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Quarterly Report of Extension programs in Wichita County
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Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 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
Extension Education in Wichita County
Making a Difference in
2012
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has been dedicated to educating Texans
for nearly a century. In 1915, the agency was established under the federal Smith-Lever Act to deliver university knowledge and agricultural research findings directly to the people. Ever since, AgriLife Extension programs have addressed the emerging issues of the day, serving diverse populations across the state. Through a well-organized network of professional educators and some 100,000 trained volunteers, Extension delivers practical research-based knowledge to Texans in all 254 counties. Our expertise and educational
outreach pertain to the food and fiber industry, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, nutrition and health, and community economic development. Among those served are the hundreds of thousands of young people who benefit annually from Extension’s 4-H and youth development programs. Texans turn to Extension for solutions. Its agents and specialists respond not only with answers, but also with resources and services that result in significant returns on investment to boost the Texas economy. The agency custom-designs its programs to each region of the state, relying on residents for input and for help with program delivery. Here are just a few highlights of Extension’s impacts on this county and its people:
Wichita County – Summary of Educational Contact
Founded- February 1, 1858 Total Contacts 1,323,349
County Seat- Wichita Falls Site Visits 617
Area- Total 606 sq mi Phone Calls 822
Est. 2012 Population- 130,698 Mail/Email Contacts 672
Website 4,330
Radio & Television 67
Columns 50
News Releases 107
2012 Contact Hours Summary
Total Education Programs Conducted 260
Total Group Participants 6,170
Contact Hours 18,535
4-H Members 155
4-H Volunteers 176
4-H Clubs 6
White 83.4 % Black 10.9% Hispanic 17.2%
Producer Programs Start 2012 With An Eye On
Weather, Prices And Re-Stocking After The Drought
Bryan Rupp, area TV Meteorologist started the
day with a discussion on climate changes for
Texoma during the next decade.
Dr. Dave Lalman discusses potential changes to
ranchers herds and management changes they can
implement to lower risks.
The Cattle Trails Cow and Calf Conference was held on January 4. Given the drought conditions of 2011, the planning committee felt that ranchers should be informed of basic information for coming out of the drought and reinvesting in the cattle business. Each topic on the agenda addressed this basic theme. Approximately 110 participants attended the conference. Obviously, the participants were from Oklahoma and Texas. Based on evaluation results, the average participant managed 2,330 acres of pasture annually and ran a drought reduced 148 head of cows annually. The keynote speaker was Mr. Bryan Rupp, KFDX TV 3 Meteorologist from Wichita Falls, Texas. Mr. Rupp is a young professional that takes an interest in the area’s agriculture. While the short term and long term forecast was on everyone’s mind, Mr. Rupp also discussed how this area must adapt to a warming climate. As the day progressed, participants heard speakers from both Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service provide details of coming out of the drought, potential changes to the cow herd and reinvesting schemes after the drought. To finalize the program, participants were asked to provide their candid responses to an evaluation. Sixty six evaluations were returned. These results were compiled following the conference. Based on these results, 70 percent expected to, at least minimally, change their production and/or reinvesting plan based on the information they received at the conference. The financial impact of attending the Cattle Trails Stocker Conference was estimated to be $662 per respondent. In addition, the program received the 2012 Superior Achievement Award from Texas AgriLIFE Extension, recognizing its usefulness to area producers.
Wichita Falls Ranch and Farm Expo
Continues to Provide Educational
Programs For Producers And More
Buyers saw five breeds go through the sale ring on
Wednesday evening totaling nearly $80,000 and
setting a new high of $3,100 on a consignment from
Yandell Limousin.
This year’s edition of the Wichita Falls Ranch and Farm Show set new records for attendance, vendors and bull auction interest plus added a youth component. Over 130 producers attended each continuing
educational program over the two-event that earned
then pesticide applicator units from Texas or
Oklahoma plus Certified Crop Advisor units.
During the producers breakfast sponsored by Capital
Farm Credit, Helena Chemical and Winfield Solutions,
Gene Hall presented the kick-off address discussing
how producers need to discuss food production with
consumers. Henry Krusekopf then gave the laws and
regulation program; Fred Hall presented information
on drift management; Gerald Hobson spoke on insect
identification and control; and Dr. Todd Baughman
spoke on weed management.
On Wednesday afternoon Dr. Steve Hammack helped
producers understand the value of pedigree
information when selecting herd sires. That
knowledge was put to the test at the second annual
bull sale that evening. This year 33 bulls grossed
nearly $80,000. The top seller was a Limousin for
$3,100.
A new feature was the Horse Quiz Bowl Competition.
4-HTeams from Wichita and Wilbarger counties went
head-to-head in this first competition of the season.
Based on the same principals of the “academic bowl”,
these young women would often “ring in” before the
question was completely asked and rarely answered
incorrectly. Hat’s off to the Wichita team for winning
this year’s competition.
Thursday’s speakers included Gerald Hobson on
weed control in pastures; Daren Harmel on optimizing
fertilizer application for profitability; Stan Bevers with
a market outlook and Bryan Rupp with a discussion
on climate change.
Horse Quiz Bowl team members listen with buzzers
in-hand as the question is read.
Rep. Rick Hardcastle visited with radio
personality Joe Tom White during live talk radio
on the first morning of the Expo.
Cattle Trails Conference Addressed Producer Questions on Markets and Re-stocking And Introduced the Las Vegas Strip Steak to Rolling Plains Producers
Producers had the second opportunity in the
country to sample the Las Vegas Strip steak during
their luncheon.
Given the continuing and expanding drought
conditions, the Cattle Trails planning committee felt
that producers should begin planning early for wheat
planting and cattle procurement. The drought of the
Midwest was creating difficulties for all those
involved in the cattle industry.
Each topic on the agenda addressed this basic theme.
The participants were obviously from Oklahoma and
Texas, but some participants traveled from Arkansas
as well. Based on evaluation results, the average
participant managed 1,858 acres of pasture annually
and ran approximately 1,044 head of stocker cattle
annually.
Dr. Larry Sanders, Professor and Extension
Economist, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
provided an overview of the southern agricultural
economy and the impacts that the drought and policy
changes may have on area producers.
Dr. Chris Richards, also from Oklahoma Cooperative
Extension Service, provided details on his research
for management strategies or bull calves. These were
followed by two private industry speakers, Paul
Coleman, COO and Partner of Frontera Feedyard in
Muleshoe, Texas, and Dr. J.P. Pollreisz, veterinarian
with Pfizer, Inc., from Amarillo. Coleman spoke of
the current challenges faced by those in the feedlot
industry due to limited number of calves and the
impact that the national drought was having on feed
sources. Dr. Pollreisz provided an update on stocker
cattle health issues.
Lastly, Stan Bevers spoke on the market impacts on
the area’s profitability.
An added component to this conference was the
introduction of the Las Vegas strip steak to Texas
during the luncheon. The steak was detailed by Dr.
Tony Mata who was part of the team that developed
the steak from the chuck.
He presented it as a moderately priced steak that can
compete with more well-known steaks like the New
York Strip. Participants were surveyed following the
meal.
When producers were asked about the overall
acceptability of the steak, 85.4 percent of respondents
gave acceptable or extremely acceptable and 100
percent confirmed the steak was at least average.
When asked specifically about tenderness, the results
were even more amazing with 95.1 percent responding
that the steak was at least average for tenderness and
14.5 percent called the steak extremely tender– not bad
for a “moderately priced” steak.
After seeing the impact of the Flat Iron Steak on
carcass value nearly a decade ago, producers were
asked what they thought the new steak would add to
carcass value. One hundred percent of those
responding indicated it would have a positive effect
and 35.4 percent indicated they believed it would add
$2 to $4 to each carcass. Nearly five percent thought it
would add over $10 to the carcass.
To finalize the program, participants were asked to
provide their candid responses to an evaluation. Sixty-
five evaluations were returned. Based on these results,
48 percent expected to, at least minimally, change their
production and/or marketing plan based on the
information they received at the conference. The
financial impact of attending the 2012 Cattle Trails
Wheat and Stocker Conference was estimated to be
$6,408 per respondent.
This issue of the Cattle Trails Wheat and Stocker
Cattle Conference continued on the tradition of an
award-winning program for producers.
When the smoke cleared the judges had given
KFDX TV3 Weekend Anchor Mechell Dixon the
nod for champion showman at the first Texas
Oklahoma Fair Media Showmanship Showdown.
Eight contestants vied for the title Wednesday on
afternoon. Celebrity judges included Texoma
County host Mike Campbell; Wichita County
Precinct 2 Commissioner Barry Mahler; and
long-time TV, newspaper and radio personality
good ole’ Joe Brown. The master-of-ceremonies
was new AgriLife Extension Administrator Miles
Dabovich.
Seventy-three dogs and over 30 exhibitors
showed up for the first-ever Red River Cattle
Dog Trial held during the Fair. In these timed
trials, dogs tried to move three head of cattle
through four obstacles. The pattern mimics how
cattle are worked on ranches and in feed yards.
Officials from the sanctioning associations hope
it will become an annual event.
Bragging rights for the hay contest at the Fair
were earned by Eddie Moer from Windthorst.
Judge Marty New from Oklahoma Extension
reviewed the entries.
The reserve champion came from the wheat hay
entry by Mike Yandell from Wichita Falls. This
was the first hay show at the Texas Oklahoma
Fair in over a decade.
This was the first year for these event s which
helped to promote the livestock and horse
events during the week of the Texas Oklahoma
Fair.
Extension Brings New Events To Texas Oklahoma Fair
Grand Champion honors at the first Media Showmanship Showdown went to Mechell Dixon from KDFX TV 3. Included in the photo are (L-R): Master-of-Ceremonies Miles Dabovich, Texas A & M AgriLife Extension Service District Extension Administrator; event judge, Commissioner Barry Mahler, Precinct 2 Commissioner; American Quarter Horse, owned by Mandy Smail; Champion Media Showman Mechell Dixon; judge Mike Campbell, Texoma County host; and judge Joe Brown, TV and radio icon.
The grand champion at the new hay contest was won by Eddie Moer from Windthorst on a bale of costal berumdagrass with a relative forage quality (RFQ) of 163
Master Gardeners Enhance Kell House with Bridal Garden Project
Master Gardener Project Co-Chairman Betty
McCully (center) ponders the next move during the
first day of the creation of the Bridal Garden at the
Kell House with design-originator Arthur Bea
Williams, Master Gardener Joann Plaxco and Ann
Funston, Heritage Committee, Kell House Board.
White flowers, a variety of green foliage and the
earthy red and gray tones from the re-cycled
bricks and garden pavers give a quite charm that
will be a great back-ground for wedding
photographs.
Once the design was decided on for the Bridal Garden in the Master Gardener project at the Kell House, volunteers with shovels and wheel barrows sprang into action. In keeping with the nuance of a bridal garden, only white flowered plants were put into the design and the Master Gardeners stayed true to their belief of re-cycling, sustainability and water-efficient plants. Each planting was also considered as to how it would look in the “camera’s eye” in hopes of promoting the garden as part of the ambiance of the Kell House in hosting weddings under the pergola. The design was created by MG Arthur Beas Williams and captured the notion of entwined-hearts in bricks and a combination of annuals and perennials. A plant list was created and the initial plantings boasted Crape Myrtles, roses, and petunias among others. Master Gardener Project Leaders Betty McCulley and Rae Paris have partnered with several volunteer groups including the airmen from Sheppard Air Force Base and the Wichita Falls PALS. To date, over 700 man-hours have been donated to the project.
The final step was to tie the garden into the existing irrigation system and then mulch the bed, This included a educational program by the licensed irrigator installing the system.
Wichita County Master Gardeners
Earn State Association Awards
Local Awards Committee Chairman Jackie Godwin (center right) help Master Gardeners
Virginia Krebs (left), Jeff Smith (center left) and Mary Barry display state awards earned
during the 2012 Annual Texas Master Gardener Conference in San Antonio. The local
association earned second place in the small association mass media division for their weekly
feature in the Times Record News; Second place in the individual achievement division for the
explementary work done by Mary Barry; and third for the regional educational program.
“Living Well With Less Water in Texoma”.
Master Gardener Arthur Bea Williams (center) shows volunteer airmen where
to make changes as the project came to life. Williams created the entwined-heart
design and the airmen were an eager source of help with the physical labor.
The “camera-view” from the pergola with white roses in the
foreground and the entwined-hearts centered against white
crape myrtles will mature and change every season.
Wichita County Master Gardeners Help Bring Record-Breaking Crowds
to Home and Garden Show With Top-Notch Speakers Program
This year’s educational program on Saturday saw over 100 in attendance during each session– a record for recent years and a fitting tribute to the 15th anniversary edition of the show. Dr. Bill Welch kicked-off the day talking about tough perennials that survived last year’s drought. Then KFDX Metergolist Bryan Rupp spoke on why last year happened and how he sees the climate changing in the next 50 years.
Sharing a booth with Texas Forest Service make promoting
FireWise Landscaping easier plus it had it’s perks– everyone
could shake Smokey’s hand! Smokey is shown with Texas
Forest Service’s Mary Kay and Wichita County Master
Gardener Association Vice-President Jason Cooper.
Judy Barrett was up after the noon hour and talked about growing herbs and heirloom plants in this part of Texas.
Square foot gardening was the topic at 2 p.m. presented by Julie Whitis, a certified square-foot gardening instructor.
The final program on Saturday was Purina Mills Educator Jill Harbour. She spoke on raising backyard chickens.
For this year’s booth, the Master Gardeners partnered with the Texas Forest Service to help promote Firewise Landscaping. In 2010, the local Master Gardeners hosted a Firewise specialist training with over 20 Master Gardeners attending the three-day training. After the training, they created a power point program for citizen training that is segmented to be useful in situations from a 15-minute introduction to a multi-hour seminar to given urban home-owners training in how to make minor changes that can have a big inpact on protecting their home from wildfire. Since then the specialists have presented the program over a dozen times to hundreds of citizens. In addition to having Firewise material in the booth, Master Gardeners gave away free seeds and answered hundreds of citizen questions.
Expanded signage and more floor space gave the
tradition “gazebo” a more open and inviting look even
with the addition of the Texas Forest Service material.
New Extension fact sheets were also included.
Speakers Bill Welch (seated) and Judy Barrett took time
to visit with “the folks” at the Home and Garden Show.
Over 12,000 attended the regional two-day event
according to show officials.
Texoma Horse Expo Excites Citizens With
Jousting Plus Shows and Educational Events
The Black Knight challenged all comers during the Saturday
evening jousting show at the Texoma Horse Expo. The
Extension Horse Committee fund-raiser brought the
KnightsEdge Troupe with Patrick Lambke to Wichita Falls
for a first-time ever jousting and renaissance show as an
entertainment program that added a new dimension to the
slate of equine events.
For over 25 years the highlight for many Texoma horse
enthusiasts is the annual Texoma Horse Expo held each
October.
The iconic event has featured the Texoma Futurity and
classic shows over the years but has seen a make-over
during the past several years. And apparently, Texoma
horsemen like the changes as the crowds are growing.
For the second year, the event has included an educational
program, a model horse show and the Parade of Breeds and
Breeders Alley.
This year’s Friday night program featured top cowboys
from local ranches demonstrating their methods for starting
a young horse. Three individual cowboys started the
evening show with a barely halter-broke horse and worked
their magic until they rode each horse at the conclusion of
the two-hour program.
During the program the emcee walked the crowd through
the action in each ring and allowed the crowd to ask
questions.
On Saturday, congruent with the Futurity Show, the
Texoma Model Horse Show gave visitors a chance to see
unique model horses exhibited. This show has more than
doubled in numbers in just two years and has turned into a
full day competition.
Over the noon hour break, visitors enjoyed the Parade of
Breeds demonstration in the arena. Representatives of seven
breeds not usually seen at Texoma horse shows took to the
ring with music and pageantry showing off their best
attributes.
But the real star of this year’s Expo was the jousting and
renaissance program held on Saturday evening. This
Wichita County Extension Horse Committee fund-raiser
brought KnightsEdge jousting troupe to Wichita Falls for
the first time. With four knights and five horses plus
assistants and all the trappings of jousting, the crowd
enjoyed the two-hour performance.
On Saturday, the Texoma All Breeds Horse Show
Association final point show of the season was held. The
largest show in recent years, it saw over 60 horses exhibited
in nearly 70 classes.
On Sunday evening local barrel racers took to the arena for
the finale of the Expo.
Chincoteague Pony “Pie” and owner Sarah Fung,
wowed the crowd with the intelligence of the breed.
This year's Wichita County Pecan Show featured 19 entries from ten area growers with Dr. Bill Ree, Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service serving as the judge.
Each class winner received a blue class ribbon and division champions will receive a plaque. Six samples were tagged by Judge Ree to continue on to the Central Texas Regional Show at Kerrville on December 12, 2012.
The show has three divisions: classic and new, commercial and natives. In the classic and new
Pecan Seminar and Show Helps Homeowners and Producers
Local CEU Program For Parks, Schools and County
Employees Continues To Save Tax Dollars For the past two years Wichita Extension has held a CEU program in October geared to county, city and school employees who have the responsibility of maintaining parks, athletic fields, home landscapes and bar ditches. Not a wheat or cotton program, this training is focused directly at the needs of vegetative management in turf.
The five CEU program included credits on laws and regulation, drift management, integrated pest management and general categories.
The political sub-divisions and schools benefit
division, James Whitaker won champion with is Posednick and Judy Maenza had reserve with a variety seedling.
In the commercial division, Tom and Mary Golden won champion with a sample of Pawnee pecans and Jake Montz had reserve with a sample of Nacono.
In the native division, Mike and Jean Payne had champion and Larry Hardin had reserve. Our youngest exhibitor, Sadie McWhorter received the lightest pecan award.
by not having to send employees out of the county and the employees like having a program built around their needs. In addition, the cost of the program has remained at $25.
Again this year the program was a combination of live instructors and webinar programing with the instructor remaining on the Texas A&M campus.
In surveying the attendees we found 100 percent completely satisfied with the material and instructors plus they would recommend the program to others.
Sports and Athletic Field Management Program Helped Quell The “Put
More Water On It” Mentality After last year’s drought, weeds and insects have came on like gangbusters for turf managers in
Texoma. A seminar that covers those special needs plus turf grass varieties, insects, weeds and best
management practices was held on Wednesday, April 4 in Wichita Falls.
Dr. James McAfee, Associate Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist presented the program.
His main emphasis was to develop turf management programs that require fewer inputs of fertilizer,
pesticides and water; evaluate new turfgrass varieties for use in home lawns, golf courses and sports
fields.
There were three continuing education units offered with this program for licensed Texas private and
Sports and Athletic Field Management Program Helped Quell The “Put
More Water On It” Mentality After last year’s drought, weeds and insects have came on like gangbusters for turf managers in
Texoma. A seminar that covers those special needs plus turf grass varieties, insects, weeds and best
management practices was held on Wednesday, April 4 in Wichita Falls.
Dr. James McAfee, Associate Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist presented the program.
His main emphasis was to develop turf management programs that require fewer inputs of fertilizer,
pesticides and water; evaluate new turfgrass varieties for use in home lawns, golf courses and sports
fields.
There were three continuing education units offered with this program for licensed Texas private and
commercial pesticide applicators. Over 20 individuals from four counties attended the program.
After last year’s drought, weeds and insects have came on like gangbusters for turf managers in Texoma. A seminar that covers those special needs plus turf grass varieties, insects, weeds and best management practices was held on Wednesday, April 4 in Wichita Falls.
Dr. James McAfee, Associate Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist presented the program. His main emphasis was to develop turf management programs that require fewer inputs of fertilizer, pesticides and water; evaluate new
turfgrass varieties for use in home lawns, golf courses
and sports fields.
of fertilizer, pesticides and water; evaluate new turfgrass varieties for use in home lawns, golf courses and sports fields.
There were three continuing education units offered with this program for licensed Texas private and commercial pesticide applicators. Over 20 individuals from four counties attended the program.
Extension And United Way Partner To Bring Language Development Program To Wichita Falls The North Texas Child Care Association partnered
with United Way to host a language development
program for parents of children 0-5 years of age at
Washington-Jackson Elementary School and then
offered a more in-depth training to child care
providers in a cooperative effort with Region 9.
Over 100 parents and child care providers received
the training on December 14 & 15.
Participants enjoyed a light meal before the
workshop. In addition, there was free child care
available.
Attendees learned that children who are
consistently exposed to a variety of language uses and forms develop more effective language skills
and a larger vocabulary- both are important to their academic and social success. Cathy Cole from
Kaplan Early Learning Company was the presenter.
In this workshop participants developed an understanding of appropriate language modeling practices
to intentionally encourage, expand on and respond to children's speech. Working through both small
and large group activities and discussions, parents will learn to develop and enhance their skills and
abilities in asking open-ended questions, using self-talk and parallel talk, promoting child-initiated
conversations and the use of advance language.
This workshopwas hosted in Wichita Falls by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Wichita County,
the North Texas Area United Way, the North Texas Child Care Association and Region IX Education
Service Center.
Extension Child Care Assn. Continues To Train Child Care Providers As an AgriLife Extension project, the North Texas Child Care Association continues to offer over two
contact hours of training each month and certifies the hours and continuing educational units for the
membership. The elected association officers manage the business and membership plus organize
the training and presenters under the AgriLife Extension guidelines.
The monthly programs reachs over 40 day care providers each month and the association has seen
unprecedented growth during the last six months of 2012.
Curriculum Enrichment: Maranda continues to organize Generation Green,
Progressive Agriculture Youth Safety Day and Kids,
Kows & More reaching over 2000 Wichita County
students. Program partners in 2012 included
Sheppard Air Force Base, Lake Arrowhead State
Park, Wichita County Master Gardeners, NRCS,
River Bend Nature Center, USGS, Wichita-Wilbarger
911, Wichita County Storm Chasers, Texas Farm
Bureau, multiple local FFA chapters, Red River
Authority, Atmos Energy, Breland Health and Fitness
Center, Wichita Falls Fire Department and United
Regional Health Care System.
Other curriculum enrichment programs include Hatching in the Classroom, Chicks and Ducks, Junior
Master Gardener, Take A Stand Against Bullying, Something’s Fishy, Wildlife Success Stories and
Predators in the Classroom.
Wichita County Extension Office partnered with
Region 9 Education Service Center and several
other county offices to offer a teacher in-service
training covering a wide variety of opportunities
offered. Seventeen educators attended. All
teachers were eager to attend again and offered
valuable insight as to what is needed in the
classroom.
4-H Club News: 4-H Marketing & Promotion continued through Television, Radio, Newspaper & Social Media.
Currently, 7 4-H Clubs are chartered in Wichita County; Explorers 4-H, Valley View 4-H, Actors
Creating Together (A.C.T.), Adventures 4-H, Wichita All Around, Burkburnett 4-H and Force Four 4-H
(Sheppard Air Force Base). Members and families are kept up to date through Wichita 4-H Notes, a
monthly newsletter that includes upcoming events and activities, congratulations, and club
announcements. A 4-H tab is also set up on the Wichita County Extension website which includes
the 4-H newsletter and calendar and upcoming event information.
An annual achievement banquet was held on July 27, 2012. 4-H members were recognized for
project work and Star awards were presented.
The Hatching in the Classroom:
Duck Edition program is an extension of the yearly Egg to
Chick program. The Duck Edition was originally funded by a
grant from the Wichita Falls Area Junior League. Eighty-
eight 2nd grade students discovered the developmental
process of ducklings, the types of feathers, breeds of ducks
and conducted an experiment to blow hollow eggs. Many
ducklings were adopted by local families and others placed
in homes with the help of a local feed store.
4-H Food Challenge:
The 4-H Food Challenge was introduced as a new contest in
2010 and showed huge potential. In 2012 in Wichita County
4-Hers organized four teams made up of 11 participants.
Youth are encouraged to study recipe preparation, food and
cooking safety, healthy alternatives and personal dietary
requirements. Two teams advanced to the district contest.
Between monthly programs and the annual Texas A&M Horsemanship Conference, young horse enthusiasts have had many opportunities to hone their skills for a summer of horse shows and competitions. The Texoma All-Breed Horse Show Association youth "Ready, Set, Show" clinic on April 22 at the Whispers of Hope Horse Farm gave young equestri
Horsemanship Training Helps Youth Focus
On Responsibility And Perseverance
TABHSA Youth Coordinator Tracey Hayden and her horse
“Arthur” sport the same smile during a clipping demonstration at
the first “Ready, Set Show” clinic on April 22. The team
approach to the clinic gave each presenter the chance to focus the
class on their particular specialty in grooming the complete
horse..
The Wichita County Junior and Senior Horse Quiz Bowl teams
swept the District 3 contest in May and will represented D3 at
the state contest at Lubbock in June to a second place finish. The
Junior team included Mikah and Claire Slater plus Taylor
Wilson. The Senior team includes Allison Wilson plus Noel
Dillard and Larissa Dillard.
ans an opportunity to learn how to fit a halter and trim and band manes to improve the appearance of the head and neck. They also learned how to dress and groom themselves for the show ring. TABHSA Youth Coordinator Tracy Hayden enlisted local professionals to help with the program and had horses available to work on. Fourteen youth and ten adults attended the program.
Twenty two youth and adults received training from Texas A&M equine professionals at the annual clinic in Wichita Falls in June.
AgriLife Extension Teaches Benefits of Local Foods
At the 2012 Texas Downtown Development and Revitalization Conference Extension partners joined the Wichita County Ag Agent Fred Hall in sharing the local activities during the Food Network program. Helping to highlight the Culinary and Agri-Tourism events of the area, Frank Cordero, Director, Vernon College Culinary School, Becky Morath, Owner, Morath Farms and Hall each discussed activities ranging from Farmers markets, community gardens and farm-to-market tastings at local restaurants. Each aspect contributes to downtown and commercial district growth while supporting local businesses.
Master Gardener Bonnie Jones talks to Wichita Farmers
Market visitors about raised-bed gardening during one
of the educational programs held monthly at the
market.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Wichita County
Staff
Fred M. Hall, Agriculture and Natural Resources County Extension Agent Maranda Revell, 4-H and Youth County Extension Agent Vicki McWhorter, Office Manager
Contact Us Courthouse Annex 600 Scott, Suite 200 Wichita Falls, TX 76301 Phone: 940.716.8610 Fax: 940.716.8615 E-mail: wichita@tamu.edu Website: wichita-tx.tamu.edu
4-H
Wichita County 4-H
Master Gardeners
Wichita County Master Gardeners
Txmg.org/Wichita/
Horse Committee
Texoma All Breed Show Horse Assn.
www.wf.net/~wcehc/
North Texas Child Care Assoc.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Texas-Child-Care-Association-NTCCA/237731039585503
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