Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Industrial Hemp in Texas Seminar March 11

First Things – Considerations for Industrial Hemp in Texas

When: March 11 @ 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Where: Travis County East Service Center, 6011 Blue Bluff Road, Austin
Cost: Free


The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will hold educational seminars on industrial hemp production. The seminar, First Things – Considerations for Industrial Hemp in Texas, is organized by Calvin Trostle, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist, Lubbock. Dr. Trostle is conducting the seminar at multiple sites throughout Texas. Noel Troxclair, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, Travis County is hosting the Austin area seminar.

The program is set for March 11. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. registration with program from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Travis County East Service Center, 6011 Blue Bluff Road, Austin. No cost to attend. For more information, contact Noel Troxclair, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, Travis County, at 512-854-9600.

Dr. Trostle notes that “Texas hemp production will become legal within a few months,” with the “Texas Department of Agriculture anticipates opening the online application for licenses the week of March 16.”

Topics Covered
AgriLife Extension does not support or oppose hemp. The educational seminar is designed to provide resources and knowledge to make informed decisions about putting industrial hemp into production.

Seminar speakers will include Calvin Trostle; Bill Thompson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist, San Angelo; and local AgriLife Extension agriculture county agent Noel Troxclair.

Topics covered will include:

  • The background of industrial hemp.
  • Possible opportunities in industrial hemp for fiber, grain and cannabinoids/CBD.
  • Major issues surrounding planting and poor planting seed quality.
  • Preliminary agronomic considerations for production.
  • A short summary of proposed Texas Department of Agriculture rules for hemp.
  • Economic considerations and risks.
  • Comments and your questions and answers about industrial hemp.
  • For those who are unable to attend, more information about industrial hemp production can be found at https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/browse/hemp/

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Pruning Fruit Trees and Berry Canes Workshop at Gus Garcia Community Garden

Pruning Fruit Trees
February is the perfect month for pruning fruit trees and berry canes. Travis County Master Gardeners Reed Burnam, Joe Posern, and Sheryl Williams will be conducting a hands-on workshop on how to prune peaches, plums, pomegranates, figs, persimmons, loquats, and blackberries.

Please join us February 15, 2020 from 10am to 1pm. The workshop is held outdoors at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center Community Garden, 1201 E Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78753.

Space is limited, please reserve your spot here

The Gus Garcia Community Garden features vegetable beds and fruit. It is a great example of what can be grown in your backyard or neighborhood. The trees and berries planted in the garden were selected from recommended varieties for Travis County.

Here's What to Bring

You will need to bring your own tools and dress appropriately. The workshop will occur rain or shine.
  • Hat
  • Long sleeved shirt
  • Gloves
  • Coat/rain gear if needed
  • Rubber boots or closed toe shoes
  • Sunscreen if needed
  • Water
  • Hand pruners, loppers, and pruning saws that have been cleaned and disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol and are labeled with your name. Bring them all if you have them.

Liability Waiver Required

The Austin Parks Foundation requires each participant to sign their liability waiver form. You can download the form here. Please bring a signed copy with you.

Resources to Read Up On

Here is a list of resources you can review prior to the class. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and provide expert gardening advice to help you achieve success. You can find other great gardening resources on Our Favorite Gardening Resources for Austin and Travis County page.

Please allow time to stack brush at the conclusion of the workshop.

Questions? Please contact Sheryl Williams, 512-854-9600 or sheryl.williams@ag.tamu.edu

Friday, January 17, 2020

Gardening Seminar on March 7: Drought to Deluge, Creating the Resilient Central Texas Garden

Drought to Deluge in Central Texas
Lake Travis during drought and deluge. Photo courtesy of KXAN.

Date/Time: March 7, 2020  / 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where:  Austin Area Garden Center at Zilker Botanical Garden,  2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin 78746
Admissions: (credit card, cash or check):
  • Children (Ages 2 & Under) - Free
  • Youth (Ages 3-17) Austin Resident  $3.00, Non Austin Resident $4.00
  • Adults (Ages 18 - 61) Austin Resident $6.00,Non Austin Resident $8.00
Parking: Parking in the lot is very limited. Overflow parking can be found on Stratford Drive.

Gardening in Austin is tough. Texas meteorologist Isaac Monroe Cline reportedly said back in 1927 that “Texas is a land of perennial drought, broken by the occasional devastating flood.” The extremes of temperature and moisture coupled with the diverse geology of the region means that conventional gardening advice often doesn't apply.

Travis County Master Gardeners Sheryl Williams and Kirk Walden will discuss how to cope with weather patterns and how to work with the soil and gardening site you have. Additional topics include hydrozones, which are garden areas that have specific moisture requirements because of the plantings or natural factors, irrigation best practices and suggestions for a maintenance calendar.  This seminar will include a short walking tour of Zilker Botanical Garden to discuss its geology and water.

About the speakers: Sheryl Williams grew up on a farm and holds a degree in Agricultural Education from Oregon State University.  She is a Compost Specialist and has experience with food production, rainwater harvesting, permiculture, and growing native plants. Kirk Walden is a hands-on experiential gardener.  When he moved to Austin his home had virtually no landscaping, mostly just limestone and cedars.  His determination to beautify it led to an avocation as a serious gardener.