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Tree Care Advanced Training for Master Gardeners

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Master Gardener Tree Care Advanced Training

Conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Personnel,
Texas Forest Service Personnel and Tree Care Industry Professionals

Tree related questions are one of the primary things that make the phone ring in an Extension office. This training is designed to teach Master Gardener volunteers about landscape trees and troubleshooting common tree problems so they can serve county residents and extend the outreach of Extension programming into the community. The training is design to go above and beyond what you learned in the Master Gardener Training Course. Highly qualified instructors will provide advanced training in the classroom as well as outdoor demonstrations of tree care practices.

To learn more and apply visit the online registration at: https://dallas-tx.tamu.edu and follow the Horticulture and Master Gardener tabs

For more information contact the Collin County Extension Office at 214-904-3050 or Stephen.hudkins@ag.tamu.edu

 

 

Texas Fruit Growers Assocation – 2019 Spring Conference & Field Day

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The Texas Fruit Growers Association will be hosting their 2019 Spring Conference & Field Day March 1-2, 2019 at the Texas A&M University Horticulture Teaching, Research and Extension Center (https://goo.gl/maps/tFCSQM8uyg22). If you or anyone from your community would like to attend please see the attached flyer for more information or visit http://www.texasfruitgrowers.org/.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email corinne.rhodes@tamu.edu.

Small Farms & Vegetable Conference

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Small Farms & Vegetble Conference flier

 

The Horticulture Committee of Austin County will be sponsoring a Small Farms and Vegetable Conference on February 22nd at the Cat Spring Ag Society Hall. Registration will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. with the program to follow.

This year’s program will focus on fruits, nuts and bee production for South Central Texas, and strategies related to raising, marketing and the economics of production. The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last until about 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be served and there will also be several snack breaks built-in to help get the blood flowing again. There will be a guarantee of 3 CEU’s with a possible 5 CEU’s offered pending TDA approval.

Cost for the event is $30.00 per person, which goes to cover speaker materials, meal cost and the handouts. To pre-register for the event, contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Office of Austin County at (979) 865-2072, or visit our EVENT REGISTRATION page.

Open Full Sized Flier

 

Master Gardener Advanced Training – Vegetable

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The Master Gardener Specialist Program’s purpose is to provide advanced training whereby certified Master Gardeners can obtain specialization in areas that support or expand designed programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.  Applicants must posses a current Master Gardener certification.

The location of the training will be at the Research, Education and Demonstration Gardens at the new satellite office in Garland.

Link to Dallas County

Information & Application

Agenda

Local Master Gardeners Donate Cabbage Door Prizes

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Malcomb Harding with his cabbage

Master Gardener Malcolm Harding and his Dutch Flat cabbage.

Local Master Gardeners Malcolm Harding and Susan Yancey donated to the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association cabbages they grew and harvested from their gardens in Washington and Austin Counties, respectively.  The cabbages, all the Dutch Flat variety and planted in the Fall of 2018, were given away as door prizes at the Washington County Lunch-N-Learn program on Tuesday, February 6, 2019 in Brenham.  The Lunch-N-Learn programs are open to the public. Dr. Kevin Crosby of Texas A&M was the featured speaker about growing tomatoes in our area. A lunch time crowd of 60+ attended the session.  After each Lunch-N-Learn program in Brenham, Texas A&M AgriLife Agricultural Extension Agent Kara Matheney conducts a drawing for horticultural related door prizes.

Susan Yancey with cabbage

Master Gardener Susan Yancey and her Dutch Flat cabbage.

Master Gardener Advanced Training – Home Fruit Southern Texas

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Join the Gonzales Master Gardeners for the second Advanced Home Fruit Training – Southern Texas.  Since the climate in Texas is so diverse, this program will focus on fruit in the Southern half of the state.

Chaired by Monte Nesbitt, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialist, the course will offer an intensive training with a broad overview of fruit growing in Texas. Course will be held at 623 N. Fair Street in Gonzales, TX 78629. You must be a certified Texas Master Gardener and have your Extension Agent’s approval to participate.

Course Description: The Advanced Home Fruit Training–Southern Texas will prepare master gardeners to assist homeowners in selection, culture and protection in many of the fruits commonly grown in southern Texas landscapes. The course does not deal with production of fruits in commercial orchards.

Annual Fruit Tree Seminar & Fruit Tree Sale

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Pre-Order fruit tree form:  2019 BMGA Fruit Tree Sale Order Form.

Do you have or want a fruit tree, and have questions on how to get it to produce fruit?  Here is your chance to answer those questions and learn what is needed to have a successful and enjoyable experience.  This program will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Winedale Historical Complex, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History located at 3738 FM2714, Winedale, Texas; 4 miles from Round Top.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Winedale Historical Complex have collaborated to put an excellent demonstration orchard in place on the grounds.  This orchard has been a great asset to assist in demonstrating successful management of backyard, small-scale, sustainable, low-input orchards for homeowners interested in fruit tree production as an option for their property.

Speakers for the program will be Horticulture experts from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension with emphasis on home and small-scale commercial orchard production.  As long as the weather cooperates, the agenda for the day will include hands-on activities to demonstrate best management practices as they relate to fruit trees in the demonstration orchard.

This program is a multi-county effort lead by County Extension Agents in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington counties.  The registration fee is $20 per person and includes program proceedings as well as light snacks and refreshments.  Registration will begin at 1:00pm and the program will follow with an anticipated conclusion close to 5:00pm.  Participants who hold a private, commercial, or non-commercial pesticide applicators license will receive two (2) hours of continuing education in the general category.

As an added bonus during the training, the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association will have a pre-order sale for fruit trees.  Order forms are available at this program and online at  2019 BMGA Fruit Tree Sale Order Form. The pre-order fruit tree sale will offer a variety of reasonably priced fruit trees that are specially selected to fit the growing environment in South Central Texas.  Once the orders have been placed, Master Gardeners in each county will coordinate pick-up locations in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington counties.  The date for pick-up and payment will be determined and details will be sent to those who place orders in advance or at the Fruit Tree Program.  You may also email your pre-order form to koehlercp@sbcglobal.net.

For additional information or to register for the Fruit Tree Program please contact your local County Extension Office in Austin County, (979-865-2072), Colorado County (979-732-2082), Fayette County, (979-968-5831) or Washington County, (979-277-6212).

To learn more about the Winedale Historical Complex or to see additional directions please visit http://www.winedale.org.  As a reminder, this is an open aired facility so please dress accordingly and plan for the weather.

 

Master Gardener Training Class Open House-Brenham

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The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association, will host an open house in Brenham for those interested in the training classes which run from January 17, 2019 t0 April 23, 2019.   The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is a four-county Master Gardener Association covering Austin, Fayette, Colorado & Washington Counties, Texas.

***Please Note*** Classes will be on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in La Grange.

2019 Training Class Application Form_

Master Gardeners Hosting Two Open House Events

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The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Assocation, serving Washington, Fayette, Colorado and Austin Counties, is hosting two open houses the first week in January 2019. Cerfified Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about the Master Gardener Program and how they serve the community by assisting the area’s AgriLife Extension Agents in educating the public about gardening.  The Master Gardeners will accept applciations for the 2019 intensive training class which is required to acheive Master Gardener cerfitification.   The series of classes start January 17, 2019 and run through April 25, 2019 in La Grange.

The series of classes taught by experts in various area of horticulture consist of  both class room instruction and field trips.  Instruction consists of fact-based non-biased information about horticulture.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is the sponsor of  the Master Gardener Program in Texas and provides many of the expert instructors and resources for the training class.

Come find out more about whether the Master Gardener Training is for you by joining us at either the open house in Brenham on January 8, 2019 or in La Grange on January 1o, 2019

2019 Master Gardener Training Class Announced

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The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Assocation 2019 training classes begin January 17th in La Grange, Texas. The series consists of 50 hours of training held every Thursday until April 25th, 2019.  Master Gardener Carol Daniels of La Grange is the coordinator of the 2019 training program.  Ms. Daneils also coordinated the 2017 training class for BMGA. The class is designed for trainees from any of the four Bluebonnet Master Gardener counties of Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides the training material used by Master Gardener programs statewide.

This is a unique opportunity for individuals who are interested in horticulture and serving their community. Master Gardeners are trained in all facets of horticulture such as plant & soil science, entomology, plant pathology, fruit and vegetable gardening, and much more. Upon completion of their training, Master Gardeners will be required to give at least 50 hours of volunteer service time in their local community in order to receive the title of “Master Gardener”.

Two Open House dates have been set for January 2019 for anyone interested in learning more about the program.  These two events will provide a great opportunity to visit with current Master Gardeners, learn about projects in each of the counties, and enjoy a few Master Gardener goodies.

January 8, 2019 – 11:30am-1:00pm – Washington County Fairgrounds Sales Facility
January 10, 2019 – 10:00am -12:00noon – Fayette County Extension Office

2019 Training Class Application Form_

Training classes begin January 17th and will be held every Thursday through April 18th at the Fayette County Extension Office at 255 Svoboda Lane in La Grange from 8:30am-12:30pm.  Final assesment and graduation will be held April 23. Applications are available at the Fayette County Extension Office.  Class size will be limited, so to ensure your spot in the 2019 BMGA Training Class the application and payment of $175 must be turned into the Extension Office as soon as possible.

Come out and enjoy lots of wonderful refreshments and a chance to learn more about what all the Master Gardeners have to offer! For more information on the Master Gardener program, contact the Extension office at (979) 968-5831.

The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife.

The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in this meeting are encouraged to contact the Fayette County Extension Office at (979)968-5831 seven work days prior to the meeting to determine how reasonable accommodations can be made.

 

 

 

Specialist Training: Composter

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The Fort Bend County Extension Office is offering Specialist Training in Composting.   Watch this informative YouTube Video.

Information, Application & Agenda

Compost has benefits in our gardens and landscapes. Most people try what they think is composting but often end up with trash piles. This training is meant to help explain the correct way to home compost as well as the added benefits of its usages in the garden. It will include practical applications of composting for the home gardener with the science behind it all, which in turn, benefits us all and the environment we all live in.

The Master Gardener Specialist-Composter Training program is designed to train and certify Master Gardeners to become part of a state corps of Composter experts and educators. To become a certified Master Gardener Specialist-Composter, the Master Gardener is required to attend and complete the Master Gardener Specialist Training-Composter to fulfill training requirements and subsequently meet service requirements described below. Training activities during the course will empower Master Gardeners to complete these service requirements.

A Master Gardener Specialist–Composter is responsible for increasing awareness and for providing in composting for home gardeners.

Annual Fruit Tree Seminar & Sale – January 11, 2019

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2019 Fruit Tree Management

Pre-Order fruit trees. Click for the
2019 BMGA Fruit Tree Sale Order Form.

Do you have or want a fruit tree, and have questions on how to get it to produce fruit?  Here is your chance to answer those questions and learn what is needed to have a successful and enjoyable experience.  This program will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Winedale Historical Complex, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History located at 3738 FM2714, Winedale, Texas; 4 miles from Round Top.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Winedale Historical Complex have collaborated to put an excellent demonstration orchard in place on the grounds.  This orchard has been a great asset to assist in demonstrating successful management of backyard, small-scale, sustainable, low-input orchards for homeowners interested in fruit tree production as an option for their property.

Speakers for the program will be Horticulture experts from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension with emphasis on home and small-scale commercial orchard production.  As long as the weather cooperates, the agenda for the day will include hands-on activities to demonstrate best management practices as they relate to fruit trees in the demonstration orchard.

This program is a multi-county effort lead by County Extension Agents in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington counties.  The registration fee is $20 per person and includes program proceedings as well as light snacks and refreshments.  Registration will begin at 1:00pm and the program will follow with an anticipated conclusion close to 5:00pm.  Participants who hold a private, commercial, or non-commercial pesticide applicators license will receive two (2) hours of continuing education in the general category.

As an added bonus during the training, the Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association will have a pre-order sale for fruit trees.  Order forms will be available at this program and online at 2019 BMGA Fruit Tree Sale Order Form.  The pre-order fruit tree sale will offer a variety of reasonably priced fruit trees that are specially selected to fit the growing environment in South Central Texas.  Once the orders have been placed, Master Gardeners in each county will coordinate pick-up locations in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington counties.  The date for pick-up and payment will be determined and details will be sent to those who place orders in advance or at the Fruit Tree Program.

Please email the order form to Charlene Koehler at koehlercp@sbcglobal.net  or bring your order form to the seminar.  Payment will be due at the time of tree pick-up.

For additional information or to register for the Fruit Tree Program please contact your local County Extension Office in Austin County, (979-865-2072), Colorado County (979-732-2082), Fayette County, (979-968-5831) or Washington County, (979-277-6212).

To learn more about the Winedale Historical Complex or to see additional directions please visit http://www.winedale.org.  As a reminder, this is an open aired facility so please dress accordingly and plan for the weather.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host its popular annual Fruit Tree Seminar in Winedale on January 11, 2019.
The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association will host its fruit tree sale in conjunction with this seminar.