MG Tour

Members of the Texas Agrilife Extension Service Master Gardener
Training Class have started with a field trip that gave an opportunity
to see many innovative and instructive garden demonstrations.

One of the stops was to the A&M Horticulture facilities. A few blocks
from the main College Station campus, the Horticulture Department
gardens are both beautiful and useful.

The beauty comes from the carefully designed beds of flowers, trees,
shrubs, and water features. They are all filled with plants appropriate
for the area, and even at the end of a hot summer, color was everywhere.
The facility effectively uses the “mound and mulch” philosophy to
produce their success. The gardens also serve as a useful research area,
so our Leon County gardener group saw such things as a dramatic group of
about ten varieties of ornamental peppers, each covered with huge crops
of colorful fruits.

Picture Caption:
Mika Lee with the Horticulture Gardens at Texas A&M tours the Leon
County Master Gardeners through the demonstration gardens.

Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service

Cow Country Congress

2008 Cow Country Congress
To Be Held in Walker County at Corlay
Farm & Cattle Co.
September 26th, 2008

Cow Country Congress is an annual multi-county event supported by the
Extension Beef & Forage Committees from Walker, Madison, Houston,
Trinity, Leon, Freestone and Anderson Counties. This educational
program rotates within the group of host counties each year. In
addition to the traditional seven county area, beef producers from
outside these counties are invited to attend this educational program.
Participants in attendance will have the opportunity to visit with a
variety of commercial exhibitors several times during the course of the
day between presentations, demonstrations, and tours of the host
property.

The 2008 Cow Country Congress program will meet at the Corlay Farm
& Cattle Co. located outside Huntsville at Dodge, Texas. The program is
scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2008. Corlay Farm & Cattle Co. is a
multifaceted agricultural enterprise owned by Dr. Jody Crawford of
Huntsville, TX. Dr. Crawford’s farm has been known in Walker County
for extremely high quality hay production, and intensive beef herd
management characterized by progressive reproductive practices. Dr.
Crawford’s interest in wildlife management has developed into a
variety of wildlife related enterprises and projects which will be
viewed on the ranch during the program. Corlay Farm & Cattle Co. has
had an ongoing quail management and re-establishment program for many
years and is now diversifying into Whitetail deer operations. Topics
discussed at this Cow Country Congress will include native grass
pastures, forage legumes, fertilizer alternatives, chute-side management
practices, and artificial insemination and embryo transfer options for
smaller cattle operations. This event will showcase truly outstanding
facilities for working both cattle and Whitetail deer.

Program registration will begin at 8:30 AM. The program will
begin with introductions at 9:00 AM.
Individuals interested in attending the 2008 Cow Country Congress should
R.S.V.P. prior to September 22nd to the Walker
County Extension Office (936) 435-2426, or one of the
other participating County Extension Offices from any of the seven
sponsoring counties. A registration fee of $15.00
per person will provide each participant a Steak Lunch with ALL the
trimmings! In addition to the benefits of a catered lunch,
on-site commercial vendors, and touring the ranch
operation, each participant with a Texas Department of Agriculture-
Pesticide Applicators License will be eligible for 2 hours of
Continuing Education Credits for renewal of their license.
Additional participant credit of 3.5 hours will be given for Beef
Quality Assurance (BQA) recertification. Directions and a printable map
may be downloaded from the Walker County Texas AgriLife Extension
Service web page at http://walker-tx.tamu.edu.

Provisions from the American Disability Act will be considered
when planning educational programs and activities. Please notify the
County Extension Office if you plan on attending an Extension
Educational program and need specialized services. Notification of at
least two weeks in advance is needed, so that we may have ample time to
acquire resources needed to meet your needs. Extension programs serve
people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex,
religion, disability or national origin. The Texas A&M University
System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners
Courts of Texas Cooperating.


Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service

Hunter Education

Texas Hunter Education Course

Hunter Education provides instruction in Texas hunting regulations, wildlife management and identification, conservation, ethics, firearm and hunting safety and responsibility, and outdoor skills.



Who is required to take Texas Hunter Education?

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 9 years and cost is $15.



If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:
* under 9 years of age, you must be accompanied*.
* age 9 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied*.

*Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17 years of age; who is licensed to hunt in Texas; who has passed hunter education, or who is exempt (born before September 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control.


Please note that some federally controlled areas require all hunters using that site to have hunter education certification. In Texas , this includes Corps of Engineers property and most military reservations. Be sure to check with the specific area prior to going hunting.

The traditional hunter education course averages 14 hours of instruction over two or more days. The cost is $15. Courses are offered across the state throughout the year and are taught by certified volunteer instructors. The Texas Cooperative Extension in cooperation with Centerville FFA and local game wardens will be providing a traditional training on August 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th at the Leon County Annex Grand Activity Room. Each night instruction will begin at 6:30 pm, and the exam will be given on the final night of training. Participants are required to pre-register by contacting the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Leon County at 903.536.2531. The training will have a limited amount of space and a seat can only be reserved by paying the $15.00 registration fee in advance. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System , U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.



In Christ,

MATTHEW TERRELL TOWNSEND

Lamb and Goat

All Leon County 4-H and FFA Members wishing to show lamb or goat projects at the Major Spring 2008 Shows in Texas need to order tags by contacting the Texas Agrilife Extension Service at 903.536.2531 by August 25, 2008. Each tag will cost $10.00 and the tags will not be ordered until payment is recieved. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.


Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service

Shooting Sports Kid's Kamp

On Wednesday July 16, 2008,Texas Agrilife Extension Service in Leon
County journeyed to Oakwood to provide a Shooting Sports Kid's Kamp for
local youth. Volunteer trainers for the event were Mike Port, Ron
Morelock, and Steve Meyers. Youth who participated in the event were:
Andy, Gatlynn, and Tobe Johnson, and Corbin Chandler of Centerville, Sam
Wogerer of Jewitt, Cameron Biddle of Normangee, and Steven Millar of
Oakwood. After learning safety practices and the rules of the range,
the outdoorsmen, had a brief lunch break and began firing rounds of
ammunition. The first event was 22 caliber rifle target shooting. The
youth received four practice and recalibration shots on the center
target and then unloaded two live fires at each of the five outside
targets. This miniature challenge was exciting for the youth in many
ways. The youth also worked on their shooting accuracy with high
powered pellet guns. With a target about the size of a closed fist, many
of the youth crushed their clays the first shot. If you desire a child
you know to get involved with kids camps this summer or 4-H Shooting
Sports in the spring months, please call the Texas AgriLife Extension
Service in Leon County at (903)536-2531. Extension programs serve of all
ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion,
disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas
Cooperating.



Pic Texas Agrilife Volunteer Mr. Mike Port Watches as 4-H member Andy
Johnson fires a round!









Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service

Special Notice

All Leon County 4-H and FFA Members wishing to show lamb or goat projects at the Major Spring 2008 Shows in Texas need to order tags by contacting the Texas Agrilife Extension Service at 903.536.2531 by August 25, 2008. Each tag will cost $10.00 and the tags will not be ordered until payment is recieved. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.




Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service

A Capitol Expierence!

From 1908 to 2008, the Texas 4-H program has asserted a century of excellence that can be traced from the cattle pastures of Leon County to the State Capitol itself. With a member population exceeding 600,000+ members, Texas 4-H represents interests ranging from agriculture and engineering to medicine and law. Thanks to the diligence of several 4-H members and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas 4-H Centennial has now exploded into the Senate and House Chambers of the State Capitol in Austin, Texas. The exchange of political views and ideals during July 13 through July 16 are aimed at helping the best and brightest of Texas to understand and be a part of the legislative process which will shape their lives. Texas 4-H Congress is the premiere leadership experience for Texas 4-H members between the ages of 15 and 18. Held on the even numbers years in the Texas State Capitol, Texas 4-H Congress allows 4-H members to experience the law making process first hand by writing, submitting, and then serving as a member of the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Press, or as a Lobbyist. From these roles, the 4-H members determine the faith of each bill submitted over the four day event. Leon County 4-H members Christi Cockrell, Will Mahaffey, Justin Pistone, Reagan Robertson and Agent Tommy Neyland participated in this event and had a wonderful opportunity.

Pic Caption:
Leon County 4-H Members Christi Cockrell, Will Mahaffey, Justin Pistone, Reagan Robertson and Agent Tommy Neyland

Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service