AGRIVIEW: Water quality workshop offered May 12 in Seven Points

Ongoing efforts to protect and enhance the water quality of Cedar Creek Reservoir will be boosted by a free one-day public workshop May 12 conducted by the Texas Watershed Steward Program.

The workshop will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cedar Creek Library, 410 East Cedar Creek Parkway in Seven Points.

Texas Watershed Stewards is a program of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.

This workshop is part of a statewide educational program designed to improve the quality of Texas water resources by educating and informing local citizens about their local watershed, potential impairments and steps that can be taken to help improve and maintain local water quality.

A watershed is a geographic area that drains into a common water body and is defined by topography, vegetation, human populations, land use and wildlife. Cedar Creek Reservoir is an important drinking water source, as well as a popular fishing destination. Some issues affecting the watershed include drought and water withdrawals, threats to habitats, flood plain management and management of aquatic vegetation.

This workshop will offer the public an opportunity to learn about the watershed approach. Water quality managers are now emphasizing the concept of overall watershed Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability religion, age or national origin.

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

The workshop will offer the public an opportunity to learn about the watershed approach. Water quality managers are now emphasizing the concept of overall watershed conditions as an indicator of the health of local waters.

The watershed protection plan developed by the partnership will be based on the results of watershed reservoir modeling, economic analyses and stakeholder inputs.

Workshop attendees will receive a catered lunch, copy of the Texas Watershed Steward curriculum handbook and a certificate of completion.

The program offers seven continuing education units in soil and water management for certified crop advisors and seven continuing credits for certified teachers. It also offers three general continuing education units for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders.

Participants may pre-register by contacting the Texas Watershed Steward program at http://tws.tamu.edu/ workshops/online-registration or by contacting the Henderson County Extension office at 903-675-6130.

Private applicator training/testing

Area agricultural producers will have the opportunity to complete training and testing to meet the requirements for obtaining a private applicator license at a program scheduled for Friday, May 7 at the Trinity Valley Community College Ranch Management Building in Athens. The training will begin at 8:30 a.m. followed by the testing.

Producers interested in the program should call the Extension office at 903-675-6130 by 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 3 to preregister.

To become a licensed private applicator, a producer must attend a Texas AgriLife Extension Service private applicator training program, make a passing score on a Texas Department of Agriculture (T. D. A.) Private Applicator examination and submit an application to T. D. A. along with a required $60 fee. The T. D. A. private applicator license is valid for 5 years.

Class participants are strongly urged to purchase a Private Applicator License Training manual. The manual and study worksheets are available at the County Extension office for $25.

For further information about the program, contact Rick Hirsch, Henderson County Extension Agent at 903-675-6130.

In an effort to aid in "Homeland Security" TDA requires license candidates to provide proof of identification before examinations will be administered. Acceptable forms of ID are valid Drivers Licenses, official military identification, or state ID cards.

Important dates:

• May 11 - Forage Field Day - 6 p.m. - Pine Ridge Ranch - Athens - $10.00/Person - 2 C. E. U.'s

• May 12 - Texas Watershed Steward Program - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Cedar Creek Library, 410 East Cedar Creek Parkway, Seven Points.

• May 13 - Lake & Pond Field Day - 6 p.m. - Wavy V Ranch - Malakoff - 2 C. E. U.'s - Bring lawn chairs and your dinner

• May 18

Farm and Ranch Tour - Buses depart at 9 a.m. - Cain Center - noon - Luncheon

• June 2 and June 3 Texas A&M 2-Day Horsemanship School - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Athens Riding Club Arena - Contact Hilary Grider-Henk at 903-849-2694 or easttexasyoungriders@yahoo.com for more information.

Rick Hirsch is the Henderson County Extension Agent - Agriculture for Texas

AgriLife Extension Service. Visit our web page at http://henderson-co.tamu.edu.