: September 14-October 19 and November 30-December 30. Beef Cattle Management: July 27-September 4, October 4-November 13, and January 4-February 12 Pasture Management: July 6-August 7, August 14-September 14, and November 2-December 4 Introduction to Enterprise Budgeting: July 20-August 7, September 28-October 16, and January 11-29.      

Interested individuals can register for the courses at http://agrilifeevents.tamu.edu. 

Later in the year, AgriLife Extension plans to expand the course offerings to include "Horse Production" and "Rainwater Harvesting," according to Parker.  

 

Johanna Hicks
Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Hopkins County
Extension Agent - Family & Consumer Sciences
1200 Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 Phone: 903-885-3443
Fax: 903-439-4909
e-mail: jshicks@ag.tamu.edu